With hundreds in town for Cabela’s first-ever trip to Selma, city and tournament officials were pleased with Saturday’s events.

Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail and Free Kids Fishing Rodeo made stops in Selma on Saturday, as fishermen — old and young, amateur and professional — were looking to catch a prized catfish.

The events made their first of two stops this year in Selma, as Cabela will return to town again on Sept. 27-29 for its Classic Tournament.

Selma Mayor George Evans said having both tournaments in Selma is great for the city.

“I think it’s a great day for Selma,” Evans said. “It means a lot in terms of revenue for the city naturally, tourism to the city, just people visiting Selma and getting the flavor of the southern hospitality. The big one [tournament] in September, that’s going to be huge. We appreciate it because it does a lot to promote our city and to promote the hospitality it has to offer.”

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said both tournaments turned out well, with many local anglers fishing on the Alabama River, and with children at the East Selma Fishing Pond.

“The kids rodeo today was a huge success, we had over 100 kids out here fishing and there were a lot of first-time fishermen that we had. It was just a good time and a family-oriented event,” Smedley said. “We have anglers from nine states participating here in Selma, Alabama for the King Kat Tournament, and we have 18 local teams that registered to participate, which is a plus.”

Tanner Tabor, director of the tournament, said he’s thankful to the city of Selma for its participation and hospitality with both tournaments, and he’s glad the participants had a good time.

“The City of Selma has opened its doors wide to the Cabela’s King Kat crew and its anglers, and we’ve had a great time,” Tabor said. “Sheryl with the chamber, Elton Reece, I’ve seen the mayor at everything we’ve done, they’re really involved in this event and embracing it.”