CAG Discovery Month: October 2007

By Pat Kerwin and Scott Osmond

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North American Carp Angler

Introduction
Have you ever gazed at a map, saw all the waters you've never fished, and wondered what lies beneath? A new Big Fish venue? A place to bring your kids? Maybe a water full of mirrors or koi? The reality is that most of us get comfortable fishing one or two waters, which we have become intimate with over the years. Might be out of ease, might be due to big fish... But how do you know that blue smudge on the map isn't a much better water than yours?

Each section of the country has many, many waters with good populations of carp. Most of these waters simply go unfished, due to the majority of anglers being satisfied with one or two waters. Remember this, each new water fished, from blanks to hauls, teaches you more about carp than you could ever read in any magazine!

This event, the CAG Discovery Month, will honor those who take the challenge of discovery. The basis of determining "winners" will be more for their adventures, and post event write up, than what they catch. Where and how they fish, in regards to true exploration, is much more important than success. What you learn during this event is the real prize!

So, plan, and prepare, study maps.... Don't be afraid to daydream about new waters, and what lies beneath the surface! Take lots of pictures, write a story, and enjoy your sessions!

How to participate
To participate simply follow the rules given below. The CAG Discovery Month is entirely free for participants.
Contacts: Patrick Kerwin 202-528-0979 and Scott Osmond

Rules
1. The CAG Discovery Month is a month long event which takes place in October. Participants can fish as much or as little as they want over the course of the month. Anglers can fish more than one swim.

2. Locate one or several swims that to the best of your knowledge a CAG member has not caught a carp from within the last three years. Anglers are encouraged to fish as far away as possible from known swims. At the very minimum, participants should at least not be able to see a known swim from the spot they are fishing from.

3. Document your adventure with photographs and a good story. Jerome Moisand winning story can be found on the CAG Forum here.

4. You can fish the way you want, using as many rods as locally allowed, using whatever fancy gear, pre-bait, boats, baitboats, whatever you like, but please catch carp with a single hook and practice catch & release.

5. Although this event is centered on Cyprinus Carpio, feel free to document incidental captures.

6. Carp anglers from any country, any age, and any gender are most welcome. The more participation, the better! Non-CAG members (guests) are welcome to fish with CAG members during the weekend however they will not be eligible for prizes.

7. This event is run on the honor system. Anglers do not have to disclose venues if they do not feel comfortable doing so. Please no cheating, you'll only be cheating yourself.

Prizes
In order to qualify for the prize you must write up a story and document your story with photographs. The main prize will be awarded based on a picture and story vote that will take place in the Members Only portion of the CAG Forum. All members will have an opportunity to vote. Entries will be judged based on originality, quality of story, and quality of pictures. The intent of the event is to encourage discovery, undoubtedly the more adventurous the angler and story the better the chance that you will win. The winner will have his story and pictures published in the NACA. Other prizes will (may) follow.

Submissions
Please take high definition digital pictures (at least 1280*960) and send pictures and stories to Patrick Kerwin

Deadline for submissions is November 19th, 2007.
If you do not have Internet access you can still participate by sending a hard copy of your story and pictures via postal mail to:
Patrick Kerwin
5850 Cameron Run Terrace, Apt. 1124,
Alexandria, VA 22303