north american
CARP ANGLER
2017 N ACA Q3
FEATURINorGth: American Carp Conference First Ever N arp! Ice Fishing for C
lts
Resu Fall Big-4 & CCC
www.joincag.com
on ti c te e D e it B r te Cold Wa And more...!
Editor’s Comment’s It appears that I’m wearing many hats in this issue! Edwin Stackhouse, who became editor earlier in the year, notified me in the middle of October that he wanted to pursue other interests and tendered his resignation from the position. As a result this issue is being published considerably later than planned and I’m grateful to everyone who managed to put together articles for me at such short notice. I’m also delighted to say that Dean Brookes has agreed to come back as Editor from the beginning of 2018. We are already discussing some exciting ideas, including ways we can celebrate CAG’s 25th anniversary. So for this issue I’m wearing the editors hat and my thanks go to our ever patient and talented designer Sal Castanedo who has managed to create such a professional magazine from my pile of word documents and photos!
This issue has a report on the first ever North American Carp Conference as well as the reports and results from the CCC and Fall Big 4 events. In the dim and distant days when I first started fishing most anglers believed that carp hibernated during the winter months. The carp gear would be stowed away and we would turn our attention to other species. Fortunately a few hardy & intrepid souls soon proved the hibernation theory to be yet another angling myth! Now we take for granted that carp can be caught year-round. Russ Guise tells us how he uses modern technology to locate winter carp and yours truly has a piece on bite detection. But what happens if your favorite swim is frozen solid? Top carp angler Richie Eldridge has extended his season by catching them through the ice and tells us some of his secrets! I hope you enjoy this issue. All the best, Iain Sorrell
Letter from CAG president I’m truly honored to be writing this section as the newly elected President of the Carp Anglers Group. First and foremost I would like to thank Bob Giodarno on behalf of the CAG community for his leadership as President over the past few years. As many will know Bob has been battling some serious medical problems and we all wish him well and look forward to seeing him joining us on the bank very soon. In 2018 it will be 25 years since CAG was formed back in 1993. As I stated in my presidential electoral platform I firmly believe that CAG’s mission remains as relevant today as when it was formed. There have clearly been many changes in the past 25 years that include incredible advances in tackle, techniques (zig and other rigs for example) and of course unlimited access to information via the internet and social media. But for all these changes and developments there is one thing that hasn’t changed. There is nothing more important than introducing new anglers to the excitement of carp fishing and being bank side with friends old and new!
Communication
One of my primary goals will be to increase and improve the level of communication with our membership. I plan on introducing regular CAG news updates to members via email as well as on the CAG Forum. I would like find ways for members to use the CAG forum more often while recognizing that the increased use of social media has clearly changed how many people interact. Even more importantly I will be looking for feedback on how YOU want to shape the future of CAG.
Engagement
Over the past few years CAG has struggled to find active and committed volunteers for key positions. I plan to make this a priority during my presidency. As you will see in this issue Phil Nathan has stepped up to be our first Events Director which I believe will be a critical role going forward. I also want to ensure that our membership feels fully engaged and encouraged to take part in more events. Social Media in my mind is not ‘social’. All too often we see keyboard warriors criticizing or demeaning others rather than helping them to learn new skills or understand the importance of better fish care. I want to encourage everyone to meet fellow anglers at fish-ins, actively help newcomers (who are often overwhelmed by the mountain of on-line information) and starting this winter why not arrange to meet up with local anglers over a beer & pizza to share your love of carp fishing? Above all I look forward to 2018. We’ll be celebrating CAG’s quarter century at the forefront of introducing North American anglers to carp fishing. As the only non-profit carp organization in North America EVERY dollar goes toward supporting the CAG Mission. CAG & its membership has a lot to be proud of and I’m honored to be serving as its President! Tight Lines!
Iain Sorrell
President
North American Carp Angler
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Conte n ts
2017 CAG CARP CLASSIC
Page 7
Page 13
North East Carp Conference
Page 18
Champion of the Queen
Page 23
CAG Fall Big 4 Results
Page 26
NEW CAG DIRECTOR POSITION
Page 31 Page 32
Page 36
Page 38
CAG UPCOMING EVENTS:
Page 44
Stop the Spread of Disease
Page 46
The origins of Big Carp Tackle
Page 50
Front Cover: Zach Testa with an incredible 36lb Koi Click here for the full video story! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW61wbfDEwDrbEMBxvqfuRA FYI – the link is to BCT News Youtube page where the koi video will be uploaded soon.
The NACA magazine not only puts you in touch with dedicated carp anglers across North America but has readers worldwide.
T R
E V D A ! R E U R O E Y H
A 1/4 page advert starts from as little as $45 and includes a live link to your webpage or become a Business Supporter and get a Full Page advert in each NACA plus a web banner link on the CAG Website and Forums for only $300 / year.
