Anglers looking to learn more about catfishing are invited to a free virtual program Thursday featuring the Lehigh Valley’s own “Flathead Queen.”
That’s one of the affectionate nicknames of Laura Yeates, of Bethlehem, who is organizing two eastern Pennsylvania catfish tournaments in 2026.
Yeates is the featured guest on Thursday’s Casting Chats conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Set for 7 to 8 p.m., the program this week is dedicated to Pennsylvania catfishing tactics.
Register via register-ed.com.
Yeates says on the event’s registration page she grew up catching trout, bass and sunfish at Grouse Hall Fish and Game in Lehigh County’s Ironton.
“As I got older, I transitioned into catfishing, starting in the Lehigh River for channel catfish and eventually focusing on flathead catfish in the Delaware River,” her special guest bio states.
Laura Yeates shows off her largest flathead — a 42 pounder — she caught in June 2025.Photo courtesy of Dave Au
Mark Demko, outdoors columnist for lehighvalleylive.com, profiled Yeates last summer as she prepared to host her third Catfish Kings contest on the Delaware River.
For 2026, she’s organizing a Delaware River Catfish Tournament on June 6-7 and Sept. 5-6, and a Lake Wallenpaupack Catfish Tournament scheduled for Aug. 1-2.
The tournaments run from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Yeates posts details of her tournaments, and fishing adventures, on Facebook, including on her Delaware River Fishing Tournaments private group page.
“My goal is to expand my social media presence around my adventures on the water and to provide events that people in the area look forward to and are excited to attend!” Yeates wrote in her bio ahead of Thursday’s Fish and Boat Commission program.
The commission describes Casting Chats as a guided, discussion-based virtual program designed to help anglers become more knowledgeable in different fishing subjects. Program participants have the opportunity to submit questions for the guest to answer live during the scheduled program.
The next Casting Chats is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. on March 12, focusing on spinner fishing for trout with Frank Nale.