North American Carp Magazine 2019 Q3

north american

CARP ANGLER

2019 Q3

IN THIS ISSUE: CAG NEWS AND REVIEWS; INCLUDING C A G B I G 4 S P R I N G R E V I E W, C C C 2 0 1 9 D E TA I L S , AT C R E V I E W A N D N E C C R E V I E W CAG REGIONAL REPORTS

www.joincag.com

Hope you all enjoy this edition and as al-

ways, if anyone would like to contribute; please send any communications or materials to naca@carpanglersgroup.com Dean Brookes

Editor in Chief

After a very rainy spring we are now well

into the summer and looking forward to a number of CAG Events in the fall. A firm fa-

vorite is the CAG Fall Big 4 contest and in this edition you’ll get to see the results of a very well fought Spring contest where we

saw a number of big fish caught, topped by a 51lb beast to Kody Clayton, which features as our cover shot. We also see the

CCC return to Chicago this year as well as another edition of Discovery month.

In this edition we have a number of CAG

Event reviews, regional write-ups and several articles. We introduce Lynn Newsome

as the new Women’s Director with her first

article and welcome back one of our young-

er writers, Ryan Munn. Iain Sorrell details

some history on carp genetics and I feature some of the captures I enjoyed in Italy in the first part of a double article.

As always we rely on our members contri-

butions and I want to thank everyone; both

past and present who has contributed to

this magazine over the years. Without your input the magazine would cease to exist.

On the cover: Kody Clayton with a stunning - 51lb 14oz common carp

Letter from CAG president In this issue of the NACA I’m delighted to welcome Brian Wisnowski to the CAG Board as our Junior Program Director.

This critical role will not only help introduce more kids to carp fishing but also show them the importance of better handling techniques and protection of trophy fish!

I’m also delighted to welcome Lynn Newsome to the CAG Board as our Director of Women’s Programs. This is a brand new position created as a result of Lynn’s enthusiasm to welcome & encourage more female anglers to try carp fishing.

What better way to ensure the future of carp fishing in North America!

These two programs appointments highlight just one aspect of the importance of becoming a CAG member. CAG is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers. Introducing people (of all ages) to the fun & excitement of carp fishing, encouraging better handling of fish, promoting catch & release and of course the protection of trophy carp are all part of the CAG mission.

Our membership numbers play a significant role toward influencing State Fishery organizations when seeking support for carp angling. This is especially true in our efforts to limit the impact of bowfishing and the irresponsible movement of trophy carp for commercial gain.

Even if you don’t take an active role please know that every cent of your $20 annual membership is critical in helping CAG fulfill its mission. Even if you don’t take an active role please know that every cent of your $20 annual membership is critical in helping CAG fulfill its mission. Our special membership drive is aimed to takes us towards our goal of 1,000 members!

There has never been a better time to join & support CAG. Join before August 31st to be entered for a chance to win some great prizes! http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/topic/58791-cag-membershipdrive-prizes/ We are always looking for more volunteers to help support CAG and become ‘Ambassadors’ for our sport. Even if you can only spare 1-2 hours / week that is often enough to help us run events and support local state chairs etc.

This year’s CAG Carp Classic (CCC) will take place on the Des Plaines River in Joliet IL on September 28th. My thanks to Chad Bettisch and the Mid-State Carpers for putting on this great event which is now in its 25th year!

Enjoy this latest NACA magazine and some great fishing over the summer months.

Tight Lines!

Iain Sorrell

President

North American Carp Angler

3

Conte n ts

CAG BOARD NEWS

Page 6

CAG spring big 4

Page 7

PLACE OF DREAMS

Page 15

The Origins of North American Carp

Page 27

CAG Carp Classic 2019

Page 40

MIRROR QUEST

Page 44

Arizona Fish-In 2019

Page 51

The Discovery of Carp

Page 61

3rd Annual North American Carp Conference

Page 67

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CAG BOARD NEWS We’d like to thank one of the CAG Board Members who is leaving and welcome two new additions.

Phil Nathan our Events Director will be moving back to England in September and as a result is stepping down from the position. I know there are many who have gotten to know Phil in recent years and some, like myself, consider themselves fortunate indeed to have shared time on the bank with him. Phil is a first-class angler. His superb watercraft skills and adaptation to new and challenging situations helped win him the 2016 CT River Carp Tournament. We wish you the very best for the future and thank you for your service to CAG. Brian Wisnowski recently joined CAG Board as our new Junior Program Director. This critical role will not only help introduce more kids to carp fishing but also guide them toward the importance of better fish handling techniques and the protection of trophy fish! Brian is an avid carp angler of course but many of you will also know Brian as the owner of Linear Baits which has been a great supporter in donating prizes for CAG events.

Lynn Newsome joins CAG Board as our Director of Women’s Programs. This is a brand new position created as a result of Lynn’s enthusiasm to welcome & encourage more female anglers to try carp fishing. Lynn first started carp fishing when she was 8 years old tagging along with her grandfather. She recently rekindled her passion for fishing & joined CAG to learn more.

Along with support from Chris Sampson and Amy Demrovsky Lynn has also started the Ladies Carp Club USA. We’ll be posting updates on future social events and opportunities to help support these intrepid women.

Results This year the Spring Big 4 was extended from March 16 to June 15th.

This allowed anglers from all parts of North America an opportunity to fish for the heavier pre-spawn fish in their local state. Over 80 anglers registered - an all time record!

The Top Ten Big 4 Winners Kody Clayton

153.0 lb

Tom Schulten

151.03 lb

Sean Clayton

140.0 lb North American Carp Angler

7

David Dakin 139.0

Barry Howard 133.04

Dean Brookes 132.09

North American Carp Angler

9

Chris Matthews 132.06

Dave Pickering 126.12

Todd Richer 122.11

Blayne Beeler 116.15

North American Carp Angler

11

The Top Ten anglers will each receive a $ credit to their accounts with Big Carp Tackle. Our thanks again to BCT for continuing to support this popular CAG event.

Regional Winners: Region 1

Kody Clayton

153.0 lb

Region 2

Kirk Suedmeyer

91.07 lb

Region 3

Pieter Oberholzer

105.12 lb

Region 4

Paul Woodmansey

76.15 lb

Each Regional winner will receive a commemorative plaque with a photo of one of their Big 4 fish submitted.

Big Fish Winners Big Common Big Mirror

Kody Clayton

51 lb 14oz

Chris Matthews

39 lb 12oz

The Big Fish winners will each receive a Linear Bait Session Pack worth $100. Our thanks to Linear Baits for supporting CAG and the Spring Big 4 Big Fish Winners.

