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Catch & Release Carp Fishing - what's it all about?
While Carp are the most popular sport fish all over the rest of the world, catch & release carp fishing is a relative newcomer to the US. Through most of the twentieth century in most states anglers concentrated more on fish harvesting for eating, rather than choosing to pursue fish for their fighting qualities. Indeed the Carp was introduced by the US Government in the 1880's, as the most suitable replacement for the native fish stocks; we were already steadily eating our way through our stocks of Panfish, Bass and Walleye even in those days!
Over the last Century, there has been some "bad press" regarding carp in some states; some of this is undeserved, but Carp make a convenient (and silent!) scapegoat. While stunted carp can overpopulate and be a problem in mud-bottom lakes and rivers, in most cases the carp were present in large quantities because the native species were under threat. These threats to native fish stocks are generally due to pollution, excess silt run-off (caused by clear-cutting forests) and excessive fertilizer run-off; all factors that make it harder for Walleyes, Panfish and Bass to maintain their populations. As Carp are omnivorous feeders and can generally survive in much poorer water quality environments than native American fish stocks, they have tended to become the dominant species in those lakes and rivers suffering from poor water quality from the above sources.
However, it's not all bad news; as large Carp tend to eat a lot of their own spawn, and in many rivers and lakes in WI the Carp spawn and fry are a major forage fish for the Smallmouth and Walleye populations, too. Indeed, there are several rivers and lakes where improving water quality has resulted in much improved size and numbers of Smallmouth and Walleyes, and their increased predation has had a positive effect on the size of the Carp, resulting in smaller numbers of fish but larger individuals. The great thing about Large Carp is that they don't lose their power as they get bigger, and a thirty pound fish is, pound for pound, the hardest fighting fish in WI waters.
Around the US, many anglers have taken up catch and release fishing for large Carp as a purely sporting fish; these fish tend to be difficult to trick into biting the anglers bait, and give a real adrenaline rush as they fight hard and long to escape! In WI, we now have several top Bass, Musky and Walleye anglers who turn their attention to Big Carp when the weather warms through the summer and their favorite species won't come out to play. As a natural progression of this interest, the last twenty years has seen a growing tournament circuit for Carp fishing, with major prize money on offer, and sponsorships from tackle manufacturers increasing every year. This is an exciting time for Carp fishing in the US.
The Official History of the Wisconsin Carp Championships
In December 2006, a couple of WI anglers sat down around a kitchen table, over an appetizing fish-fry of Bluegill and Crappie. The conversation turned to fishing for Carp, as both anglers had experienced the wonderful Carp fishing WI has to offer. One of the anglers (Lee) has a strange accent, mainly because he's started life "across the pond"; he's been lucky enough to have spent 30+ years catching lots of different big fish all over the world. He moved to WI in 2000, as the variety of species and fishing techniques here make this state a paradise for an angler who wants to catch big fish every day he hits the water. The other angler (Tony) has spent many years specializing in catching Walleye during the spring and fall, and having fun with all types of big WI fish at other times of the year.
In a long moment of mental weakness, Lee suggested that they try to combine the fun and skill of catching Big Carp, with something for people to actually see, as it happens; too many fishing tournaments take place out in the middle of a lake or river, where not even the camera crew in the next boat can really capture all the action. This would be Tournament-oriented catch, weigh, photograph & release Carp Fishing, from the banks of a public park, and therefore where spectators could easily see everything that happens. Tony agreed, this would provide a format where the "Carp Stars" couldn't run or hide; every cast, every strike, every fish lost and every fish caught would take place right under the noses of crowds of enthusiastic spectators; the idea behind the WI Carp Championships was born!
The 2007 WI Carp Championship was a stunning success. Jefferson Park in Menasha was an ideal venue for a small but select group of expert Carp Anglers, and the spectators couldn't get enough of the action. Comments like "never seen so many big fish caught", and "this is the most amazing fishing I've ever seen" were common; over a thousand people witnessed how these big fish fight. Other comments were not expected, but extremely welcome; the spectators were impressed on how carefully the fish were handled, weighed and released. Catch and release fishing means taking extra-special care of your fish, so that it can be safely released to grow bigger and provide an exciting challenge to the next angler; it seems that Carp Anglers are leading these techniques, with fish-friendly hooks, nets, unhooking mats and equipment.
2008 saw more of the same, with WLUK FOX11 spending many hours at Jefferson Park; one presenter even caught a 20lb fish for the camera! Lots of spectators came to be wowed by the action again, none left disappointed. We even had individual angler fan clubs from last year; all ready to cheer their favorite stars on to victory! Two important elements emerged from the 2008 Championship; first, the Jefferson Park venue was no longer big enough for the number of anglers (US and now Internationals!) who wanted to fish. Second, the WI Carp Championship was becoming a revenue-generating event for local business and the community. Anglers were practicing for up to one month or more before the event, which gave a definite boost to income for food and lodging businesses.
So, the WI Carp Championship Organizers changed their focus for 2009, and changed the event location. The 2009 Championship was held in Two Rivers, and received wonderful support from the City and People of Two Rivers. The 2009 WI CC also generated a lot of media interest, with WLUK FOX11 again running their Good Day Wisconsin Location Shoot on the East Twin River on the Friday before the competition; Paul Sander and Andy Burnagiel were the Carp Stars, courtesy of location and coffee kindly provided by the Eagles Club of Two Rivers. The Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter also ran articles on the 2009 WI CC throughout the weekend, and the event was followed by newspapers in Green Bay and Milwaukee.
Following on from a very successful 2009 Tournament, Two Rivers will again host the WI CC in 2010. There is lots of bank room for many more anglers, plenty of parking will be available for the spectators, and we are working with local charities to establish spectator refreshments and other fun events for families over the June 5-6 weekend. As the WI Carp Championship Organizing Group is itself a not-for-profit entity, our focus will be on helping Two Rivers and WI State develop the revenue-generating opportunities that Catch & Release Carp Fishing is starting to bring to the mid-West. The future of Catch & Release Carp Fishing in WI is bright; this will become a multi-million dollar opportunity for Cities like Two Rivers over the next few years.
Interested in Carp Fishing becoming a revenue-earning opportunity for your Business or City? Contact Lee Young at lee_s_young@yahoo.com for more information.
Here's also a link to the NEWfishing Blogsite; your place for more information on Carp Fishing in WI. |