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CARP FISHIN' the USANarda and Frank Walters' ambitious quest - Catch a carp in all 50 States and the District of Columbia |
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CARP FISHIN' the USANarda and Frank Walters' ambitious quest - Catch a carp in all 50 States and the District of Columbia |
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 Frank and Narda Walters  "Our Mission? Catch a Carp in 50 States; Only 1 to Go.."
The Walters' ambitious/improbable fishin' mission had its actual beginning in September of 1960 with Frank's catch of six carp in some now forgotten cove of Lake Mead in southern Nevada. Frank was not aware of it at that momentous point in his life, but that stringer of six "NEVADA CARP" marked the inception of the quest to catch a carp in all 50 States. Nevada became the 1st State to be entered on the carp - caught - in -list. Narda's first "State Carp" was brought to the net in 1981, and the 15 pound plus lunker earned for her a Nevada Trophy Fish Award and a Fenwick Master Angler award.
The catching of the "New Mexico Carp" was done specifically to add another State to Frank's list of States in which he had caught a carp, and can be considered to be the official onset of "CARP FISHIN" the USA" as a viable fishin'mission.
The State of Alabama marked the Walters' first encounter of a hookin' kind with the species known as Grass Carp. Fishing in Ketona Lake, Narda managed to entice a grass carp to the hook which weighed-in at 13lbs - 7 ozs. Frank managed to net his first grasser weighing 12 lbs..
December of 1997 brought a complete halt to the fishin' mission. Frank's adult son was critically injured in a vehicular accident and required Frank and Narda's undivided care and attention in order to return him from complete paralysis to a nearly fully functional fisherman. August of 2000 brought a resumption of "CARP FISHIN' the USA" with their traveling to Bob Bernowski's Buckeye Lake. Outstanding carpin' resulted in their adding the "Ohio Carp" as the 22nd State on their carp-caught-in-list.
The water where the "Vermont Carp" were caught is not included. It is not an oversight, this water is a truly special place to both Frank and Narda and will remain their secret. Your "fishin' mission", should you choose to accept It, IS to locate this quaint and charming; body of water.
The year 2001 proved to be outstanding in the course of the Walters' quest. Eleven States and the District of Columbia were added to their carp-caught-in-list. This carp filled year of fishin' and traveling brought their total of "Carp States" to 37. Their fishin' mission was actually taking on the appearance of being "doable".
The "Florida Carp" was a Grass Carp that was caught after an entire day of stalking these extremely wary denizens of the water hazards on a golf course. The Walters were escorted/guided/chauffeured around to the various ponds on the course by a CAG member from Florida. The grassers did not drop their guard until the sun had set and darkness settled upon the water. The grasser then eagerly slurped down a floating pineapple flavored boilie.
The enticing to the hook of the "Louisiana Carp" brought the Walters' seemingly improbable fishin' mission to within one State of completion. Only the "Alaska Carp" remains uncaught. It is rumored that there are "NO CARP IN ALASKA". The Walters will journey to Alaska in late August, 2003. They vow to net and photograph whichever species comes closest to qualifying as the" ALASKA CARP". The Walters were graciously assisted and often guided by many Carp Anglers Group members without whose assistance the "fishin' mission" would be much further from completion. This gracious and readily extended assistance, stories in and of themselves, caused their quest to become more about the meeting, fishing, and sharing of their adventure with the people and CAG members of the various States. Without their guidance and readily shared knowledge of local fishing conditions, the Walters could not have accomplished this prodigious adventure. The Walters offer a deeply sincere THANK YOU to all who shared in their quest. Naming names could result in inadvertently overlooking someone, an inexcusable error. You know who you are, and your contribution is deeply appreciated. Individual tales or a book will one day properly document the Walters experiences along this fascinating trail of carpin' adventures. The individuals who aided us along the way shall receive full and proper acknowledgement at that point in time. In conclusion, the Walters encourage one and all to fit into your busy lives and schedules as much of your own carpin' time in the pursuit of your own individual "fishin' mission". |
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