Regions

R1 ME, NH, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, WV, VA, DC, DE, PA R2 ND, SD, NB, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, KY, OH R3 TN, NC, SC, GA, TX, MS, OK, LA, FL, AR, AL R4 WA, OR, CA, NV, NM, CO, WY, ID, AZ, MT, UT R5 Canada, Mexico

North American Carp Angler

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Featuring ‘The Big Plated’

© 2016 Dovetail Games, a trading name of RailSimulator.com Limited (“DTG”). All rights reserved. “Dovetail Games” is a registered trademark of Dovetail Games Limited. Unreal® Engine, copyright 1998-2016 Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved. Unreal® is a registered trademark of Epic Games. All other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Developed and published by DTG

PLACE OF DREAMS – PARCO DEL BRENTA The excitement grows as soon as you pull through the gates

If you’ve been around carp fishing for any

By Dean Brookes Over the last few years, more and more coun-

length of time you will be aware of extreme-

tries are now producing fish in excess of 30kg’s

ly large carp being caught in many European

(65lb+) and some of the locations are very in-

countries. Back when I was in England, the go

teresting.

to foreign trip was to France and at that time

In my own fishing, I’ve found it harder and

most of the fishing was, ‘drive and survive’

harder to get out regularly over the last year or

style, with little access to local tackle or help.

two and have tended to base my carping on a couple of longer sessions each season, North American Carp Angler

15

sometimes aiming at more local venues

Fortunately, one of the other anglers was pick-

(such as upstate New York) and other times at

ing up bait from the factory for the same trip

more remote locations (Texas, Tennessee etc).

and was kind enough to throw it into his van;

I started to look at overseas options last year

thanks Jamie.

and had a few spots in mind, but it was my good

Tackle was straight forward as part of the

friend Iain Sorrell who swung the pendulum in

trip is the use of several items, including; rods

the direction of Italy. Iain had done a couple of

(3 rods and a spod/marker rod), nets, weigh

trips to Parco Del Brenta and the results were

slings, unhooking mats, bivvy, bed chair, sleep-

outstanding with both numbers of fish, sizes

ing bag, cooking equipment and a couple of

and the actual location and surroundings.

smaller items.

All I needed to take over myself was reels,

Fast forward to October 2018, when surfing

alarms, bank sticks and my tackle box with all

online I saw that there were a couple of late

of my terminal items. As I opted for the food

drop-outs on an upcoming November trip. This

package I knew I would be all set for breakfast

trip was run by well know angler Frank Warwick

and supper and a trip to the grocery store on

and with Iain’s recommendation I knew I would

the first day would fulfil all of my needs for the

be able to get signed up. However, first I had

week.

I also booked a couple of trips to California at

NOVEMBER TRIP – A SOLO EFFORT

the same time the wife was happy enough to

and some of the other lads on the trip. All in all

let me disappear for 8 days.

everyone was friendly and all were looking for-

to get the wife to approve! Fortunately, I had just received a decent check (which I was not expecting) so money was not an issue and as

On arrival at the airport I met up with Frank

ward to getting onto the lake. We were picked Having booked a flight with Iberia airlines and

up by some of the Parco owners and took the

arranged accommodation on the days prior

60 minute drive to the lake, which is situated to

and after the trip, all that was left to do was

the North of Venice. Once we got to Parco, we

order some bait and pack my gear.

grabbed a few beers and had a walk around.

Several of the lads had been there before so

Experience helps in these situations and I spoke to a few people first before deciding on the amount of bait I would need; which in this case was around 25kg of Spotted Fin Catalyst boilie, along with some liquid tuna, stick mixes and hook-baits.

I knew they would have their own ideas of the areas they wanted to fish.

PEG DRAW

One of the nice features about Frank’s trips is that the lake is booked out for our private use.

As such we decided on how many swims were

However, with an upcoming cold front and

available and also areas that would be taken

less pressure, most of us thought that the fish

out of the draw to cut down on anglers being

would end up being in 2 or 3 main areas, these

too close to each other. Most of the anglers

being a couple of patrol routes and the deeper

paired up as there are numerous double swims

side of the lake.

and I agreed to fish with another guy who made the trip on his own, Dave.

As each name came out of the hat I knew that my fate was sealed. No surprise that myself

Now I’ve never had any luck in peg draws, one

and Dave came out last! Oh well, no point in

of the reasons I do not like to fish in competi-

dwelling on it and with only a few areas left we

tions and this trip was no exception. The week

decided on Peg 22, based on Dave’s conver-

prior had seen a few more anglers on the lake

sations with a few anglers fishing in previous

and fish had been caught from all over.

weeks. Off we went and the next few hours were spent setting everything up before dark.

An overview of the Parco Del Brenta lake and the pegs

FAST START

Peg 22 is a small arm of the lake that the carp

fishing for 3-5 hours after dark so I was fairly confident we’d have some fish to go at.

like to come into during the hours of darkness.

I’d decided that less would be more in this area

Iain, on one of his previous trips had managed

and fishing one or two rods so there would be

to snare a few really nice fish in this peg,

less lines in the swim would be the way to go.

North American Carp Angler

17

The previous week had seen a couple of German carpers in the swim and they had caught quite well, fishing to the far tree line, tight to the overhanging foliage. With an upcoming drop in temperatures I felt that we’d probably have less fish in the area and by keeping lines and disturbance at a minimum we’d probably increase our chances.

This was proven in the first hour when after putting around 6 spombs of bait out to the bottom of the far marginal shelf I had a carp on the end of my line with the first cast! This also proved the effectiveness of the pellet method.

I was over the moon to be off the mark, with a near leather carp of 36lb’s or so.

First cast…..first fish As I was also getting lots of line bites I knew we had quite a few fish in the swim and most likely would get a few more pick-ups that evening. My fishing partner, Dave was also keen to get in on the action, but after positioning 3 rods across to the far margins it was obvious the fish were now aware of our presence as the line bites stopped shortly after.

Only an hour later a cold rain and wind descended and I retreated to the warmth of the bivvy and awaited further action.

MAKING MISTAKES

With the cold wind and already experiencing a

BLANKING

The cold weather front definitely seemed to

few line bites, I have to admit when my alarm

knock the fish off the feed, independent of our

get out of the bivvy.

the only areas that consistently produced fish

sounded a few times I glanced out but did not

Maybe it was the long day of travel or the cold

conditions or the fact I thought the beeps were a line bite, but I was gutted when I approached

the rod at first light to see the line going at a dif-

ferent angle at least 30 yards from where I had put the bait. It was obvious a fish had picked up the rig and kited on a tight line before getting rid

of the whole set-up! I hate losing fish, but more so when I know it’s my fault.

I also felt that the hook link I was using was too

own area. In fact for the next couple of days

were Peg 1 (a point swim) where Steve Briggs

was enjoying his second week and Peg 9; the deepest part of the lake. Everywhere else on

the lake, there were a few fish coming out, but even in one of the most productive bays (Peg 17 and 16) the boys were struggling. For an area that had produced over 100 fish the week

previous it was amazing that over the course of the week there were literally less than 10 bites from this area!

