SSG Christopher Potts Fishing Tournament Raises More Than $7K

"A lot of people said it was the best year so far," said Ralph Craft of the fifth annual SSG Christopher Potts Fishing Tournament held last week.

The concluding festivities, held on Saturday, Sept. 11, could have potentially contended with some wet weather—especially given that the kick off of the tournament narrowly escaped the clutches of Hurricane Earl. 

Luckily, tournament participants, family, friends, and community members did not let potential wet weather dampen their fun and, as Craft said, "there was laughter all day. People were just having a great time." 

About 200 to 250 attendees celebrated with a barbecue and live music provided by the band Blurred Vision at the Portuguese American Club in Portsmouth. 

Originally started by Capt. Mike Littlefield and B.J. Silvia, the event is now hosted by the Aquidneck Island Striper Team, led by Craft. 

"The nice thing is that everyone has a really great time and comes together to remember the reasons they're there," Craft said.

The tournament is held  to commemorate Staff Sgt. Christopher Potts, who died while serving his country in Taji, Iraq, on his 38^th birthday, Oct. 3, 2004.

This year, the tournament raised a little more than $7,000, which will benefit Pott's wife, Terri, and sons, Christopher Jr. and Jackson.  

Craft says a stand-out moment of the event occurred this year with a visit from the Patriot Guard of Rhode Island, which is a motorcycle group of veterans who attend funerals and events to show support for and honor fallen soldiers. 

"It was really great to have them there", says Craft.

With about 70 sponsors, nearly everyone who attended the event walked away with something. Sponsors included Riverside Marine in Tiverton, Sam's Bait and Tackle in Middletown, Lucky's Bait in Warren, Toyota of Newport, Northcoast Boats, West Marine in Newport and EMS. 

Sponsors donated volunteer time, raffle items and monetary gifts.

"The bait shops are really the cornerstones of getting the event pulled off; it's where all the weigh-ins happen during the tournament. They're all big players in this,
 says Craft. 

Some of the raffle items, which were worth about $10,000 total, included hotel rooms at the Marriott and Hampton Inn, rods and reels, fishing charters, and wine tastings from all of the area vineyards. 

One of the raffle donations included three rods that TMS custom made especially for the event depicting American flags. Two of the rods were made for Potts' wife, while the third was for the raffle. "They were gorgeous," said Craft about the rods.

Craft said he was extremely pleased with the tournament and tremendously grateful to everyone who attended. 

"Anyone who was affiliated- thank you," he said. "There is a much higher purpose here and it doesn't happen without the support of the family, sponsors, volunteers, contestants…Anyone who did anything in any fashion or form. Thank you."

The winners of the fishing tournament are listed below in each category:

1st Place Bass

Boat:  George Glover 45.62 lbs

Shore:  Greg Vespe 37.04 lbs

Women:  Cindy Silvia 37.02 lbs

Kids:  Jackson Potts 15.82 lbs

1st Place Blue

Boat:  Rich Ferrell 11.90 lbs

Shore:  Nick Pacheco 9.72 lbs

Kayak:  Brian Pineato 3.05 lbs

Women: Mary Foujere 9.70 lbs

Kids:  Robbie Cartin 5.44 lbs

1st Place Black Fish

Rich Ferrell 8.25 lbs

Grand Slam Winner

George Glover (total combined weight 58.48 lbs)

Bass 45.62 lbs

Blue 8.58 lbs

Blackfish 4.28 lbs