For more information simply click on this advert
North America’s Longest Running Carp Organisation with a Dedicated Mission: • To gain acceptance of the carp as an exciting and challenging sport-fish. • To become better carp anglers, assist others and encourage them to join us. • To treat the carp with respect, promote the release of trophy-size carp & encourage others to do the same. • Most of all: Go fishing, Share with others, and have Fun. As a member you will also be adding your voice & support to help CAG continue its efforts to work with State & other organizations to increase the recognition for carp as a sport fish to benefit the angling community
Member Benefits Include: • Full CAG Forum Community Access
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*inc Printed Full Color Special Edition Membership is only $20 / Year (+ a one time $5 joining fee) which includes you, your spouse & any children under 18 living in the same household
www.joincag.com The Carp Anglers Group is a non-profit organisation
The 2017 CAG Carp Classic CCC Va l G r i m l e y 2 0 1 7 N o r t h A m e r i c a n C h a m p i o n
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This year’s CCC took place on the Hudson River, NY on Saturday Sept 23rd. Friday night saw many anglers meet up for a ‘social’ over drinks and BBQ at the nearby Pegasus Restaurant. We even had a welcome surprise visit from one of the earliest CAG members Warren Bird. Even though he could not fish due to a family commitment Warren had made the long journey just to see friends old and new.
The next morning everyone met bright & early at Chrissy & Tim’s diner for breakfast and the all important peg draw and scale certification. After the formalities had been completed anglers were on their way to the pegs located at Coxsackie river front park (A), Dutchman’s Landing (B) & Catskill Point (C).
In glorious fall sunshine anglers made their first casts at 8am and it wasn’t long before the sound of warbling alarms and screeching drags could be heard in all three sections! The tidal flow clearly influenced fish movement along all three sections with some anglers fairing better than others but providing plenty of opportunities for everyone. In the end only 4 anglers blanked... myself included!
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Priz e s were awarded as follows:
First Fish
Big Fish
(Carp King)
Val Gri mley
M i k e Dr ag o n e
24 lb 9oz
(landed at 8:15am)
Big 4 Total (North American Carp Champion)
Val Grim l ey 75 lb 3oz
Mar k R e e c e 73lb 6oz
Mik e D rag o n e 74 lb 7oz
Weight
Jero me Moi sa n d 199lb 3oz
Va l G r i m l ey 75 lb 3oz
We had no section D, so we decided to give the award to Terry McGaw for his Big4 result of 70lb 1oz
(4th place, and total weight of 190lb, 2nd place).
After a long day in some unseasonably warm Fall temps the tournament finished at 4pm. At 6pm everyone gathered at the Pegasus restaurant for the prize giving, CAG Plenary meeting and an excellent buffet dinner.
Congratulations & Thanks! A hearty congratulations to our winners! There was a tight battle in all three sections for the top honors which kept things exciting right up until the end.
A huge thank you to Barry Howard who not only organized and ran this year’s event but even donated several prizes AND pre-baited the swims with over 300lbs of maize! Thank you to all the competitors especially those who traveled hundreds of miles to take part. Thank you to our prize donors in particular the folks at Deeper for donating a Deeper Pro + sonar & fish finder for the Big Fish award. Thank you to the Pegasus restaurant and their staff for hosting the Carp Anglers Group & feeding us so well! We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 CCC event! North American Carp Angler
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B
e
dridg
ie El y Rich
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As an avid fishermen living in Northeast Ohio I would spend December thru March ice fishing. I would pass my time, until the open water season, catching pan fish on small jigs to bass with minnows with tip ups. That was until four years ago when I decided I was going to fish for carp only on the ice. My first year I targeted a retention pond that produced in the cold months. My methods were simple with hair rigged corn, a size 8 hook with a quarter once slip sinker. Panko bread pack keeping bait simple as well. It was quite interesting setting out 6 tip ups with two small rods and wondering what was going to happen! I was able to get out some half dozen times on this pond with a few catfish for my efforts. But on my last session I lost a fish on a tip up that I’m positive was a carp. That was enough to make me gear up for carp the following winter, only this time it was going to be on a local river.
It took some nerve to go out on a frozen river, but that winter brought on enough ice to comfortably venture out on. My first session out was one to remember! I used the same approach as the previous winter. I must say that I was not ready for the learning curve I was about to encounter. I set out all the lines and just like that a fish was pulling line off one of the small rods! I knew it was a carp and the fight was something I didn’t expect. I figured they would be slow and lethargic. But certainly not! I was so happy after getting this carp up on the ice. My best accomplishment in carp fishing for sure! I caught a few more that day and after I’d gone home I thought about how different things are on the ice for the carp. The following years I learned so much about catching carp on the ice since the fish returned to the same place each winter. I’d like to share things that I believe led to my success along with the tactics and methods so that in the future more anglers will get out and give it a try themselves.