In Peg 22 it was extremely quiet with virtually

long. Fishing ‘the method’ is a fairly unique ap-

no signs of line bites, which I think was a com-

od’ in the USA it’s not quite the same. Instead

I persevered for the next 3 days, also fish-

proach and although we have a similar ‘methof using an oats based method, I was using a fishmeal pellet (2mm) which was scaled with

hot water. The hook link was also reduced to around 3 inches, using a stripped down coated braid so that the section was supple.

Finally, a size 8 hook was attached with a

knotless knot and a single grain of sinking plastic maize was placed onto the hair.

A size 8 hook may seem small when the fish exceed 80lb’s but it’s perfect with the ‘method’ as the hook bait is more of a ‘pick-up’ as it’s buried into the feeder.

bination of angling pressure and the weather.

ing a baited area in Peg 2, but again with no

signs of fish. I was making the effort to stay up in the night and try to listen for fish in the

hopes of finding a sign of where to move. After hearing fish crash out in numbers around 200-

300 yards from me I decided that I needed to change something. I was confident that if both

myself and Dave stayed in Peg 22, neither of

us would catch. Basically, one of us needed to move.

I awaited first light and then proceeded to

pack up everything and move around to an

area where I had heard the fish in the night.

This area (Peg 4) was fairly consistent with a steady depth of 16 feet in front of me. I prompt-

ly deposited some bait and hoped that my luck would change.

North American Carp Angler

19

NEW PLAN OF ACTION

My decision to move was partly based on my own desire to change things and also knowing this would provide Dave with a better opportunity to catch a fish or two. Imagine my surprise when Dave came past me a few hours later, also deciding to move to a new area! I’m sure he had the same desire as me to make something happen but this also offered another opportunity to maximize Peg 22. A plan was formed.

A cracking sunset on a cool November night I would fish Peg 4 for the rest of the session

With some bigger casting rods, a shock lead-

and let Peg 22 have a night with no pressure.

er (banned at Parco) and a lighter main-line

This was Thursday, so effectively my plan was

(15lb is the minimum allowed) I’m sure I could

to leave the area for over 24 hours and then try

have gotten much closer to the fish, but that’s

a one rod approach.

the nature of the venue.

Thursday night I deposited some free bait

I fished Peg 4 hard for the following 24 hours,

onto a spot in Peg 22 and I repeated this in

and although there were fish in front of me,

the late afternoon the next day. At this point, I

they were out of range (around 160-180 yards

was trying to keep my plans to myself as I knew

away) and also out of the zone I was allowed to

it really was an area where one rod would be

fish from the peg.

enough.

EFFORT VS REWARD

Sitting on my hands I was waiting for a steady

Sometimes luck will play a major factor in

take as I knew the fish were hitting the feeder

captures and I’ve had several occasions when

rather than picking up the hook bait. Five min-

I know a certain event has been more being in

utes later I got exactly what I was looking for

the right place at the right time than any par-

and connected with a steady resistance.

ticular display of skill. In this case I just wanted one chance. One chance to fish the swim correctly and see if I could tempt another fish.

Over the next 10 minutes I played a carp that stayed deep and silently I prayed that it would stay on, especially as in the depths I saw a

After dark, I took one rod, a net and a chair

rather rotund Italian mirror. A few heart stopping

and crept into the swim with little disturbance.

moments later it was in the net and I punched

I had already clipped up to the distance I had

the air in celebration.

baited; 48 yards or in more modern terms, ’12 wraps’. Bait wise I had mixed a few handfuls of

I quickly unhooked the fish and placed it in a

the 2mm pellet (the pellet that they sell onsite

retaining sling as all of my camera gear and

is excellent), another couple of handfuls of

scales were in my other swim. As far as size

10mm boilies (Spotted Fin Catalyst) and a lib-

is concerned I could have cared less but not

eral amount of liquid tuna. The effect the tuna

only was it over 50lb’s it was over the magical

had was fantastic.

25 kilo mark as well. Rather than keep the fish

Not only did it soak into the boilies and pel-

overnight, I took a few self takes and returned it

let, it also acted as a binder so that many of

back to the depths. A quick recast was in order

the pellets would be stuck together on the lake

to see if I would have one more chance.

bed.

I molded a handful of scalded pellet around

Again, several line bites later and this time the

the feeder and buried the hook bait inside the

alarm sounded with a single tone. Picking the

pellet. One cast was all I made to get the rod in

rod up I struck into thin air…….an occurrence

position and after placing the rod on the rests

I would later think about and apply to a subse-

and slacking off the line to give myself a good

quent trip.

drop on the bobbin, I retreated away from the water and wrapped myself up. It was a cold night, down to low 30’s but I was determined to stay in place…..or freeze!

After around 90 minutes and a few crashes in the bay, my alarms started to register a number of line bites.

North American Carp Angler

21

A smug grin or it could be the strain of holding up a fat Italian mirror carp Happy with one fish I made my way back to my swim at around mid-night and drifted off

FINAL CHANCES

to sleep in a very good mood.

Moving into the final day and night I felt the need to change a couple of things in my approach to Peg 4. Again, the fish I had heard and seen during the night were at range and with the angler on the opposite bank having moved I felt I could try to cast closer to the fish by changing a couple of things.

I also wanted to repeat the night time sortie into Peg 22, but this was cut short as a couple of people had seen the flash from my camera and had assumed someone had caught.

Dave mentioned this to me and I gave him the details and agreed we would try again that night with one rod each. I baited two spots in the afternoon although I knew that this would probably reduce our chances. We fished it again for a few hours at night and the fish activity was noticeably less (due to more disturbance, with several casts) although it was pleasing to see Dave catch a fish after struggling all week as well.

Back to my own swim I had switched two of the rods to helicopter set-ups and on one I had a single pop-up and on the other a snowman presentation.

I attached a very small PVA stick to each rod

showing fish but much closer than previous

and after wetting down the reels I cast the rods

nights and the hope was that one of the big-

as far as I felt was possible with 15lb line.

ger more wary fish was travelling away from the crowds.

I know for sure I could have cast harder, but

At around 5am on a very foggy Saturday

I also knew this would potentially result in a

morning the left hand alarm burst into life and

‘crack off’. I’d estimate that the snowman set-

I was very pleased to welcome a 32lb leather

up was fishing around 120 yards and the pop-

into my net. As it was freezing and only a cou-

up (which had a smaller 2 boilie pva stick on it)

ple of hours before dawn I secured the fish in

was a little further.

the retainer and re-cast the rod. This was on

I knew I was still at least 30 yards from the

the snowman set-up.

Three days of effort led to this last night ‘reward’ An hour later the right hand rod signaled a similar take and I struck into what can only be described as a tank! The fish was very powerful and for the next 20 minutes I would gain 5 yards of line only to lose it shortly after. Finally I had the fish in the margins, but being over 17 feet deep the game was still afoot with the fish doing laps back and forth until it came to a complete stand still. For around 10 minutes I could not move the fish and at first I thought I must be snagged.

