FJR1

Huge congratulations to Dale Anderson who was named 2013 Dixon Family Carp Derby Champion at the awards ceremony on Sunday, August 25. Dale's 17 pound, 1 ounce carp is the heaviest carp captured in the four-year history of the tournament. The photo clearly shows that the fish is the prototypical river carp with huge tail and fins and a long, narrow body for negotiating the Rock River currents. Well done, Dale!

Sorry to hear that Larry Siemens won't be stewarding anymore, but maybe Larry Seeman will continue.

Larry-- Many of us know that you do this out of dedication to the sport and in memory of Jeremy, and we are aware of the time, effort, resources, and sleepless nights you put into this. Thank you. You made the needed improvements after the first year, and from what I have personally witnessed and heard, the Dixon Carp Derby has been well organized and well run for the past three years with increased attendance, increased prizes, and increased enthusiasm. Well done! Two years ago, I stewarded on Saturday, and last year I was out of the state and unable to participate; but I had the pleasure of the full, two-day fishing experience this year. I was impressed with the wide range of venue options, with the friendliness of the local anglers, and with the overall organization of the tournament. Good job. I hope it continues. I think banning CAG members over a rather isolated incident involving only two anglers is an over-reaction; but you are in charge, so it’s your call. I don’t think there is such a thing as a “pro” carp angler. Having a pod and a little experience in competitions doesn’t make one a pro. Labeling and banning certain anglers as professional, therefore, becomes a subjective undertaking open to subjective scrutiny. In regard to Grahame’s concern, a simple rule change that indicates “an angler fishing at a location on Saturday has first choice of fishing at the same location on Sunday if he is at the location by 7:00 a.m.” may relieve some of the angst and hard feelings. Stewards could easily note locations on Saturday in preparation for any possible disputes on Sunday. As suggested, a pic or two will follow as soon as I receive them. Take care.--Frank

In your attempt to make a point, your logic is a bit flawed, Grahame. If the Dixon Derby rules had to cover everything that is allowed, the document would be too heavy to carry. For example, I brought a snack and some water with me, but "I cannot find anything in Larry Kirchner's rules which allows that." I set up a pod and a rod at 5:15 a.m. and left them for 10 minutes while I registered at the designated 6:00 a.m. time. Many others did the same thing. If the pod had been stolen during the ten minutes that I was gone, I was willing to accept the consequences. Taking sides is also not the issue. The issue is whether or not an angler has "dibs" on the same spot two days in a row. The answer is clearly "no." Carping etiquette may be a different matter altogether, but it's clear that location at Dixon is based on a first-come, first-served format. I respect and acknowledge anybody's choice to forego "any future events where they cannot enjoy the company" or a decision to "never steward again because events are cut-throat." As for me, carp fishing is a nice diversion in usually pleasant settings. I had a nice time in Dixon with some nice fishing and some nice people. I plan to return despite the fact that the contest, as with all competitive events, might include a glitch or hiccup here and there. Take care.--Frank

Grahame--As much as I respect your angling acumen, enjoy your company, and appreciate your past attendance at some of our Joliet events, I disagree with your sentiments about having a claim on a fishing position at Dixon simply because you were there the previous day. Larry Kirchner’s Dixon Carp Derby rules are clear that this is an open competition that allows anglers, each day, to select fishing locations on a first-come first, served basis as long as there is no camping overnight to secure the spot. You were at the location at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, and the spot would have been yours had you arrived at the same time on Sunday. I had the good fortune to be able to fish at the same location both days. However, if somebody had been set up at my Saturday location on Sunday, I would have moved on, perhaps a little disappointed, but understanding of the fact that they got there before I did. I saw many acts at this event that demonstrated chivalry and love of fishing including . . . 1. The “accused” putting life and limb at risk to help a boater who had lost control. 2. Stewards offering help, guidance, and rig tips to anglers throughout the competition. 3. Anglers pulling their own lines from the water, and giving their bait and tackle to kids who had not caught a fish previously. I think it harsh and unfair that you label the Dixon Carp Derby as one of the competition events which condone actions by persons who have more interest in monetary gain than the actual love of fishing. This is an event that Mr. Kirchner transformed from a kill-and-dump carp massacre to a catch-and release, family friendly, carp-friendly contest. I hope to fish it again and hope to see you there. Take care.--Frank