I live close to a shallow slow moving river that parts of it get enough ice to fish on. I’m comfortable on 4 inches and I’m also fishing in less than 6 feet of water. The fish can be caught here before and after ice so it only made sense for me to fish here. My second season catching didn’t come so easy. I kept prebaiting and fishing different times till I found a feeding pattern which happened to be after dark that winter. I also started using calf mana in my pack bait that I believe it made a big difference yet kept the bait simple. I also used a single piece of Enterprise Tackle pop up corn with good success. North American Carp Angler
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Calf Manna Pack: 1 Pound Panko 1/2 pound Calf Manna pellets 1 can cream corn 1 can whole sweet corn (drained) A little salt (optional)
Landing a carp on the ice became a big concern of mine quickly as at first I didn’t know how to do it. Being bigger than what I was used to and awkward I was reaching in the hole and scooping them out. It works but the bigger the carp the less room you have to do this. This coming season I’m using a 10 inch auger that most carp under 20 lb will fit thru easily. I found my best days were above freezing and all around nice days as far as winter goes. Below freezing and carp safety comes into to play. That brings up more things I had to learn.
My landing mat became a
necessity after realizing how abrasive the ice is to them.
You also need to be very careful getting the fish thru the hole. It is no easy task! They like to thrash making for some injuries if against the sides of the hole. All I can do is say ‘slow and easy’ is the best approach. Lastly always return the fish quickly as it is always in the fish best interest.
I caught quite a few carp to 20 pounds with some days fishing as good as any open water session. I kept my rigs simple and fished where I caught carp before the ice formed. I also kept on baiting up with consistency. Sweet corn and calf mana worked for me. Fishing water that has some flow is key in my opinion. Getting out and fishing is the most important with the fish feeding in such small periods. I know ice fishing isn’t for everyone but carp on the ice is very fun. Good luck and be safe!
North American Carp Angler
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North East Carp Conference (NECC) Report
there were presentations from leading anglers,
On Saturday April 8th 2017 we saw the very
ing demonstrations, a Q&A with an expert pan-
first carp conference (NECC) to be held in North America. The Elks Club venue located in Middletown CT helped attract folk from all over New England & even beyond. There were some intrepid folks who travelled hundreds of miles from as far states afield as IN, MD, PA, NC, SC & MI. The event included a parking lot TAG sale for anglers to buy & sell any items of excess tackle or bait while inside
a host of bait & tackle vendors, bait & rig makel of top carp anglers and finally the draw for some incredible prizes from the raffle. A very special thanks must go to the incredibly generous support of our sponsors and vendors who donated over $6000 in products toward the raffle prizes. The raffle helped CAG raise over $1600 towards its continued mission to help support the growth of carp fishing in North America.
Our NECC guest speakers Adam Tarnacki, David Pickering, Dean Brookes, Austin & Brendan Pass and Phil Nathan provided some very thoughtful and engaging talks.
A special highlight was welcoming carp legend & England Team Captain Rob Hughes via a live video link on the ‘big screen’ from the Fox stand at the Big One Show in the UK. Rob joined the event to officially open the NECC and then returned later in the show to as part of our Experts panel for the Q&A session with our audience. A huge thanks to Rob for taking the time after what had been an incredibly busy couple of days on the Fox stand and then coming back after a long drive to a hotel (now late evening in the UK!) where he was staying before commentating at a jet ski race the following day!
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Among the most rewarding feedback was how everyone had enjoyed this opportunity to meet fellow anglers face to face. The NECC brought anglers together (some traveling hundreds of miles) and rekindled the carp fishing community in a way that has not been possible through social media and is clearly something we all need to do more often! The Elks Club bar and food area was certainly one of the more popular areas to hang out!
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A special thanks to Iain Sorrell for organizing and running the NECC, our vendors who took a chance on this our first NECC (judging by their success we know they will be first in line for next years event!), our guest speakers and fellow CAG directors and member volunteers. Among the 150 plus attendees the NECC also helped attract over 30 new members to our ranks. Make sure you visit & follow the NECC Facebook page for news of next years event! www.facebook.com/NECarpConference
Champion of the Queen
The Champion of the Queen is an annual award that recognizes the person or persons who have made a significant contribution to the Carp Anglers Group and ultimately carp fishing in North America. The significance of the award stems from Izaac Walton’s description in The Compleat Angler of the carp being the “Queen of Rivers”. The recipient receives a specially inscribed trophy and a well deserved lifetime membership to CAG.
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The 2017 recipient is Dave Pickering.
You can follow Dave on his blog:
Dave has exemplified the Objectives of CAG in every way. As the State Chair for Rhode Island for the past 10 years Dave has demonstrated exactly what it takes to grow membership, run fish-in’s and perhaps most importantly teach people about the joy of carp fishing.
http://ricarpfishing.blogspot.com/
He gives talks at sportsman’s shows, is a renowned freelance writer and member of the New England Outdoors Writer’s Association (NEOWA) and has also appeared with On The Water TV. Dave is also the CAG Secretary and as an active CAG director has given countless hours of this time to supporting the organization & its obejctives. As an angler Dave has captured some remarkable sized carp over the past 25 year and since retirement averages 1000 a year (including 1300 carp in 2015!) As an all around angler Dave also manages to fish for a wide range of species in both fresh and saltwater.
