TEN SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ILLINOIS CARP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Whether or not it is solicited and having had the chance to reflect on the recent tournament, I offer my suggestions for future Fighting Roughfish Illinois Carp Championships. Just my 2¢. I look forward to seeing other suggestions.—Frank
I think Lee Young has it right, and I would, therefore, suggest a format that emulates the Wisconsin Carp Championships:
1. Change the format to two ten hour days during daylight hours. Beginning and ending times would be subject to the organizer, but 8 to 6 on the first day and 6 to 4 on the second day might work well.
2. I would prefer an individual event, but, cognizant of the limited bank space, I see why a team event was scheduled.
3. Increase the entry fee to make the tournament more enticing.
4. Schedule a new peg draw at the beginning of the 2nd day to eliminate some of the peg advantages (note that most of the winners this year were at or near an end peg).
5. The overnight session was fine, but I saw inconsistencies in work ethic. Some worked hard all night, some slept through it, and some partied. I have no problem with any of those activities, but I think two ten-hour days would result in a more consistent outcome (and more fish caught).
6. Ask the city fathers to allow the park to be used for camping overnight for those who wish to stay at Lowell Park and save a few bucks.
7. With potential for greater use of hotels, bars, and restaurants in the evening hours due to the daytime sessions, ask the city fathers for more “seed-money” to either increase the pot or to better cover the organizer’s costs.
8. Despite the small fish and relatively low numbers this year, Lowell Park is a beautiful venue. If Lowell Park remains as the venue, increase the distance between pegs.
9. With two ten hour days, the family event would be over on Sunday earlier than the “pro” event . The awards ceremony for the CAG anglers could be held at Lowell Park and in closer proximity, time-wise and location-wise, to the actual fishing.
10. Make sure any literature, entry forms, and rules are free of typographical errors, misspellings, and grammatical miscues. Carp anglers already have enough negative public perceptions to overcome.
This is not intended to detract from or criticize a wonderful first time event (kudos to Larry K.), but rather to make suggestions for improvement should there be an interest in continuing the Illinois Carp Championships. Good luck.