But his fishing partner, Albert Hays, kept hauling in big catfish, and he couldn’t quite get them up on the bank.

So each time, File walked right out in the water, grabbed the fish and threw it on shore.

Though he got some good- natured ribbing, File and the other members of Hills Bassmaster Fishing Club were happy to see their visitors catching the fish — one way or the other.

For the third year, the fishing club hosted a tournament for members of Rowan County ARC, a local organization that provides occupational and life skill programs for the mentally handicapped.

Hays, who was eventually declared this year’s winner, and 10 other ARC clients fished Saturday morning from the bank of the pond behind Hills Minnow Farm Store, off Bringle Ferry Road in eastern Rowan County.

Jim Mullen, president of Hills Bassmasters, said he first got involved in the annual tournament when he was a member of the Philip Morris Bassmaster Club in Cabarrus County.

“Once a year, we like to give back to the community and let someone else enjoy the fishing,” Mullen said.

Mullen said Hays was so pleased that he asked if he could take his catch home — catfish weighing 7.9, 7.3 and 4.13 pounds. So Ellen Mullen, Jim’s wife, and File cleaned all three catfish, put them on ice and sent them home with Hays.

Tournament winners were Hays, first, 19.33 pounds; David Rhodes, second, 7.15 pounds; and Farrell Glaspy, third, 4.11 pounds. All three received trophies.

Other ARC members who fished Saturday were: Donnie Robinson, Scott Wagner, Mike Young, Kevin Collins, Sammi Carpenter, Darrel Shores, Terri Thompson and Lilian Overcash.

Fishing club members who served as fishing partners were File, Jim and Ellen Mullen, Tony Honeycutt, David Grathwohl, Charlie Richards, Don Corntassle, John Mesimore and Tommy Cohen.