For a list of previous recipients: http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/forum/145-champion-of-the-queenawards/ “ The Carp is the Queen of Rivers: a stately, good and very subtle fish. The Carp, if he have water-room and good feed, will grow to a very great bigness and length; I have heard, to be much above a yard long. He is a very subtle fish, and hard to be caught. If you will fish for a Carp, you must put on a very large measure of patience, especially to fish for a River-Carp.” - Izaac Walton, The Compleat Angler
Baits for Anglers By Anglers
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BIG 17
FOUR
20
CAG Fall Big 4 Results
As now customary, CAG members tried hard for 6 weeks to land biggies at this very special time of the year, in the fall when our favorite quarry tends to eat a lot to fatten up for the coming winter.
As usual, we had prizes for the largest combined weight of four fish, (Big-4, 1st to 10th place), for the biggest common and for the biggest mirror. In addition, just for fun, we added a special category this year for the largest combined weight of six fish (Big 6).
Prizes were made of $800 worth of gift certificates from BCT, cosponsored by CAG; plus honorary certificates artfully designed by Frank Rink. Jerome Moisand, with a fantastic trip to the Susquehanna River in early October, and Craig Welch, with a terrific trip to the Dale Hollow Reservoir later in the month, ended up sharing the top prizes.
Jerome Moisand with one of his thirties Jerome won the Big 4, the Big 6 (all thirties!) and also the biggest common. Craig won the 2nd place Big 4 and the biggest mirror (a cracking fully scaled). Those results clearly illustrate the simple truth that, if you want to catch big fish, you need to go to big fish venues.
Craig Welch with his Big Mirror
Craig authored a very cool online article about his challenging adventure, which you can find here: https://craigwelchcarpfishing.com/2017/11/05/dale-hollow-fall-2017 Those big fish didn’t come easy, to say the least.
As to Jerome, this was actually his fourth discovery attempt at the Susquehanna River, and he landed a magnificent total of just ONE fish in the first three trips. The fourth trip was scheduled in the fall instead of the spring, and this did it, with a bunch of very thick 20s and 30s landed in the course of four frantic days.
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Overall Results Table:
Thanks to all those who entered and to Jerome for running it this year.
So now it’s onto 2018 and the Spring Big 4! Here are a few more of the Fall Big 4 Captures:
Please note that these images have been submitted separately or ‘cropped’ for the NACA. As a result do not necessarily show scales and logo as required in the rules.
Kirk Suedmeyer
Dave Pickering
David Dakin
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Barry Howard
Todd Richer
NEW CAG DIRECTOR POSITION ANNOUNCED The CAG Board of Directors, following a proposal by Iain Sorrell, is delighted to announce that the they voted unanimously to create this new position and that Phil Nathan has been elected to take on this critical role.
In addition to being an outstanding angler and the winner of the 2016 CT Tournament Phil has a background in the business world. He has experience of people management in Retail, Finance, Building and Construction and Local Government. Phil believes that through combining his business knowledge and skills plus his experience of the angling world he would be able to support CAG in delivering it’s key objectives. In the past he ran a series of winter Carp events in the UK. Any organization, he says, thrives on two key areas: communication and involvement of individuals. Phil shares a vision to build a cohesive plan of well communicated and organized events that simply leads more and more carp anglers, of all abilities and method, to want to be part of CAG and to act as ambassadors for their sport. Great to have you on the CAG Board!
Phil Nathan with a stunning 30lb plus common
CAG Events Director – Phil Nathan a) Responsible for organizing and coor-
dinating key annual CAG & other related events.
b) Will ensure key people, as needed,
are available to run such events and will monitor their progress and outcomes. c)
Shall ensure such events are added
to the CAG calendar in good time, well promoted & supported, prizes & trophies
available, provided updates on outcomes featured via the CAG Forum, social and other forms of media.
Phil Nathan receiving his winning payout from David Moore at the 2016 Connecticut Carp Tournament
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By Russ Guise Deeper Pro Angler - UK When I was asked to do a piece on how I go about trying to catch Winter carp my initial reaction was to think about all the methods I could put in print for the first time, all the things I and many others change during the colder months to help catch our quarry, approaches that differ from the warmer Spring, Summer and early Autumn tactics I use. Turns out my first thoughts on what would be in this article couldn’t have been more wrong! As it turns out, I really don’t change much, if anything at all! In fact, the only significant changes are to the comfort side of being out on the bank during below zero temperatures and very long nights. As such I swap my Brolly or Atom shelter for a fully fronted pram hood bivvy with a heavy-duty ground sheet. I take a small hot water bottle and I tend to add some hot chocolate to the brew kit!! That probably makes me sound like a wimpy old git but to catch carp you have to be there fishing for them and if I am comfy then I fish much better. (If, however, you are comfy under the stars all year round then that’s how you should fish, and fair play to you!). That last sentence leads me nicely in to my explanation of how I go about my fishing; being warm in Winter and comfortable means I am happy to go out follow my three simple rules about how to catch carp in the cold:
1) Find some carp that are willing to feed! 2) Give them something they are willing to eat! 3) Give it to them in a way they are willing to eat it!
