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Davis Island Fishing Foundation in order to attract new members and give fishermen a united voice in the politics of the National Park Service. The first Cape Lookout National Seashore Superintendent, Mack Riddle was a great help. He laid out the long-term goals and plans for the future of the Park. At that time, locals and members of the general public were at odds with the Park Service. A great deal of change was coming quickly and people did not agree with all the plans for the future of Cape Lookout. Many had built structures of various shapes and sizes. The two Core Banks Islands had been a beach playground for many years and this was coming to an end for most. A few would be able to retain their cabins…with Park Service Restrictions. My first trip to Core Banks South was in 1985, so I have no first-hand knowledge of what these cabins looked like. I had been to the Core Banks North several times starting in 1978. At that time, the Long Point Area had been established with cabins to rent. The scattered structures were gone, but the hulks of abandoned vehicles were all over. After talking with several DIFF members who went to the island during this time and listening to some bull-sessions, a consensus emerged. These cabins were of various size, shape and condition. One was located beach front where cabins #1 and # 2 used to be located. This cabin, I was told, had a picket fence around it. Many others were no more than boxes with bunks and a stove. The people who built them were not happy when told that at 12 noon on a certain date ownership would be taken over by the National Park Service. The founders of the DIFF Club and Superintendent Mack Riddle decided that a Drum tournament would be an opportunity both to gain new members and share the DIFF goals. Mack Riddle would have an audience and the chance to go over Park Service plans for the future. Questions from the entrants would be answered by the Park Superintendent himself. The DIFF Club, in 1985, scheduled its first official Drum tournament. The word was passed by phone, word of mouth and any other means. The total number of participants reached 55 and the purse was $1,100. The tournament began on the last Thursday of September 1985. Does that date sound familiar…it is still in use today! The winner of that first tournament in 1985 was Ronnie Bibey, the son of one of the Club founders, Glenn. They gave the entire purse of $1,100 to the winner. Don Eury and Les Gladden were there for that first tournament and have attended every one since. |
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1986 was not a great fishing tournament but the entrants still had a fine time. No legal size were caught. The purse was carried over to the 1987 tournament. B K Barringer won in 1987 and to date his prize of $2,200 is the largest check written to a winner.
Previous Drum Tournament Winners
1985 Ronnie Bibey 1986 No legal size fish caught 1987 B K Barringer 1988 Billy Walker 1989 Mike Whetstone 1990 Arch McLean 1991 Arno Salmons 1992 Terry “Skippy” McLamb 1993 David Krickham 1994 Steve Barringer 1995 Bubba Johnston 1996 Jay Miller 1997 Terry “Skippy” Mc Lamb 1998 Cathy Mann 1999 Kevin Davis 2000 Allen Rivenbark 2001 Barry Harris 2002 Kenny Long 2003 Hurricane Isabel |
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NOTICE DIFF Club Annual Meeting
Saturday February 28. 2004
Pineville, NC Firehouse
11:00 AM (Board at 9:00 AM)
Lunch will be served
Generator Raffle Drawing to be held |