North American Carp Angler

23

At this point I’d also realized that this was not a carp and was most likely a big sturgeon of which there were several in the lake. Winding down on the fish I took an almighty heave, with the rod joints all creaking and very slowly the fish started to rise up through the depths.

On the surface the fish was several feet long and I now had the dilemma of how to land it, on my own, with a broken net (the cord had snapped a few nights prior).

I quickly took the net apart and grabbing the leadcore leader I waded out to the fish and scooped it into the net before manhandling it onto the unhooking mat.

I was most definitely not in Italy to catch sturgeon, but after a grueling week it was more than welcome and not only a new species but also a bigger specimen and an absolutely stunning fish.

It weighed in at just under 60lb’s and after a bit of maneuvering I got some decent pictures. It’s very different from holding a big carp and more like holding a grass carp. One thing that was instantly obvious was the power of the fish. All muscle.

An epic battle led to this sturgeon being my final fish of the trip Happy with the end of the session I packed away and spoke to Frank before my departure to book back in for 2019.

I learnt a lot from that first trip, and even though I had only caught three carp and a sturgeon it had been more than worth it. Firstly, the peg draw; while not absolutely crucial to success a higher peg draw and a greater knowledge of the swims was a big advantage. Surely I couldn’t do any worse than last place. Secondly, although I really enjoyed fishing with Dave who was good company and shared many tales, drinks and food we had differing approaches.

It would be much better for me to either pair up with someone I already knew and had similar ideas or I would fish on my own. Another lesson was in terms of swims and areas; I knew exactly the three or four areas I wanted to fish but I also tried to pick up as much information about other areas as possible.

I’d also made some valuable decisions in terms of set-ups. Over the course of speaking to many locals and anglers that had fished the venue before the common approach was to fish with a lot of smaller bait items such as the onsite pellet (2mm and 6mm), fish the method and

also fish very small hook baits. While there’s no doubt this approach was very successful I also felt that my own style of fishing would be successful if I had more fish in front of me. I would not discount the local methods but I would also plan to use my own ideas. One particular thing that had made me think was the false pick-up I’d had after the big mirror. On an early spring session I’d seen evidence of something similar when after a massive drop-back bite (fishing in 5 feet of water) a fish appeared on the surface with the whole method ball in its mouth, which came straight out on the strike. I’m sure this was happening as some fish were picking up the whole method ball, lead and all and swimming off. A slight change to this method would result in much better results.

Tune in to the next edition of ‘North American Carp Angler’ for the second part of the Italian adventure where I return and attempt to learn from my mistakes and capture more monster carp.

25 North American Carp Angler

The Origins of North American Carp Ever since the arrival of the first settlers North America has become a home to people from incredibly diverse countries and heritage. Learning more about our backgrounds has been made easier by the advent of websites such as Ancestory.com that allow searches to trace family members and other relatives from a host of database records. Now with a simple DNA sample we can now learn even more about the likely regional origins of our ancestors. So that set me thinking about tracing the origins of our favorite sport fish!

In North American waters the carp we are

Over fishing, logging operations, dams and

most likely to catch are fully scaled ‘commons’.

pollution from industrial waste were just some

And with less than 1 in 200 carp captures pro-

of the issues devastating US water ways and

ducing the occasional mirror carp it begs the

their native inhabitants. As a result of lobbying

question… Why do we have such a predomi-

by a few notable entrepreneurs, such as Julius

nance of ‘commons’ over here? Is it a given

Poppe, the commission began importing carp

that a population of mirror carp will invariably

form Germany and these fish were soon being

revert back to one that is made up of fully scaled

bred and raised in stock ponds around Wash-

carp? Why are there some notable exceptions

ington, DC.

where the percentage of mirror carp is much higher than typical and in a few rare locations

The commission heralded the carp’s “ability

exclusively mirrors? In trying to answer these

to populate waters to the greatest extent”, its

questions and, and prompted by my rusty sci-

“good table qualities” along with its “hardy na-

ence background, I decided to try and under-

ture”. As a result carp were seen as a ready

stand more about the carp population of North

answer to restore dwindling fish stocks and

America.

provide adequate food resources for the grow-

First let’s review some history on the intro-

ing population.

duction of carp to North America. In 1871 the US Fish Commission was created to investi-

The US Fish Commission recorded its first in-

gate “the causes of decrease in supply of use-

troduction of carp in 1876 and by 1879 some

ful food-fishes of the United States, and of the

12,000 federal carp had been distributed to

various factors entering into the problem; and

various states and territories. Only six years af-

the determination and employment of such ac-

ter the first introductions an 1892 commission

tive measures as may seem best calculated to

report highlighted some staggering statistics

stock or restock the waters of the rivers, lakes

on the numbers of carp being bred.

and sea.”

North American Carp Angler 27

In Washington DC the commission ponds held 157,490 adult & yearling carp, 9,600 tench, 3,400 Golden Ide and 10,700 Goldfish.

In

Michigan

alone the demand for carp was simply mind boggling.

In

1886

there

were

3,485 applicants for state hatchery carp and in the decade between 1880 – 1890 over 50,000 federal carp had been planted in Michigan waters!

These formal introductions of carp were relatively short lived and by the mid to late 1890’s the grand experiment to raise carp for food was, primarily as a result of poor aquaculture, seen as a failure.

Muddy farm ponds and polluted rivers soon ruined America’s taste for what European’s had long considered a culinary delicacy.

And, as we now know, it didn’t take long for

the hundreds of thousands of already transplanted carp to quickly extend their boundaries still further.

So what do we know about the origins of those carp introduced in the 1800’s and perhaps more importantly were they were commons, mirrors or other scale patterns?

One of the commissions records reveal that some 60,000 Carp Scale, 2,500 Carp Scale Blue, 91,000 Carp Leather and 263 ‘Carp Leather Blue’ were received in DC with most being re-distributed across the USA. Unfortunately we only have a limited understanding of what these terms might suggest for the genetics, shape and scaling of the carp.

A typical USA Common As scale patterns in carp are genetically con-

The combination of these two ‘halves’ at the

trolled we first have to understand some basic

process of fertilization completes our ‘whole’

terminology. We all inherit characteristics (such

allotment of genetic material. How a gene is

as eye or hair color, body characteristics and

expressed in us as an individual can depend

in some cases susceptibility to specific medical

on a number of factors (such as being male or

conditions) from our biological parents.

female).

There can also be one or more genes involved

These inherited characteristics are deter-

in an expressed trait. This is the case for hu-

mined by our genetic information or genes. We

man eye color where the combination of two

receive half our genetic information from each

genes determines if you have brown, green or

one of our biological parents.

blue eyes.

North American Carp Angler

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An allele is one or more of the ways that a particular gene might be expressed. When a gene has two or more different alleles it is termed heterozygous and one is usually dominant over the other.