Over the years we all develop a kind of carpy sixth sense, more commonly known as watercraft, the ability to act upon gut instinct of feeling as to how to go about choosing an area of any given venue to target at any given time. This obviously takes time to develop but there are some tactics everyone, no matter how long they have been fishing can employ. Firstly, and foremost visual observation.
We can look for rolling crashing fish, employ binoculars to scan for signs of bubbling fish. Wear polarized glasses to aid in detecting any change in water clarity that might indicate fish stirring up sediment as they feed. And in recent times purchase a castable sonar device such as the Deeper Pro + unit that I have been using for some time now.
The last on that list (The Deeper unit) has made a huge difference in our ability to choose the best areas to target the carp we are after. I don’t just turn up and scan every swim that’s available, I first go on watercraft to narrow down possible options as to where I want a more in depth look at by doing circuits of the lake. Obviously if I see fish in an area with vacant swims the Deeper is used to gain all the more vital information I am after, such as lake bed topography, weed amounts, bottom makeup, surface water temperature and of course what depth the fish appear to be at. It’s from this information we can decide exactly where to employ Rule Two. other things like Peperami and luncheon meat and simply chop the whole lot up in a food processor to the required consistency. As I said earlier I don’t change much at all from Summer to Winter when it comes to the bait I use. For some years now, I have been employing an approach that is designed to give off as much food signal and attraction as possible while offering little in the way of filling the carp up. Essentially a disappearing food source to create frustration but prolong feeding spells. To this end I first pick a proven boilie and pellet range (for the last two years it has been the System X range from SSP Baits) along with any number of properly prepared nuts, particles and a few
Its then a choice of “balling in” like groundbait, “spodding or spombing” or baiting up with PVA bags. For the hook baits I use the unchopped version of one of the ingredients in the mix which may be a shaved down System X boilie or small tigernut or piece of Peperami. (Where allowed maggots and casters are added to most mixes). Obviously, all manner of food liquids can be added to this mix and I use quite a few BUT one thing I do change from Summer to Winter is the “food oil” content. I still include some oil but at a much lower level (about 25%). North American Carp Angler
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This has worked well enough for me in recent years that I can categorically say I will be using it for a good few years to come although one of the things the Deeper Pro + has shown me throughout its usage is how often this method might have come in second best and that leads me to rule three. are extremely simple in the main; I think Martin Locke said this the best and first “I simply use a big hook and thick string!” We’ve all had sessions where we have packed away thinking “I’m really surprised I didn’t catch more fish? They were over the bait / in the area for certain?” Well on occasion I have had this feeling mid-session and decided to act upon it. Many times, I have had one or two fish and expected more were present, so I have cast the Deeper and had a look through the swim only to see they were above the food source bait bed but in mid water! Zig time! (I am not a massive zig fan, but I am not a fan of not catching either!!) N o w rule three is
about
giving ‘em a bait in a way they are willing to eat in i.e., a Rig that will result in a fish sampling the hook bait and giving us a chance to hook it. If a zig is needed, a zig it is! We all have our favorite rig and set ups and I will admit mine
By this I mean a hook that I trust, a hooklink material that won’t fail me and a set up I know is safe. So, I simply urge you to use what you are confident in. Some people scale down in Winter but it’s not something I ever do. I don’t think big fish can see any better when it’s cold and if a small hook and fine hooklink will land a forty in Winter it will also land ‘em in Summer so use the rigs you are confident in all year round and adopt my three rules and hopefully you will meet a few Winter carp face to face. Until next time I’m off to do what I enjoy and enjoy what I’m doing. Deeper have agreed to sponsor THREE CAG events in 2018. The winners of the Biggest Fish award at the ATC, Spring Big 4 and the CCC events will each win a Deeper Pro + unit worth (RRP: $239.99). A huge thank you to our friends at Deeper for supporting CAG with these great prizes! www.deepersonar.com
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The CAG store has some great items that will be very much appreciated as gifts over the Holiday Season. Check out the range of T-shirts and Hoodie available in a wide selection of sizes and a one size fits all cap. The T-Shirts are made from 100% cotton & available in both long and short sleeve versions.
The
Hoodies
have a front hand pocket and made from 50:50 Cotton & Polyester – an ideal mix for warmth and durability. Each has a large CAG logo on the back and a smaller one on the chest. The Caps are a black polyester material and feature an embroidered CAG badge and accented edge on the peak.
These approx: 2” x 1” embroidered patches come in a choice of 10+, 15+, 20+, 30+, 40+ and even 50+ weights. What a great way to highlight your trophy fish catches or that new PB!
Choose from the CAG range of lapel pins, embroidered iron patches, decals and magnets. Why not add a patch to your favorite fishing shirt, jacket? You could even add on to your bivvy or weight sling! The decals are available in both the new & old style logo and are ideal for personalizing tackle boxes and buckets!
If you want to learn more about the origins and key events in CAG’s history then a CD of Newsletters ranging from 1993 -2002 makes great reading. Ideal for those long winter nights sat in front of the fire or when you are waiting on a run!
