http://www.wintercarpleague.com

Farewell to Milwaukee for 2010-11

Twenty anglers fishing monthly in weekly, rotating five man groups from November 2010 through April 2011 have completed the Midwest Winter Carp League. It was an enjoyable six months at Milwaukee, but the winter weather and changing water conditions definitely tested our gear, our stamina, our baits, and our patience.
The city was a surly and uncooperative host at Group D's "Farewell to Milwaukee" get-together on April 17. A full moon, spring weather, 50 degree water, and high hopes had all of us optimistic as we drew pegs for this final session of the 2010-11 league. Frank R. drew peg #1, Ernest K. picked #2, Luke B. grabbed #3, and Henry B. chose peg #5.
As all of us have quickly learned, the venue can be a fickle fox, and Group D could not coax the Menomenee River to give up many carp on this particular day. High winds and a high sky may have contributed to our woes. The water was also dirtier than usual, due, probably, to rain, snow, and heavy winds from days prior. Frank managed to capture a 9-12 fairly early in the day and an 11-4 at 1:30, but that was the extent of Group D's carp catching success.
Despite the results on this particular day, the Milwaukee venue was outstanding this year, yielding 438 fish weighing over 5,600 pounds. Keep in mind, also, that all recordable carp had to weigh at least eight pounds!
Some huge carp were caught. In the big fish race, Frank Rink captured a 34-12 (pictured left) in late November to lead the way, followed closely by Tracy Jourdan (29-8), Ed Montgomery (28-10), Larry Hemmens (28-4), and Adam Holodok (28-1).
In the final league standings, Frank Rink was first with 27 points. Tom Falaszewski was second (23 points, 13.56 average weight), and Adam Holodok was third (23 points, 13.52 average weight). Ed Montgomery (4th), Dan Ramir (5th), and Andy Burnagiel (6th) finished next in line with 22 points each. Marcin Szydlowski (21 points), Mike Olinger (20), Lukasz Bober (19), and Istvan Gyori (17) rounded out the top ten or top half in the final standings.
As the 2010-11 league began, participants could potentially earn a perfect score of 30 points. In each of the six sessions, anglers received five points for a first place finish of high total weight, four for second, three for third, two for fourth, and one for fifth. If an angler blanked, he still received one point for attendance. A no-show received no points. Ties in league final points were broken by an angler's average weight of captured carp.
Huge thanks and kudos to Ernest Kolodziejczyk and Magdalena Ludwinska for hosting and organizing an outstanding league that gets better each year. Special thanks to the generous sponsors for their terrific prizes and support of the league. Congratulations, also, to all the participants for their commitment to winter fishing. The awards ceremony will be held April 30 or May 1 depending on weather conditions.
Due to the fact that luck of the peg draw had an impact on session outcomes, I'd like to see some kind of peg rotation established in the future. Better yet, let the angler lowest in the standings have his choice of pegs with the next lowest scoring angler choosing second, and so on. I sincerely hope the league continues, and I look forward to seeing many once again braving the weather and the conditions at Winter Carp League 2011-12.


Frank Rink