Carp-O-Rama® 2014 Sunday June 29th 9 am

[Nick Pionessa]

Here are the details on the competition-

Everyone is welcome!

designated as flyfishing only with flies and only the waters wadeable from Grand Island are fishable. bass is open as well but the 5 lb smallies just want you to lose the Grand Island NY CARP-O-RAMA 2013® so don't be distracted. the only award is for longest carp. if you ain't first, you lost. once a Carp is landed the participant must cut a piece of tippet material the length of the fish. know for certain we are watching for accuracy. the latest news on the NSA should be enough to convince you. each participant can then turn in one piece of tippet as their entry. This year this method will be the only one acceptable to win. Everyone has tippet material on them and if you want to win, do it properly. None of this, "well it went from near the lower part of the reel seat to close to this guide crap". cut a piece of tippet or the fish does not count.

RECOMMENDED GEAR- 7-9 wt rods floating line and at least one spare leader. 8-12lb tippet. polarized glasses. small crayfish flies, hex type nymphs, clouser swimming nymphs, damsel/dragon nymphs, merkins and wooley buggers are all good choices for flies. the water will be chilly still so waders are highly recommended for wading and tick protection for the state parks (Tick Island) areas. this is a serious note- there are LOTS of ticks on GI and participants should be aware and inspect themselves afterward(or use it as an excuse to have a "friend" help). sun screen wouldn't hurt either and bring a good supply of water.

we will meet at 9 am at the Fix Rd overlook (West River Parkway) on GI and be fishing by 10. this year i'm also requiring that participants be registered at the morning meeting. if you cannot make the meeting and still wish to participate then you may pre-register by sending me a PM here. no showing up late and winning, Ryan.

Special thanks to our past Hosts Kelly and Will. Kelly, Thank you so much for making sure the Trophy got back to us. Best of luck with your move and keep in touch.

[joemecca]

I figured I better throw a couple pics up on the board of the winning carp.

40 year old Fenwick still has some fight left in it


Unweighted brown bugger aka "Starvin Marvin" per The Jesus


I would have been smiling if I wasn't hanging on to the tippet with my mouth. clearly I'm super photogenic


release shot showcasing Ryan's superior photography skills


Thanks for the OOFS for putting on the Carp-O-Rama. The free food at Steve's dad's house was way cool too.

Special thanks goes out to Ryan W for putting me on the fish. He only required a Powerade and Wegmans chocolate chip cookie for his guiding services. He really has shown his character in the past few months by letting me borrow his waders, his Kabuto rod, and teaching me about fishing for capr on the fly. Honorable mention goes out to him for catching an even more prized and elusive game fish

[ANDYCAMPING]

Great job Joe and congrats again. As always special thanks for OOFS, Nick, Steve (& Parents) and Sussie for all the good grub, hospitality and putting up with us misfit fly fishers.

[SteveKowalski]

The Major Award and a purple nurple


But I think Chris's glass was cooler


Your guide called me from the water to say you were on the board and although he named you with many expletives and derogatory ethnic slander as well as a not very kind comment on your height vs. width stature, I could make out a touch of pride in your accomplishment. Even though he said you were just lucky
Good Job Joe!

I'll let Chris put up his story of the only other carp, which I was proud to put him on, in the "private water"

AND YES, my parents said we can come back next year.
They're accustomed to Timmy already, but you assholes shouldn't egg him on, please, Ryan...

[Nick Pionessa]

Congratulations Joe! the collective weight of the WNY Carpin world is now on your shoulders. we don't want any scandals to disgrace the title and we know we can count on you to uphold the prestige of the past winners.

thanks to the Kowalski's for the kick ass hospitality and for the extra work Steve had to put in with the setup. thanks to everyone who attended and especially Chris and Joe for actually catching one of the elusive beasts. nice to have at least a little competition.

you guys paying off Coach to give me bad info was just the touch i wouldn't have expected. now i know better. everyman is an island as concerns Carp-O-Rama!

[christopher lee]

Just as Steve said... he was kind enough to put me on a fish on 'the private water.'

The fish was kind of a surprise, since I had never previously managed to hook, let alone land a carp, I didn't actually expect to catch anything.  I hadn't even really gotten into 'fishing mode' yet. I was just scoping out the water from the bank, which was about 4' up from the water. I saw what was pretty clearly a feeding carp, figured, 'what the heck,' dropped the cheezy poof a bit in front of him, and lifted up when he got to the fly. I felt the weight, and he felt the hook, at about the same time. He took off like a bat outta hell.



When he was about to round a piling and break me off, I handed the rod to Emmanuel (probably invalidating my chance for a win even if Joe hadn't landed his), and jumped in the water. The carp put a nice bend into the 6'6 fiberglass rod.



With a combination of luck and Steve's sure guidance, I managed to bring him to hand.



Thanks to Steve for the guidance, the access to 'private water,' and the fine party afterwards! (and the photos).

[joemecca]

thanks guys. I'll try not to have any nip slips, wardrobe malfunctions or run ins with transgender Filipino hookers on my national press tour.

[Nick Pionessa]

that's it, remember you're representing us all now.