Ideal for bankside or brews at home the CAG Coffee & Tea Mugs are dishwasher proof and sure to be a great present that will be very much appreciated for years to come. And don’t’ forget items like the Trailer Hitch Covers, Tape Measure, License Plate Frames and more!
http://www.carpanglersgroup. com/forum/index.php?/store/ category/14-cag-store/
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By Iain Sorrell
As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer the water temperatures will begin to fall. Here in New England, especially when water temps drop below 50F to mid to high 40’s, the carp will take every opportunity to feed in preparation for the extremes of winter. As it drops into the low 40’s and even high 30’s the carp will continue to feed but location, timing and bite detection will become increasingly critical if you want to keep catching.
This sits in the water beyond the rod tip and will highlight small line knocks and bites that are Whenever possible I like to ensure that my rod tips are pointed directly at my baits. This will help to minimize any friction as the line passes through the rod guides so that even the smallest movement is registered on my indicators or bobbins. I would also recommend fishing monofilament in these conditions as it creates far less friction
not being transmitted to the alarm and bobbin indicator. I’ve also used a bankstick set up in the water with a bobbin clipped up on the line. On those occasions when I’m forced to fish my rod tips in the air (big rivers etc) then I’ll be watching the tips intently for the slightest movement.
in the guides than braid. If you do need to fish with your line coming from the rod tip at an angle (perhaps when
You can paint an inch or two
margin or snag fishing) then it might be worth
of the tip with white paint, add
using something like a Solar bobber indicator.
a couple of wraps of reflective tape or attach a small glowstick to help you focus on them more easily at night. If air temperatures are dropping below freezing then it is important to make sure your line is not sticking in your rod guides.
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It is worth taking a few moments after each cast to dry off the guides and wipe any water droplets off the line. Lastly if you fish roller style alarms you should also check to make sure the ‘wheel’ is not frozen solid!
When carp are feeding confidently in the warmer conditions I’m a big fan of ‘tension’ style indicators. However when it cools down I’ll invariably switch over to a bobbin. There are many styles and options to choose from but being able to add or subtract counterweights is vital. I want to have just enough weight on the
At most times of the year keeping your mainline hidden is the name of the game. But in the late fall and winter a fish swimming into your mainline and rattling your bobbin or a couple of beeps on your alarm is often a good indicator of fish in the area. If you are getting regular line bites but no takes then try bringing your baits closer as the fish are clearly somewhere in between. A regular ‘bolt rig’ will continue to work but my preference is to use a running rig in colder conditions. As the water temps fall below 40F a carp’s metabolism will slow and their behavior can become increasingly sluggish. Instead of grabbing a bait and taking off rapidly when it feels the hook a fish may often move slowly or even remain near stationary while trying to shake out the hook. In this instance a running rig fished on a semi-tight line can transmit even the smallest movement back to the bobbin. I like the running lead clips that have a large loop to allow line or leaders to pass through easily while also allowing me to change leads as needed.
bobbin to counter act any line drag (as a result of subsurface currents). This will ensure you have the maximum sensitivity possible. I also like to use a line clip between the bobbin and the reel. This will create a nice ‘V’ shape in the line so that the bobbin movement is straight up and down and once again registering the smallest of line movements.
A well adjusted alarm, balanced bobbin and line clip to give maximum sensitivity! One problem with many cheaper (and some
knocks transmitted up the line and registered
not so inexpensive!) bite alarms is the amount
on the unique Delkim ‘vibration’ sensor. In the
of line movement required to trigger a ‘beep’.
distant past staring for hours on end at the bobbin or rod tip for the smallest movement was
The ability to register even the tiniest line movement can make the difference between
the only way to see what might be happening at the ‘sharp’ end.
landing a new pb or going home after another blank. If your alarm has a sensitivity control then
Now I can be more relaxed and simply ad-
learn to adjust it so you can detect the smallest
just the sensitivity on my Delkims to ensure
movement without triggering false beeps.
that they pick up and register even the slightest knock on the line. In many cases some that
As a long time Delkim alarm fan I have abso-
might not even move the bobbin!
lute confidence in them registering not only the smallest line movement but also line bites and North American Carp Angler
41
That might sound a little far-fetched so let me
In my mind I imagined the fish slowly picking
give a real life example. A few years ago in ear-
up my bait and was now sat stationary while
ly December we had a brief period where the
it’s cold, numbed brain tried to figure out what
day time temperatures rose to the mid fifties
to do next. My hand hovered nervously over
but quickly fell into the mid twenties at night.
the rod and as I watched the bobbin drop back
One last trip to a local lake seemed to be worth
ever so slowly I lifted up and felt the tip bend
the effort but as darkness fell I began to won-
round into a satisfying curve.
der if the cold water temps (38F) would result in a disappointing blank.
