FINAL

Agriculture and Outdoors

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FISHING FINALE

Bassmaster tour returns to Oklahoma with successful event on Arkansas

By Jake Sermersheim jsermersheim@tahlequahdailypress.com

Oklahoma and the Bassmaster tour have become very familiar to both residents and visitors over the past three years.

Starting with the Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake, the tour has featured three top-notch Oklahoma fisheries to a huge crowd of interested Oklahomans. After the biggest event in bass fishing came in 2024, Bassmaster brought its Elite Tour to Lake Tenkiller and the Arkansas River in 2025 and 2026.

The most recent event in Muskogee, on the Arkansas River, was another successful event, with more and more fans

River

showing up to weigh-ins each day.

“You look at the crowd out there and the roar whenever I get on stage,” Oklahoma’s Jason Christie said. “It puts a little pressure on you, but not really. Everyone out there watching social media and stuff knows how I fish. I mean, I don’t mess around.”

Christie finished in fourth place to highlight his finishes in Oklahoma events over the past three years.

The eventual winner, Jacob Foutz, claimed the prize as his first in his professional career and couldn’t help but shed some tears in front of the roaring crowd.

“I didn’t think I had [anything special], but I figured it out as the tournament went on,” Foutz said. “My

great-grandma was my biggest fan and I promised her I would bring back a trophy. I said to myself, ‘Grandma, if you are watching, I could use a 5-pounder,’ and five minutes later, I hooked into one.”

The fishing was mostly consistent with post-spawn bass activity. For the most part, the fish were caught in medium water depth just off beds with moving baits, or close to shores and structures on bottom baits.

However, Foutz’s winning formula strayed from the average angler. The eventual winner went to cooler water, where bass were still spawning on beds to plunk out a four-day weight of 72 pounds, 4 ounces.

“I just started to get more dialed in to what was going on,” Foutz said. “I had fish coming to me, so it ended up being the perfect storm.”

Weather played a huge factor in the tournament, as it changed throughout

the four days. The opening day was a cooler, mostly cloudy day, with the average bag staying the highest. Day two was a rough one on the water, with the wind and current going in opposite directions, creating big waves.

The third and fourth days were mainly clearer, but proved to be the hardest to fish, with tough wind blowing in.

“We had wind like I haven’t seen in a long time, and that narrowed [our fishing spots] down a lot,” Coalgate, Oklahoma’s Luke Palmer said. “There are a lot of places that we couldn’t really fish effectively, and if we got some really good weather, it could have really shown out.”

Since the Elites left Oklahoma, they have competed in events in back-toback weeks on South Carolina’s Lake Murray and Santee Cooper, won by Paul Marks and Chris Johnston.

The Elite Series is back on the water June 11-14 at the Pasquotank River in Alabama.

FROM THE FARM

New businesses spring from selling products at Tahlequah Farmers’ Market

By Lee Guthrie lguthrie@tahlequahdailypress.com

Farmers are facing tough times in today’s economic environment, but two regular vendors at the Tahlequah Farmers’ Market have stuck with it and are both now expanding.

Ben Berry and his wife Brooke, operate Burning Bush Farm, and last year decided to open a farm store on their property. Ben said the store is doing well, and will help get them through the winter months. The address for the farm store is 14278 W. Whitley Road, Tahlequah, and the phone number is 918-8220070.

“This year we had our big grand opening event, and we are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day,” Ben said. “We’ll have kombucha on tap, tomatoes, and everything we have here.”

They sell fermented products; aside from the kombucha, they make kimchi, hot sauces, and anything that doesn’t sell at the market, he saves to ferment.

He expanded into the farm store because they make money mid-April to November, and the store helps get the family through the gap of December through March.

“We are trying to close the circle, and a lot of stuff we carry is canned and shelf-stable goods,” Ben said. “We have a lot of root vegetables stored away – potatoes, carrots, turnips, radishes, beets, and sweet potatoes.”

These root vegetables store well after harvest in November and are kept in cold storage. Their next goal is to get a glass-front refrigerator for lettuce and other produce, which is currently kept in

cold storage. The plan is to have a black board with available items listed, which they retrieve from the storage unit for customers.

“We are trying to get set up for SNAP, and it just takes filling out a lot of paperwork,” Ben said. “We are also trying to get a grant to set up a processing center – a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We are trying to fill

Jason Gay, co-owner of JH Fungi LLC, is expanding his mushroom business after several years of operating a booth at Tahlequah Farmers’ Market.

