Cache Cats 2026 Recap

The 3rd Annual Cache Cats Tournament is officially in the books!

This year, 23 anglers competed across the Bear River/Cutler system in Northern Utah, chasing Channel Catfish and Bullheads over two days of fishing.

Considering the first Cache Cats had only three anglers, seeing 23 people participate three years later is something I’m incredibly proud of.

We came up just short of last year’s 25 anglers, but this year’s tournament also fell on Utah’s archery opener. More importantly, we had nine youth anglers participate. Getting kids and families involved in fishing has become one of my favorite parts of putting these tournaments together.

The Road to Cache Cats

A big part of Cache Cats isn’t just the tournament weekend itself. It’s everything that happens leading up to it.

In the weeks before the tournament, I spent quite a bit of time fishing the Bear River/Cutler system, making videos, scouting and getting ready for the event.

I was able to go fishing with Steve Thomas, The Bearded Carp, who has continued to support Cache Cats and the local fishing community. Steve also helped provide the prize for the Largest Carp this year.

I also got out with Keenan from Sakana Baits, another supporter of Outdoors with Andrew and my tournaments. We had a fun mixed-species trip, catching Smallmouth Bass and Channel Catfish while spending some time on the same system that would soon host Cache Cats.

Then there was Luke from Smokenbrack. Luke and I got out before the tournament for some catfishing, and he managed to find some Bullheads while I somehow kept catching Smallmouth on shrimp.

Those trips became part of the buildup to Cache Cats. They gave me content to share, helped get the tournament in front of different audiences and, more importantly, gave me an opportunity to actually fish with some of the people and businesses supporting what I’m trying to build.

Tournament Day With Smokenbrack

Once tournament weekend arrived, Luke and I weren’t done fishing.

During Cache Cats, I went back out with Luke and his son on the Bear River/Cutler system.

I managed to land three Channel Catfish and plenty of Bullheads, along with some bonus Bluegill and Green Sunfish. Luke and his son also got into the Bullheads.

Between fishing, answering tournament questions, getting shirts and tackle packs to anglers and keeping everything moving, I probably spent as much time being tournament director as I did fishing.

But that’s part of Cache Cats—and part of what makes these tournaments fun for me.

2026 Cache Cats Results

There were some impressive catches submitted this year.

Adult Division

🥇 Braxton — 99.50"
🥈 Rider — 96.50"
🥉 Dylan — 90.75"

Youth Division

🥇 Ezra — 94.25"
🥈 Leo — 58.00"
🥉 Tucker — 54.00"

Ezra also earned the Youth Biggest Fish award.

Largest Carp

🏆 Kaleb — 26.25"

Reminder: Carp were not included in tournament totals or placing prizes. As outlined in the tournament rules, carp were used as the tiebreaker. Kaleb’s 26.25" carp earned the Largest Carp award.

$335 in Final Cash Payouts

As registration grew, so did the cash payouts.

That put the final cash payout total at $335, in addition to the other prizes available to anglers.

Both division champions also received a MadKatz Patriot Rod valued at approximately $140.

More Than Just Cash Prizes

One thing I wanted to improve this year was the overall experience for the anglers.

Every participant received a Cache Cats tournament shirt, and our youth anglers received Eagle Claw tackle packs.

Those shirts were a significant investment for me, but I wanted year three to feel like another step forward for Cache Cats.

I’m also giving some of the additional shirts to sponsors, friends and family. My hope is that Cache Cats continues becoming something people recognize around Northern Utah rather than being just another weekend fishing tournament.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

None of this happens without people and businesses willing to support local fishing.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped with Cache Cats this year:

• Eagle Claw
• Sakana Baits
• Smokenbrack
• Steve Thomas - The Bearded Carp & The Bearded Carp

Whether it was rods, tackle, prizes, financial support, promotion or simply helping spread the word, every contribution helped make the tournament better for the anglers.

From 3 Anglers to 23

This might be the number I’m proudest of.

Year One: 3 anglers
Year Three: 23 anglers

There is still plenty of room to grow.

I’m already looking at ways to improve future Outdoors with Andrew tournaments, including better sponsor packages, more partnerships with other fishing creators and even more opportunities for youth anglers.

I’m learning as I go.

Some things work. Some don’t. Some cost more than expected. And sometimes registration doesn’t really take off until the final week.

But seeing families fishing together, watching the youth division grow, seeing returning anglers and watching youth competitors eventually move into the adult division makes all of the work worthwhile.

See You at Cache Cats 2027

Thank you to all 23 anglers, their families, our sponsors and everyone who shared a post, watched a video or helped spread the word about Cache Cats.

Three years ago, this tournament started with three anglers.

Now we’re Three Years Strong.

I’ll see you at Cache Cats 2027.

Tight lines! 🎣

— Andrew

Outdoors with Andrew

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