A dominant gene is written with a capital letter e.g. ‘N’ while a recessive is shown in the corresponding lower case letter ‘n’. Since we inherit half our genetic material from each parent the possible combinations that you might inherit could be NN, Nn or nn.

In the case of human eye color we said there are two genes and each of these genes has a pair of alleles. The combination of these results in the following possible outcomes.

When we think of a ‘common’ we usually picture in our minds a fully scaled carp. But when we talk about ‘common’ carp as a species (Cyprinus carpio) we need to consider ALL the possible scale variations (mirror, linear, fully scaled etc).

Scale Pattern Genetics

Ss or ss and NN, Nn or nn. SS or Ss will give

Almost 80 years ago research conducted by

recessive ss will only produce a mirror carp.

us a typical fully scaled ‘Common’ carp but the

Kirpichnikov’s (GENETICS OF THE COMMON

However that is not the end of the story as we

CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO L) AND OTHER

must now take into account the effect of the ‘N’

EDIBLE FISHES By V.S. Kirpichnikov Scientific

gene.

Research Institute on Lake and River Fisheries

This leads to combinations that are either NN,

Leningrad, U.S.S.R.) examined the genetics

Nn or nn in each offspring. Kirpichnikov’s re-

of scaling in common carp. Kirpichnikov deter-

search found that the NN combination is a ‘le-

mined that there are two genes responsible for

thal’ gene. This meant there were no offspring

scale patterns: S & N. Each is made up of two

as a result of the following three outcomes

alleles and can be expressed as follows SS,

SSNN or SsNN or ssNN.

Kirpichnikov results considered the outcomes of a SS or Ss carp with the following combinations:

So we could have the following combinations: ssNN, ssNn or ssnn.

How will these combinations be expressed

SSNN or SsNN = Death, SSNn or SsNn= Lin-

as scale patterns? ssNN does not produce off-

ear Scale pattern SSnn or Ssnn = normal com-

spring because of the lethal gene while ssNn

mon scale pattern

is expressed as a leather carp and ssnn as a

Our last scale pattern scenario is determined

‘scattered’ or typical mirror. The results of these

by the ss outcome which is expressed as a

combinations can be seen in the following (pu-

‘mirror’.

net) table.

However more recent work with Hungarian

The research results also showed a corre-

carp breeders and other researchers suggests

sponding reduction in pharyngeal teeth with an

that the NN combination does not necessarily

average of 6 - 8 instead of the typical 9-10 for

result in a lethal outcome. In fact some more

fully scaled and scattered pattern fish. As a re-

recent studies have suggested that NN was as

sult these NN or Nn carp often showed slower

likely to survive as a Nn fish.

growth rates especially in poor nutrient envi-

Leather (nude carp) and Linear carp that have

ronments.

the dominant N allele (vs a recessive ‘n’ allele in common or mirrors) have been shown to be

It has also been said that some European aq-

inherently ‘weaker’ than commons or mirrors.

uarists have now moved away from producing

Those weaknesses include a reduction in fin

‘linear’ carp as the lack of scales makes them

size or an increased fin deformity and a de-

more prone to disease and less tolerant of se-

ceased number of scales that was most preva-

vere winter conditions.

lent in Leathers (nudes).

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Carp Evolution?

There is also evidence

that high proportions of fully scaled mirror carp in some populations are the outcome

of

evolutionary

trends over several generations. In 2016 a paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society for Biological Science

http://rspb.royal-

societypublishing.org/content/283/1837/20160945 examined why mirror (ssnn) carp introduced into Madagascar from France in 1912 now showed a significantly higher proportion of fully scaled mirrors than would otherwise be expected.

These fully scaled mirrors still carried the homozygous loss-of-function mutation for the scale cover gene (fgfr1a1) that should have resulted in the typical reduced scale cover.

But these (ss) mirrors had, over just 40 generations, developed a dramatically increased number (118 – 260) of scales covering the body over the originally inCarp scale types depicted in a United States Bureau of Fisheries report

troduced mirrors which had far fewer scales (less than 80).

For comparison a normal (SS or Ss) fully scaled ‘common’ would have a minimum of 390 scales.

The belief is that these fish could never get back to the scale density of true commons because they still carried the (ss) mirror mutation. Instead the environment did the next best thing and selected for those fish that had the highest density ‘mirror’ scale coverage. One assumption is that any increase in scale coverage helps protect the carp from disease & injury. As this was heritable it only took a few generations before it came to dominate some populations.

So how do we get such an extraordinary range & density of scale patterns that we see among mirror carp? As they all share the same ssnn phenotype there must be other factors influencing the differing scale patterns. The variations now appear to be due to the presence and influence of at least 10 ‘modifier’ genes. However the mode of inheritance for these genes has not yet been scientifically determined.

Origins of North American Carp It seems likely that the majority of the carp in the USA originated from Germany. This then begs the question as to which strain are they most likely to have been?

In a ‘Report on the transportation of a collection of living carp from Germany’ Dr O. Finsch reveals a source of 100 small 6-8” carp being transported from Luebbinchen near Guben, Prussia (now on on the border of Germany & Poland). These carp were mostly mirrors classified as rex cyprinorum or Royal carp.

Royal Carp from the New York Public Library, 1784 - 179 North American Carp Angler

33

Dr Finch details keeping the fish in barrels at temps of 40-45F by adding ice on a once or twice daily basis. Remarkably 23 fish survived the long journey. Other possible German carp strains include Aischgrunder, Galician, Bohemian or Lausitzer. We can probably rule out Galician (well known as the origin of the carp acquired by the famed Donald Leney in Great Britain) as they were only first bred in 1900.

Aischgrunder carp on the other hand were bred in Bavaria for over 300 years and were notably mirrors characterized by having very few scales and high arched backs. Bohemian carp were characterized as a leather strain, and finally we have Lausitzer that were bred primarily in East Germany and were described as fully scaled and of grey coloration.

There also reports that Capt. Henry Robinson, owner of the Havre Packets brought carp from France in 1832. These he kept in an artificial pond on his property in Newburgh, NY until they escaped into the Hudson River. There is however considerable doubt as to these fish being true carp as the local fishermen only reported catches of goldfish and none weighing over a pound and a half.

Mirror Populations in North America

Paul Hunt with a stunning Fully Scaled Mirror from Dale Hollow Reservoir

As noted earlier, in North America fully scaled ‘common’ carp dominate most carp populations. Even in the early 1890’s a report of some 3,000 carp captured in Lake Erie noted that over 91% were fully scaled commons.

The report also drew inference to the proposal that successive generations would see even more carp return to the ‘primitive scaled condition’.

But, as we know, there are some notable

So could these ‘somewhat hybridized’ speci-

exceptions. New England’s Blackstone River

mens have actually been fully scaled mirrors?

corridor, Idaho’s Blackfoot Reservoir and Dale

We may never know for sure but the possibility

Hollow Reservoir on the Tennessee / Kentucky

is certainly tantalizing!

border being some prime examples.

