MAGNOLIA SPRINGS — Competitive angling, fresh-fried mullet and tasty sides, kid-friendly activities, and a rising Nashville band combine for a day of fun for a good cause on Saturday, October 24.

The annual St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel Speckled Trout Invitational in Magnolia Springs begins before dawn and continues at 2 p.m. with the Weigh-In Party and Fish Fry.

All events are open to the public, and you or someone you love (or love to tease) could be the fishing rodeo queen.

The tournament begins 6:30 am with a shotgun start at Bemis Bay on the Magnolia River after the Blessing of the Boats by St. Paul's rector. Gathering in Bemis Bay is optional — anglers may begin to fish at or after 6:30 am in the Magnolia River, the Fish River, Weeks Bay, or Mobile Bay.  Weigh-in will be between 2 and 3:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel 14755 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs, AL  36555. 

The Invitational’s $100 boat entry fee includes two anglers; the fee for each additional adult angler is $50, each child under 12, $25.  Cash prizes will be given in the adult division: speckled trout, $500, $300, and $200; slot redfish, $250; and white trout, $250.  The top three anglers in the junior division will receive merchandise prizes.  

This year's Invitational also includes the Bishop's Cup competition for Episcopal anglers. For an additional $10 entry fee, anglers who are members of Episcopal churches can compete for the Bishop's Cup trophy and a free boat entry in the 2016 tournament. Entry fees for the Bishop's Cup will go to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund.

The Weigh-In Party and Fish Fry will run 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and is a family-friendly event including live music by the Americana group Blue Mother Tupelo (bluemothertupelo.com).  St. Paul's will also raffle a variety of prizes, from artwork to fine dining to fishing lures.  Meals at the Weigh-In Party and Fish Fry are $12 for adults, $8 for children. Meal tickets are available at the door, or in advance by calling St. Paul’s at 251-965-7452.

Prior to the event, everyone can nominate and vote for their candidates for fishing rodeo queen at “ballot boxes” in the parish hall at St. Paul’s and in Jesse’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs. Every dollar donation counts as a vote, and the candidate with the most votes will reign over the tournament and help award the prizes.  Anyone can be queen—there are no age or gender restrictions.

This is an amateur tournament, not open to professionals or guides. There will be a captains’ meeting on the Thursday evening before the tournament. For more information or to get an entry form, call St. Paul's at 251-965-7452 or email stpaulstourney@gmail.com. Entry forms are available for download from Facebook from the "Files" tab on the St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel Speckled Trout Invitational page.

Proceeds from the Invitational, party, and queen election will go to support St. Paul’s mission and ministry. Sponsors of the tournament include Freeman Collision; Doug Ward & Co. LLC; United Bank; Houser Maintenance and Construction; Big Daddy's Grill; J & M Tackle; Storage Plus and Talponia Books. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; call St. Paul's at 251-965-7452 or email stpaulstourney@gmail.com.