Ben Berry, co-owner of Burning Bush Farm, shares a sample of kombucha with Teresa Bilon at the Tahlequah Farmers’ Market.

gaps in food deserts, for access to good food, and we are wanting to branch out into education.”

Jason Gay and his partner Keith Hutchinson own and operate JH Fungi LLC, and started out selling their mushrooms at the TFM. They have recently received a small business loan from the Cherokee Nation to expand their business. Gay can be contacted at 918841-7267.

“We are focusing on expanding, building a new building, close to Ben’s farm actually,” Gay said. “I’ve never been able to supply to restaurants, especially during the farmers’ markets, and this will produce a more consistent cash flow.”

Their hope is to set up a certified licensed kitchen so the partners can sell out of state, which they can’t do now.

“All mushrooms have ergothioneine, a potent, naturally occurring amino acid and sulfur-containing antioxidant,” Gay said. “We are about to start growing a golden oyster mushroom, and it is the

highest source of ergothioneine in the world.”

He said when consumed, the ergothioneine grabs hold of any heavy metals in the body, like lead and aluminum, and keeps it from reacting negatively.

Blueprints are being finalized; Hutchinson has experience in construction, and between the two of them they plan to build it and save money on costs.

“It’s going to be 40-foot by 50-foot, with a small living area, and a place to grow more mushrooms,” Gay said. “We’ve got an acre property so might do some more outdoor experiments, and looking at growing morels in a small greenhouse.”

Morels are more complicated to grow, but there is one variety which doesn’t need the mycorrhiza relationship with trees and other plants where they pass nutrients back and forth.

“But not all have to have that relationship, like the Morchella elata, commonly called a black morel,” Gay said.

Jennifer Reynolds with Honey Hill Farms crochets a doll that will be for sale with her goat milk products.

ADAIR COUNTY AG

Farmers market draws interest in Stilwell

By Renee Fite

The best produce is now available weekly at the Stilwell Farmers’ Market, plus much more, such as pickled quail eggs, turkey eggs and baby chicks.

Vendors include Rose Farms with Miller berries, Eubanks Produce and flowers, Honey Hill Farmstead, Lewis Cottage, Kim’s Sugar Shatter, and Doyle Country Gardens. Ty Bates brings eggs from Evansville; Crisp Olive Farm has baby chicks and eggs. John 19:11 Woodworking, Teresa Baird-Butler with Ms T’s Creations and Rustic Lace Boutique are the current regulars at the Stilwell Farmers’ Market.

Thursdays, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., are the regular days for the market. Starting June 13, the Farmers’ Market will add a second day for shopping convenience.

About 60 people are coming to shop each week, including people from out of town in search for strawberries, like Pam and Nolan Scuggins from Broken Arrow.

“We love everything about farmers markets. We don’t have so much at our market in Broken Arrow, just veggies and fruits,” said Pam.

The Scuggins froze so many berries last

year that they just finished off the last batch.

“We ate our last strawberry shortcake, so we came for more strawberries,” Nolan said. “My mom used to do all that stuff [can fruit and vegetables] 40 years ago. We buy local honey to keep from having allergies.”

Shopers Abigail Whitney and daughter Alice, 5, were happy to see the market open while running an errand.

“We love farmers markets,” said Abigail. “We hope more vendors will come.”

Alice was interested in seeing everything on all the tables.

“We’re farmers; my mom has black Copper Maran chickens,” Alice said.

The mom and daughter started with the goal milk vendor, Jennifer Reynolds, who was crocheting a doll that would later be for sale.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to have my products set up in Stilwell,” Reynolds.

Goat milk soaps and lip butter, and a smooth butter batter, are among the items at her booth.

Visiting from Florida, former local Randi Hardbarger was getting her nails done and saw the market.

“It looks awesome,” Hardbarger said of all the canned items. “I’ll take a fresh-

squeezed orange juice.”

She also took honey and a watermelon home to her family.

Nichole Starr is co-manager of the market, along with Tina Rose.

Eubanks Produce and Flowers has an abundance of hamburger and pork to sell, said Starr.

“The Farmers’ Market lets us showcase to people what products we have. It brings fresh produce,” Starr said. “As farmers, we enjoy farming and hard work, and sharing with our customers what we do and love.”

Her dad, Donnie Eubanks, said that was the way the were raised, and they are keeping the tradition.

“I love it being next to the curb, so if senior citizens come by we can serve them if they pull right up to the curb and can see everything,” Eubanks said. “We can take it to them and it will work out real nice.”