There could also have been other sources as The predominance, or in some cases exclu-

suggested by an advert from 1888 for Doni-

sive populations, of mirrors in such locations

phan Carp Hatcheries in Kansas. They claimed

suggests these waters were originally stocked

to provide stocks of ‘Pure German Carp’ and

primarily or even exclusively with (ssnn phe-

even the advert depicts a near leather carp.

notype) mirror carp. One suggestion proposed that these fish might be traced back to entrepreneur Julius Poppe from Senoma, California.

In the summer of 1872 he visited Reinfeld in Germany and acquired 83 fish to bring back for his own ponds. Only 5 survived the journey but eventually spawned some 3,000 young.

Reinfeld has a long history of carp culture dating back to the 1100’s and as they were raised to meet the demands of table fare could these have been ‘pure strain’ mirror with the ssnn phenotype?

However the purity of Poppe’s

fish was questioned by Prof Baird in an 1879 Fish Commission report who examined several specimens and declared them as “Scale carp, apparently somewhat hybridized…”

The Kansas Chief from Troy, Kansas February 23, 1888 · North American Carp Angler

35

The location of these US ‘mirror’ waters can

There have been several suggestions but per-

even follow a remarkable pattern that has led a

haps the most likely being the sale & use of

few intrepid anglers to discover some hitherto

carp as live bait by local tackle stores.

undiscovered gems. In many of these ‘mirror’

These live bait fish were mostly small mir-

dominant waters the presence of fully scaled

rors and usually termed ‘Israeli’ carp. It is not

mirrors also suggests there might be a similar

known if these were true Israeli (aka DOR-70)

process of evolution taking place to that seen

carp which are distinctively shaped mirrors and

in Madagascar.

renowned for their ability to resist ‘in-breeding’ depression over successive generations.

There are also some interesting anomalies.

They have also been widely crossbred in Eu-

The CT River below the Holyoke dam in Mas-

rope with other carp strains to produce faster

sachusetts has very few mirrors as a percent-

growing fish. It has also been reported that in

age of the carp population but far higher as you

the early 1980’s the PA Fish Commission ac-

go progressively North above the dam.

tively stocked ‘Israeli’ carp in a number of waters.

Goldfish, Koi and other oddities As noted in the Fishery Commission records

(accidental or otherwise) have led to some in-

goldfish (Carassius auratus) were among many

teresting & unusual hybrid captures by anglers.

of the ‘carp’ species to be distributed across

Sadly there does not seem to be any conclu-

North America in the late 1800’s. One of the

sive evidence of pure crucian carp being found

largest populations is to be found in Westen

here in North America although some goldfish

Lake Eire.

x common carp look very similar and others

According to the USGS the earliest releases

have proposed that many of the goldfish found

of goldfish to US waters probably took place

in North America are primarily derived from a

as early as the late 1600’s. Goldfish popula-

goldfish x crucian carp hybrid.

tions vary significantly and some experts believe that two sub species (Asian goldfish and European goldfish) exist.

Over the past 5 years the Connecticut River has seen a rapid rise in the capture of fantail tail carp. These exotic looking carp are char-

They are also commonly sold as live bait or

acterized by broad, elongated fins, longer than

introduced by pet owners. As goldfish readily

usual barbules and flower like protuberances

hybridize with common carp to produce repro-

from the olfactory orifices.

ductively fertile offspring these early stockings combined with more recent introductions

It is thought probable that these fish derive from common carp that have crossed with butterfly koi that have escaped from ornamental ponds or been released by pet owners. The extra long fins are believed to be down to the failure of a gene that controls growth.

Among the combination of exotics that turn up from time to time we also see ‘ghost’ carp that have unusual ‘shadow’ patterns on the head and scales that gives the appearance of a skeleton or skull.

These hybrid commons or mirrors are the result of breeding with purachina koi and are usually rare as the trait is recessive so soon disappears with further breeding.

I hope this gives you some insight as to the possible heritage and ancestry of the carp here in North America. It has proved to be a fascinating and enjoyable research project over the winter month’s and I hope you enjoy reading it. While there are some remarkable records detailing the numbers of carp imported, bred and then distributed across the USA there is only limited information on the exact nature or source of the actual strains or scale patterns.

As with most detective work my conclusions have been based on connecting a few likely ‘dots’ along the way. I’ve not talked about the likely influence of environmental factors on North American carp populations. There is certainly evidence of carp adapting to different food sources, water conditions as well as other habitat related factors. Perhaps that will be next winter’s project!

North American Carp Angler

37

As a post script I’ve heard one or two folk suggest that there have been introductions of carp from some well known UK sources. In particular the possibility of Simmo’s or Leney strain fish. While some US carp might appear similar in appearance there is no evidence that any of these fish have ever been stocked in North American waters.

Simmo’s

Leneys

Mark Simmonds is the owner of Heather

Donald Leney was a fish farmer who, along

Fisheries in the UK. He sources carp from the Fishers Pond strain supplied by John Paton of Fishers Pond Fishery at various stages of their lives.

The strain is recognized as among the fastest growing available (3-7lb per year) in the U.K As a result they are among the most widely stocked carp in the country’s leading waters.

Contrary to popular belief the fish are not all the same strain or scale pattern but are simply selected for their growth potential.

with his father, worked for the Surrey Trout Farm from 1923. In 1932 he travelled to Holland and acquired mostly Galician strain carp (originally from Galicia in Poland) and brought them back to the UK. These fish he bred and sold to fishing club and lakes, mostly in the South of England including such notable waters as Redmire and Savay. While these fish became known as ‘Leney’s’ they included fish of several different scale patterns including commons, some fully scaled mirrors and of course the famed linears..

North American Carp Angler

CAG Carp Classic 2019

It is 25 years since the first CCC was run in 1994 along the Chicago River Walk in the heart of the city! This year the CCC returns to the Chicagoland area and will be staged on the Des Plaines River in Joliet just 30 miles SW of Chicago.

CCC anglers will be competing for the coveted titles & trophies for the North American Champion (Big 4) and North American Carp King (Big Fish).

There will also be awards and prizes given for First Fish, Total Fish Weight Overall as well as Total Weight in each section.

Schedule: Friday September 27th Fish-In social at Montrose Harbor in Downtown Chicago & Evening Meet & Greet Social (Joliet).

Saturday September 28th CCC Tournament on the Des Plaines River, Joliet and Evening Banquet, Awards & CAG meeting.

Sunday September 29th Cash Tournament hosted by the Mid-State Carpers on Des Plaines River, Joliet For more details and registration follow the link to the CCC 2019 on the CAG Forum page h t t p : / / w w w. c a r p a n g l e r s group.com/forum/index.php?/ forum/405-ccc-2019/

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MIRROR QUEST

By Lynn Newsome

As fall turned to winter, and winter turned to summer, there seemed to be no hope of fishing. The arthritis was flaring, and it crushed me. I had just bought a set of Daiwa 4000BRi Spinning Reels that set on my bookshelf for four months, and the thought of not using them was devastating.