Big congrats to Dale Anderson for catching the biggest carp in the four year history of the event at 17-1 and for winning the $500 purse for first place. Great work, Dale! Congrats, also, to Cory Bohmann, Jr. for taking the boys' event ($50 and bait prizes) for the second year in a row. Way to go, Boo! A pat on the back to the top 20 anglers and to the top five boys and top five girls who took home some $ and prizes. Thanks to organizer Larry Kirchner for making this an enjoyable, carp-friendly contest, to the town of Dixon and its sponsoring organizations, and to the individuals and sponsors who donated their time, resources, and door-prize items. Special thanks to stewards Lee Young, Zach Testa, Larry Seeman, Larry Hemmens, and Edward G. for their fine work and to Lee for his suggestions and help to many anglers (including myself) throughout the contest. It was a fun event. I certainly hope Cory heals quickly from his injuries sustained while coming to the aid of another. Nice work, Cory! --Frank Rink

CAG members did quite well during the first day of Larry Kirchner's Dixon Family Carp Derby. CAG member Dale Anderson made the 280+ mile trip from central Indiana and also made a trip to the top of today's leaderboard with a wonderful 17-1. This is a big fish event, so it will be very difficult to catch Dale during tomorrow's final, 6-hour session. Dixon resident and CAG member Dave Marceau is currently in 2nd place with a nice double-digit 10-3, and CAG member Grahame Johnston is close behind in third with a double-digit 10-0. Several other CAG members are currently in the top 20. In addition, I believe that Cory Bohmann, Jr. currently leads the boys' division with an 8-10. Cory is getting close to repeating his boys' championship from 2012. Well done, CAG members. Keep it up. Good luck tomorrow!

Don't forget Mr. Kirchner's holding-a-honeyhole rule: "No one may camp out to hold a spot overnight." I guess that means you can't sleep after 2:00 a.m. Good luck. I'd like to see Boo repeat as boys' champion.

Two Walmarts in my area have had their inventory of mesh laundry bags depleted, and the 14 "keep sacks" will be making their way to the carp-friendly Dixon Family Carp Derby this weekend. Looking forward to fishing the event and possibly catching a carp or two. The weather will be a little warmer than originally forecast, but it should still be fairly pleasant. Good luck to all! Click here for Derby rules and details. Hope to see you there.

Dixon, Illinois, the boyhood home of President Ronald Reagan and the current home of Larry Kirchner's Family Carp Derby, is calling for a forecast high of 82° on Saturday, August 24 and 85° on Sunday, August 25. Nice weather. Could be a haulfest, boys!

Thanks for the information, Larry.

So, is the river full of honey holes? My only experience with this venue is designing the contest brochure and blanking on a north bank near a bridge for half a day two years ago after spending the first day patrolling/stewarding. Is that stretch by the dam any good for anything over 5 pounds? How soon do you need to get there to stake a claim on a prime location? Can you leave your gear at a location while registering at the park? Thanks!

You're right, Larry. I fished it twice and blanked both times, so maybe the third time will be the charm (or I'll negotiate with your Dixon boys for purchase of one of those pre-caught monsters. I recall reading somewhere that Dixon has had a history of secret transactions here and there ). I also served as steward before, so it's time for others to take their turn. However, I will make a run on Walmart or Meijer and donate a sackful of keep sacks/laundry bags. Good luck with the Dixon event! I look forward to an enjoyable contest.

I hope they're not sacking those fish for a week. Seriously, though, the weather and water conditions look promising. It should be fun!

Looking forward to it. Best of luck to all participants!

It may be a matter of inventory availability. I made an order a little over an hour ago, and the Paypal process went just fine. In fact, I already received my tracking number. Nice work, Dennis and Resistance Tackle!

Good luck. Have a great life.

Hats off and huge thanks to Mihai Aciu at K-1 Baits, Simon Stewart at Carp Kit International, and Camping Survival for their quick and courteous distribution of prizes I had the good fortune to win at the recently concluded TOKS Big 4 International Winter 2012-13 competition. Thanks, also, to Ken Keene at TOKS for putting all this together. The generosity of K-1, Carp Kit, Camping Survival and Mr. Keene is much appreciated .--Dr. Frank Rink

Sent 3/5/13 at 3:23 p.m. CST

You be careful, Larry. You may be on the verge of getting your knuckles rapped.

What business would really be willing to come forward and admit that your credit card security was at risk at some point in time while you were making a transaction with them? It would probably mean the beginning of the end for that entity. I also agree with Grahame that the source of all this may be completely unaware that they were hacked and compromised. Trying to find the source, as logical as that may be, will, in my opinion, yield fruitless results. I would hope that those of us who were victimized will learn from the experience and do what we can to further protect ourselves.

"Perhaps they do not believe in catch and release?" --

I checked with a Mac technician. Although it's a possibility, he says it is unlikely on a Mac/Apple. I think you've narrowed the problem down to one vendor. I hope they are aware and are taking appropriate action.