Vendor Veronica Lewis, with Lewis Cottage Foods, offers sweets with cookies, cookie cakes, cinnamon rolls and freezedried candy.

“I’m excited to be here for this market and to be a part of it. And it supports small businesses,” said Lewis.

Theresa Fishinghawk, with Rustic Lace Boutique, made the Farmers’ Market T-shirts that are for sale and worn by some of the vendors. She was selling sweets.

“I have cinnamon rolls, sourdough chocolate chip cookies, candied pecans and no-bake chocolate cookies,” said Fishinghawk.

She said she’s glad the market is here to promote local businesses and farms. “I like that we have a central location and no set-up fee; some places charge a lot to set up. And I like getting to fellowship with the other vendors and customers,” Fishinghawk said.

Johnny Mitchell, Adair County OSU Extension educator, was also checking out the market.

“This is a place where local farmers can sell their goods. I like the variety of fruits and veggies,” Mitchell said.

Educating people is important to Rose. She was explaining to a customer about the difference in her summer and winter

chow-chow.

“Winter chow-chow is a little different than summer; it varies because it’s made from the vegetables left in your garden,” Rose said.

Rose said it’s good with beans and picante sauce.

“The produce and other foods we sell here are healthier. We want to provide for our community and support our local farmers and ranchers, and help all the vendors,” Rose said.

Rose accepts all forms of payment including the Cherokee Nation Senior Citizens Farmers’ Market 55-plus, WIC and the state issued Farmers’ Market card for seniors. “I will be helping the other vendors be able to take all the different types of payments,” Rose said.

Vendors start packing up at 1 p.m.

“We support everybody and hope they will support us, too,” Rose said. “The Farmers’ Market supports local community financially and we bring healthier choices, local fresh grown.”

Wahoo’s RV Park is a good temporary home.

HOMES AWAY FROM HOME

Campgrounds and RV parks becoming non-traditional

By Mary Hanafee TDP Special Writer

Campgrounds and RV parks across the Tahlequah area are seeing increased demand, as travelers seek flexible, affordable ways to experience the region’s lakes, rivers and outdoor attractions.

At Eagle Bluff Resort, Office Manager Betthany Kehoe said ongoing improvements and a focus on customer experience have helped drive steady growth. Founded in 1969 as two separate campgrounds, the resort now offers floating trips, cabins and riverfront campsites.

temporary abodes

“We are growing, and we have been working nonstop to improve the resort, and customer satisfaction is huge to us,” Kehoe said. “We’re selling out quickly, and we’re seeing lots of families coming in groups.”

Recent additions include glamping sites, golf cart rentals and new rafts, along with expanded retail offerings. The resort has also upgraded infrastructure, including new fencing, and continues to emphasize its scenic setting along the Illinois River, where most campsites offer water views.

“We want people to have a great trip and feel like it was worth their money,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe said the business also prioritizes community involvement, supporting local youth programs and events.

“We do a lot of charity events and donations because we want to help the youth and the community,” she said.

Nearby, Cedar Creek RV Park is attracting a mix of short-term visitors and long-

term residents, reflecting a broader trend in RV living. Guest attendant John Vazquez said the park’s location is a major draw.

“Probably the best part of it is the location,” Vazquez said. “We’re right at the base of the hill going into Keys, close to the lake, less than a mile from the casino and right off the highway.”

Vazquez said the park has recently seen a steady flow of guests, including weekend travelers, temporary workers, students and people waiting to move into permanent housing.

“It seems like there are people who just want to visit the area and others who need a place to stay while they’re building a house or working nearby,” he said. “A lot of parks don’t allow long-term stays, but we don’t have a minimum or maximum.”

To meet demand, the park has expanded amenities, including a new office building with showers, restrooms and a laundromat. Improvements are also underway to make the property more accessible for larger RVs.

“One of the biggest things is the size of the lots; they’re very spacious,” Vazquez said. “We’re rebuilding entryways to make them wider and easier for longer RVs to get in.”

At Wahoo’s RV Park, owners Wahoo and Valerie Walters said area park offers a quieter alternative while still providing convenient access to local attractions.

“We’re a safe and quiet RV park with beautiful views and very friendly people,” the Walters said.

Located minutes from area restaurants, medical facilities and Northeastern State University, the park also provides easy access to outdoor recreation, including floating trips on the Illinois River and nearby lakes, such as Lake Tenkiller, Fort Gibson Lake and Lake Hudson.

Operators say the continued interest in RV travel reflects a shift toward outdoor experiences and adaptable living arrangements.

“Enjoy our safe and friendly atmosphere,” the Walters said.