My achy and swollen hands had won, and the price I paid was a hefty one for someone who loves to carp fish. It was a long

summer

with-

out fishing, and I was completely

bummed

watching my friends land amazing fish.

I would lay in bed at night, close my eyes, and pretend to hear my alarms screaming.

It was a rush I missed, I needed, and wondered if I would ever get to have again.

I had hoped this wasn’t forever, so I began to make a list of fish I wanted to catch once I could fish again.

Fortunate for me, God restored my hands, and

I didn’t have a bivvy, so I made the decision

I’ve been able to check fish off the list this year.

to sleep in my car so I could attend the fish-in.

One of the goals on my list was to catch my

With my wife in toll, we got to the park around

first mirror carp. Everyone I encountered talked

midnight Friday.

about mirror carp and the fact no scale pattern

I walked across to the other side of the bank

was the same. It was kind of a rite of passage to

when I got there, to hear that five commons

say you’ve caught a mirror carp, and I wanted to

had already been caught since the group ar-

be a part of that club.

rived a few hours earlier. I hurried to get my poles in the water filled with anticipation. The

My quest began with my new angler friend. He

night was action-less though. The only alarm

got permission for a small group of us to fish a

that went off was my car alarm at 3.am, when I

park overnight that closed at dusk.

didn’t realize my wife locked it with the key fob.

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As morning approached, I rebaited my swim

Another gentleman with us decided he was

with maize, thinking perhaps a little breakfast

going to explore the little lake and went to the

offering would entice the carp to show up.

north of the bridge; we were all fishing south of

I proceeded to pull my lines and refresh my pack bait. I like to use the Gardner Bait Bomb

it, and within 10 minutes he landed a beautiful fully scaled mirror.

tool because it fits nicely around my hook once the bait is molded and compressed, and I don’t

He alerted the rest of the group that they were

have to worry about my hook not being in the

rolling around everywhere on that side, and

center of the bait as it breaks down under wa-

though the weeds were thicker, the action was

ter.

heavy. Our group decided to pack up and move to where he was fishing.

On one rod I was fishing a hair-rig with two pieces of anise corn on the hair on the bottom.

My wife returned and we quickly loaded the

On the other rod, due to being aware the lake

car to drive to the north of the bridge and made

was very weedy, I fished a Mainline Baits Tutti-

the decision to stay on the side of the small

fruity pop-up. It took about an hour before my

lake we were already fishing with the rest of the

first fish of the trip came. I had walked a little

group still across from us.

way down to see if I could find the carp, and on my way back my alarm started screaming!

Once set back up, I proceeded to bait this area, I knew my fishing time was ending. I watched

I took off in a jog to get the rod, and from

as the action for the guys picked up. We had

across the bank a friend yelled to see if I need-

been on this side of the bridge for nearly 2

ed help, my wife had left for food, so he ran up

hours now and I hadn’t a bit yet. I was starting

the bank and over the bridge to net my fish. It

to wonder if I should’ve moved to their side of

was a nice little common carp weighing around

the lake when I had the opportunity but looking

8-10lbs, we decided not to weigh him and re-

at the water it really wasn’t that wide a lake, so

turned him to the water. He was feisty and the

I wasn’t sure it would’ve made a difference.

fish’s well-being always comes first.

Going off a gut instinct I started to bait 3 to 5 After the release of my fish, the action seemed

feet out from the bank instead of the 15 to 20

to become non-existent again. One of the guys

feet I had started with. I decided as a hail Mary

in our group caught a common not long after

I was going to bait heavily in front of me and

mine, and then I watched as they struggled for

move my lines closer. As I waited, I gave my

hours to get anything too.

wife permission for us to start to clean up so we could leave on schedule.

My back was turned to my rods, and I was

The guys across the way jumped to their feet

placing stuff in my luggage bag when the alarm

and one of them ran from his bivvy down and

just went crazy! I turned in excitement to see

back across the bridge to come assist us in

the line peeling off the spool quickly! I picked

landing the fish.

up my rod and felt the weight of the fish on the

The fight was on! This fish wasn’t coming in

other end, and proclaimed to my wife with ex-

anytime soon! He took off on 2-3 good runs

citement, “Good size!”

before I finally got him to the net!

North American Carp Angler

47

As his back came out of the water I started to

With every bucket of water to try and subdue

jump with excitement, yelling across the lake to

him, I was getting a carp bath! And luckily the

the other guys, “I got my first mirror!” Another

moment was caught on camera!

of my angler friends made his way over to us to capture pictures with his camera.

His pattern was so beautiful, and I couldn’t

They all knew this was my first mirror and a

wait to hold able to lift him for a few precious

fish I desperately wanted to catch, so I wasn’t

and memorable pictures to go with the unforg-

the only one celebrating. It felt good to be a

etable moment! My first mirror carp ended up

part of a supportive group of friends

weighing 15lbs. He may not be the biggest, but

.

This being my second year of fishing, there’s still so much I need to learn, and each of them have been instrumental in this moment to me.

The fish was wild, and splashing, and jumping while in the cradle.

there’s something to be said for being the first!

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Baits for Anglers By Anglers

Arizona Fish-In 2019

By Michael Miller

Carp Anglers Group - Arizona had its first Fish-

and the name stuck. Over 70 “demon fish� end-

In in years on Saturday, April 26th, 2019 at a

ed up captured and released during our fish-in,

favorite desert oasis. One of our most passion-

and all anglers got in on the fun!

ate carpers, D.J. Daniels, was able to arrive

We were also very surprised to see thirty-

early enough on Thursday the 25th to reserve

three buffalo on the bank! This is the most

our swims for the busy weekend. Thanks again

Arizona buffalo that i am aware of ever being

D.J.! The rest of the attendees trickled in over

caught in one session, and 6 anglers caught

the next 24 hours or so and by Saturday morn-

their first buffalo ever! A few anglers even got to

ing we had seven adult anglers and one child

check another special box, capturing both big-

getting in on the fun. The stunning desert carp

mouth and smallmouth varieties! Levi Flood

we all love were feeding in our swims and fight-

put another exclamation point on the trip, with

ing even more valiantly than usual! Someone

a beautiful and exceedingly rare wild AZ mirror!

commented that they were fighting like demons

North American Carp Angler

51

Even more important than all the amazing fish we saw, there was a very special feeling of unity and a joy that only comes from sharing a session with such a great group of likeminded carpers! I lost count of the huge smiles as friends new and old shared the experience!

I can’t thank everyone enough for helping to make this event happen, and am impatiently awaiting the next one!

If you haven’t attended a Carp Anglers Group Fish-In you are missing out!