I would love to say that an intense battle then
As I was about to pack up around 7pm a fish
followed but to be honest it was quite short
rolled lazily over my baits and I shrugged off the
lived and a lovely common was soon in the net.
cold to give it another half hour or so. Twenty minutes or so passed by and I began to tidy
At 26lb it was a perfect end to a late season
up around my swim when suddenly one of my
session. After a couple of photos she swam
Delkim’s registered a single beep.
back into the icy depths and I made my way
I watched the bobbin intently for any movement, but even with two more beeps, it remained motionless.
home, happy that my season had ended on a high.
CAG UPCOMING EVENTS: CAG’ s F i r s t Fis hing Folly (FFF) 2018
CAG’s First Fishing Folly is back for a 15th year! The FFF is an enjoyable, challenging, North American wide, CAG event held on Monday, January 1, 2018, during which registered anglers can fish anytime from 12:00 midnight to 11:59 p.m. Participants can enter their photographed catches in any number of FFF contest categories. These include: first carp of the year, high total weight, big fish, small fish, big mirror etc. Fishing the FFF takes some strong will-power, a willingness to face the elements, a touch of goofiness, and maybe just a tad of craziness to go fishing for carp at all hours of the day and night on January 1, 2018!
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/topic/57878-fff-2018-detailed-rules/
AT C Champions hip 2018 This year the Austin (TX) Team Championship is being held March 21 – 23rd.
Wednesday March 21st - Corn boil, rules, and BBQ at the Wyndham Hotel Thursday March 22nd - Peg draw at Wyndham Hotel and Fishing Day 1 Friday March 23rd - Peg draw at Wyndham Hotel and Fishing Day 2 Friday Evening - Awards Banquet at Threadgill’s Whats the same and Whats different: - You must be a CAG member to enter. - Teams will be allowed one runner, who will not be allowed to touch any rod/reel with bait, or fish on. - Draw will remain the same, with Chad pulling a team name out of a hat. That team will pick first, and then they will draw the next team out of a hat. Rinse and repeat. - On Day One, teams will pick in order, drawing two pegs and choosing one, within 15 seconds. - On Day Two, the same procedure will apply, with teams drawing in the reverse order of day one. - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners will be determined by Big 6 format. Register here: http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/store/product/247-atc-2018/
North American Carp Angler
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Stop the Spread ! n a e l of Disease Keep it C
There is an ever increasing risk to our lakes and rivers from a wide range of invasive plant and animal species including potential parasites and diseases. As anglers, especially those who travel to different waters, we need to take responsibility to help limit the spread of diseases and invasives. A recent outbreak of KHV (Koi Herpes Virus)
Koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a highly conta-
in Pymatuning State Park, Western Crawford
gious virus that causes significant morbid-
PA has devastated the carp population in the
ity and mortality in common carp (Cyprinus
park’s lake.
carpio) varieties. It was first noted in Great
Since Pymatuning Lake drains into the
Britain in 1996 and in the USA in 1999. It is a
Shenango River, which flows southward out
highly infectious virus that will kill 80 – 100%
of the western lobe of the lake between South
of infected fish when water temperatures are
and West Shenango townships in Crawford
between 60 – 77F especially in the Spring
County there is every risk that the disease
& Fall. Once present in a carp population it
could spread throughout the watershed area
is likely to remain and any fish that recover
downstream of this lake.
from the disease will be potential carriers.
Clinical signs of KHV are often difficult to rec-
Gill lesions caused by KHV disease are the
ognize. Mortality may begin very rapidly in in-
most common clinical signs in affected fish
fected populations, with deaths starting within
but may also include rough patches on the
24 to 48 hours after the initial onset of clinical
skin, sloughing mucous and sunken eyes.
signs. In experimental studies, 82% of fish exposed to the virus at a water temperature of 72°F (22°C) died within the first 15 days.
In some cases, secondary bacterial and parasitic infections may be the most obvious problem, masking the damage caused by the
KHV infection may produce severe gill le-
primary viral infection.
sions which exhibit as gill mottling with red and white patches. The white patches are due to necrosis (death) of the gill tissue.
Affected fish often remain near the surface, swim lethargically and may exhibit respiratory distress and uncoordinated swimming.
Other cyprinids (e.g., goldfish; Carassius auratus and grass carp; Ctenopharyngodon idella) and non-cyprinid species are typically unaffected by KHV, although KHV DNA has been detected in the tissues of goldfish and other fish species exposed to the virus which suggests that these species might be potential carriers for the disease. North American Carp Angler
47
What is truly scary is the consideration by some US States to release fish infected with KHV as a possible means of controlling carp populations.
Cleaning & Disinfection:
The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center is considering biocontrol (viruses) and biotoxins as part of their plans to remove carp from state waters. Clearly this type of ‘biological warfare’ against carp may well have serious repercussions for other species and the environment at large. A similar program to use KHV in Australia has been heavily criticized by fisheries scientists from around the world who fear that the use of live virus poses an unacceptable risk. In addition to KHV there is always a risk of transferring invasive plant (such European milfoil or didymo) or animal species (zebra mussels & fishhook water fleas).
