Tournament Trail Tales: The 2009 WI Carp Championship
Hi Folks, welcome back to my Blog. It's been a while since I last wrote; have I been busy this spring and summer! The tournament trail has been mostly kind to me so far this year, as both a competitor and organizer, so I thought I'd bring you up to date with what's been going on.
Of the tournaments I've been involved in, by far the most important (in my view, but I'm probably biased!) this year was the 2009 WI Carp Championship. The Anglers and Stewards had a great time, with friendly competition, big fish caught and lots of interest from the spectators. For all the details on every angler, don't forget that the WI CC Website is still up and running; expect to see new details on the 2010 WI CC on this site soon!
For me, the WI CC is all about individual memories, moments that flash into focus during the "organized chaos" that is what the WI Carp Championship seems to be all about... it doesn't matter how much I try to keep everything organized, there are always a few "interesting happenings" both before, during, and after the Tournament Weekend. Here are a few of my WI CC memories.
First, of course, was the look on Josef's face when he realized just how far ahead of the rest of the anglers he was, at the end of Day 1. A little bit of pride, and lots of relief, that all the hard work had payed off, and I'm sure a realization that he'd been lucky enough to draw a peg in the best section on Day 1. It was good to see some other great anglers put a little pressure on that lead over Day 2, but Josef stuck to his task and pulled a solid result out of a so-so peg, to pick up his second successive WI Carp Champion Trophy; well done Josef!
From one angler who had done very well indeed, I was also struck by how well another good angler, Tom Brooks, never gave up on Day 1. I'd stopped by Tom's peg with about 15 minutes to go, to see how the guy was taking the very weird happenings in Section B on Day 1; we'd seen a lot of fish rolling through most of the day, but the strong wind combined with all those baits and lines had seemed to make those carpies skittish as a basement full of kittens. I was impressed that Tom was still fishing, and was happy to see a smallish fish roll right over one of his baits with less than 10 minutes to go; I think I uttered the words, "don't worry Tom, you'll catch before the end". Just sometimes the Carp take pity on me for my stupidity, or maybe they thought Tom deserved it, but it happened; with less than a minute on the clock Tom's buzzer sounded and he landed his first and only Carp of the day. It was also great to see Tom turn around his bad luck on Day 1, and put plenty of good fish on the scales on Day 2. Well done Tom, and congratulations on that 27 pounder; that was a good 'un!
Some of my other Day 1 memories are of the Stewards; and the different "challenges" each section gave them. Watching Eric organize the "Drive to the River" was a treat; it reminded me of my history lessons about General Patton's "Drive to the Rhine"! Eric, that was some organization you put together in Section D! Then there was Tom's unique "relationship" with the Eagles Club Bar Staff; I was surprised to find a shot waiting at the end of the bar for him, every time I visited the Club at Section C. I wasn't too surprised to hear that Tom had "got the hang of Section C" on Day 1, and thought it best if he was assigned there again for Day 2!
Lastly, and my best memories, are of the people of Two Rivers. I've always enjoyed chatting with the folks whenever I visited, but this time was something special. I really felt that the WI CC was welcome, and that the people were happy to see us, doing something different on the local fishing scene, and hopefully, putting Carptown on the US Carp Fishing Map.
One thing is for certain. Larry Kirchner interviewed many of the anglers after the event, and they all echoed what I felt; it was a fun event because of the people of Carptown, as well as the fish. Thanks Two Rivers, for your support of the WI Carp Championships. We'll be back in 2010!