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The Discovery of Carp

By Ryan Munn

North American Carp Angler

61

It all began on June 28th, 2012. I had just completed second grade when my mom dropped

Two years later, Bubba continued to elude me.

me off at my summer camp for the first time. It

I had given up hope, merely casting my line into

seemed perfect for me; I’ve always had a fond-

the shallows and not thinking much of it.

ness for the outdoors and the entire environment was nature-themed. We went on hikes

A much younger fisherman approached me and asked for my help in unhooking a bass.

through the woods, learned about wildlife and

I didn’t have much time to agree before I no-

conservation, and spent a fair amount of time

ticed line flying out of my reel. A battle ensued:

around the little pond in the center of the camp-

the carp severely strained my four pound fluo-

ground.

rocarbon line and my rod tip practically bent to

On one bright New Jersey morning, I spotted

the reel!

some small bait fish swimming in the reeds near the swimming beach. I found out the hard way that a butterfly net was not sufficient to capture these little darters! Frustrated, I noticed some older kids across the lake holding fishing rods, equipped with hooks and bobbers. It piqued my interest, and that night my dad (who does not fish!) took me to walmart to buy my first Zebco spincast rod and reel.

The next day, I caught my first fish! It was only a small bluegill, but my targets quickly grew in size.

There were rumors of a fish in the lake, ‘Bubba’ as she was known, which dwarfed all others in size.

Apparently a giant carp, it had a fondness for chunks of… hot dogs! I was fascinated by the mystery and allure of this giant carp.

I knew I would do anything to catch it.

As quickly as it had started, the fish was in the net. I was hooked.

Crowds gathered around to witness the capture, and the camp legend was true: there was a big carp out there!

As my days at camp came to an end, I tried out several other local ponds in hopes of continuing my success. Unfortunately, the classic method of hot dog fishing only seemed to attract the catfish at these locations! An angler to my left kept landing fish after fish, and he revealed to me his bait of choice: corn!

I began catching again, and grew even more fond of carp fishing in the process. However, fall arrived quickly and my season was put on hold.

A great capture after the discovery of corn!

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I was searching around online for carp fishing tips on a cold winter night, in preparation for the spring. I was astonished by the size of these captures, easily dwarfing the 5-10lb carp I had considered huge previously! I noticed a pattern: these fish were all caught using European style techniques: hair rigs, prebaiting and bite alarms. I was determined to catch a carp in the 30 pound class!

Over the next two years, I saved up as much money as I could. Instead of hosting birthday parties, I asked for carp gear on my birthdays.

My Christmas list was filled with slings, hooks, rods and nets instead of the typical toys most kids enjoy.

My catches grew in size and numbers, but I had not reached that magical 30 pound mark I was dreaming of.

It was obvious the ponds I was fishing did not hold fish of that size. I had to find a water that held such monstrous carp.

It happened by accident. My family had plans to travel into Philadelphia for the day. As we crossed the Ben Franklin Bridge, my dad suggested I look out the window. I was in awe.

A truly massive expanse of water lie outside the car - the mighty Delaware River. At that moment, I knew it was the place I was looking for.

But how, exactly, could I attract carp in such a massive body of water?

The Delaware River‌ an intimidating water for a beginning angler!

I decided to prebait. A LOT. As a gift for my fourteenth birthday, my mom and dad agreed to take me chumming every other day for two whole weeks at a spot I had found along the river. I had been preparing insane quantities of maize and birdseed, kept in dozens of five gallon buckets in the basement. Day after day, I spodded bait into the swim in large amounts.

I finalized my rigs and at last, on my fourteenth birthday, I cast my rigs into the depths.

I was blessed with four fish that day. The first broke my personal best, a 24 pound common!

It was immediately followed by two teen carp, which still were larger than anything I had caught in my previous swims.

Around 3:00, as the tide began to peak, I received the carp I was looking for. My 12’ Sonik rods were certainly an improvement from the toy rod I caught Bubba on, but this fish was so much bigger that playing it felt no different!

Several times it nearly broke off my 30 pound test braid, but not before I could wade in the water to net it!

What a birthday gift! This 35 pound common was exactly the river monster I had hoped for! After five years of hard work, research and scouting locations, I was rewarded with the fish of my dreams. What began with netting minnows in the reeds ended not only with a trophy carp, but a passion for carp fishing that I am infinitely grateful for.

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3rd Annual North American Carp Conference Review by Iain Sorrell

Another busy Spring saw CAG host its 3rd North American Carp Conference at the beginning of April in Middletown, CT.

North American Carp Angler

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Each year the NACC has welcomed some

Steve also highlighted the importance of keep-

of the World’s best known carp anglers to join

ing things simple, especially with rigs and end

the conference on a live video link. This year

tackle & his approaches to catching big fish.

we were honored to be joined by Steve Briggs

Steve also took time to answer some thought-

who gave us an update on his latest adven-

ful questions from the audience.

tures, some insights to his approach to big undiscovered waters.

North American Carp Angler

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NACC 2019 Speakers Dave Pickering “Cold Water Tactics for Carp” Dave’s years of carp fishing experience in and around his home state of Rhode Island have produced some memorable catches. As Winter gives way to Spring the water temps are still in the 40’s. Dave shared his cold water tactics to make the most of these conditions.

Dean Brookes “Theatre of Dreams” On his second visit to Parco del Brenta, Italy’s carp fishing mecca, Dean demonstrated his angling skills against some of the lakes mighty inhabitants. As we found out the results were truly incredible, even by Parco standards. Perhaps more important are the lessons we all learned from his experiences to apply to our own fishing here in the USA.

Iain Sorrell “Short Session Strategies for Big Carp” How do you maximize the opportunities to catch big fish when Family, Work & other

Commitments

limit

the time available?

Iain showed some of the incredible big carp he’s caught since moving to the USA in 1994 and the strategies he uses to maximize success for sessions lasting no more than a handful of hours.

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Joe Arvizzigno “Secrets cessful

of

Pack

Sucand

Using Flavors” A world renowned flavors chemist Joe has years of experience that he’s applied equally

successfully

to his carp fishing.

A huge advocate of Pack n’ Puffs he highlighted some of the secrets he’s learned with

fishing

bread

pack in a live tank demo.

In addition to Fishing Factory 3, World Classic Baits, CarpMart, CarpMax & Record Baits, all returning vendors from previous years, we also welcomed Linear Baits, Carp Bait USA, CT Carp Leads & Orient Rods for the first time.

Our thanks to all our vendors – judging by the activity at all your booths and the feedback we received you all had another very successful NACC!

As always the NACC brings carp anglers together.

North American Carp Angler

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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

• CAG Apparel & Merchandise

• Member Benefits

• New Member Tackle Pack

• Quartely NACA Magazine*

• Fish-Ins, Events & Competitions

*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 North American Carp Angler The Carp Anglers Group is a non-profit organisation

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