Don’t Wait… Remember KHV is very difficult to detect! After each session make it a priority to wash and treat your landing nets, mats, weigh slings and retainers as well as any clothing or boots and waders that might been in contact with any fish. This is the only way to help prevent the spread of KHV and other potentially devastating diseases or invasives.
In the first instance make sure you remove any traces of weed, silt or organic matter (fish scales, snails etc) from your tackle while still at the water side. Rinsing nets & mats with water and allowing to dry thoroughly (preferably in direct sunlight) is a very effective means of removing & destroying infective agents. However if you plan on fishing again within a 48 hour period or if the gear is still damp then the use of a chemical disinfectant is essential, especially if you plan to visit another river or lake.
Viral particles like KHV can remain infectious for up to 3 days if they remain in a damp environment (padded fish care mats can absorb water into the foam so need special attention when cleaning).
– up to 1 hour soak time being recommended. It is also worth noting that some people with breathing issues, such as asthma, are potentially sensitive to QA products. I made a simple ‘dunk tank’ for my nets and slings from 12” PVC pipe and use a spray bottle of disinfectant for my mats. It really doesn’t take much time to clean everything and ideally as soon as you get home. It not
Bleach: Bleach is a very effective disinfectant agent, but it is a caustic substance that can be corrosive to aluminum and other sensitive fishing equipment. Soak or spray equipment for at least one
only helps keep your vehicle and home smelling much better but also helps to deter mice and other kritters from making a meal of your precious gear! Just remember to thoroughly rinse everything to remove any traces of the disinfectant and dry everything thoroughly before storing.
minute with a 2% bleach solution (3 ounces of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water).
Last words… If you suspect that an out break of KHV may have occurred on a water you are fishing (diseased or dying carp) please report it immediately to your local DNR or State Fisheries organization. It would also be important to warn other carp
Quaternary Ammonium
anglers via social media as this might be the only way we can prevent an outbreak spreading & devastating other waters!
cleaners like Pine Sol, 409, Bio-Quat etc are also effective but require longer periods to be effective North American Carp Angler
49
The NACA is continuing to highlight our CAG Business Supporters by giving our members some insight as to their businesses and origins. In the last issue we featured Trilogy baits and now David Moore tells us about Big Carp Tackle and Carp Tackle Imports.
Over the past 12 years Moore has used his background in business & finance along with his passion for carp angling to build & grow BCT. Started in 2005 BCT bucked the trend of those who tried operating a business from a basement or garage and started as a legitimate fulltime operation with employees. “You have to be professional and extremely organized with tackle arriving in both small air orders or 40’ shipping containers. “
BCT aims to provide its US customers with
The European carp scene is growing at an in-
the very latest carp products and has close
credible pace with new products and innova-
to six thousand SKUs (individual items) on its
tions coming out all the time.
shelves.
Moore travels to Europe at least once a year
These include leading brands such as Fox,
to see the latest products on display at carp
Korda, Nash, Diawa, Delkim Prologic, Gardner,
shows. In early 2018 he’ll be at the Zwolle and
Solar, Mainline, CC Moore, Trakker & Spomb
Brentwood shows to meet with suppliers &
as well as many of the most innovative baits
tackle manufacturers and review the logistics
& products coming from upcoming brands like
of importing to the USA.
Enterprise, Hinders, Spotted Fin and Ridgemonkey.
North American Carp Angler
51
In 2012 BCT moved into a wholly owned pur-
We’re going to focus more on the wholesale
pose built 8,000 sqft warehouse near Bartles-
distribution with Carp Tackle Imports side of
ville, OK. In addition to Jack and Boomer (the
things going forward. We’re finding more and
company shop cat and guard dog) BCT now
more small tackle shops interested in the prod-
has 3 full and 3 part time employees, includ-
ucts we import.
ing Zach Testa grandson of Bud Yancey the co-founder of the Carp Anglers Group.
He says the success of stores in NY, CT, RI, IL and IN have demonstrated there are growing local markets where folk want to see items for
Jake Downing from Austin Carp Anglers also
themselves and buy local.
took on the role of Warehouse Manager this last summer. Moore says that with the current
The advantage of stores working with us is
growth in carp fishing he’ll need to look toward
narrowing down what items their customers
finding bigger premises in the next 3-5 years.
are looking for plus we also have 50+ years of USA carp angling experience between us to
“We need to continually invest in new infrastructure and plan for the
help support them. The launch of its new Youtube channel along
future. We are routinely upgrading
with the existing BigCarp.News site are just
our online shopping software for
over the coming months.
some of the exciting things BCT is working on
new mobile services and make and ensure customer security.”
As Moore says:
“We’re always moving forWhile BCT focuses on shipping orders to its customers throughout the USA it is also open to folk who want to come in & browse the shelves. “Our inventory is displayed on the shelves. We know people still like to see firsthand what they are buying.” It’s a lot of work but Moore hopes to take BCT on the road more often to encourage local fishing stores to carry carp tackle.
ward trying to stay on top of things. If not, we’d just be kicking the rocks down the road to nowhere.”
North American Carp Angler
43
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