SIGN UP - Paul Wells Memorial - Thanksgiving Big 4 Tournament - 11/25/17 - Joliet, IL

[FJR1]

"Paul Wells Memorial Thanksgiving Carp Tournament"
Saturday, November 25, 2017 
Bicentennial Park - Joliet, IL

In memory and in honor of Paul Wells who was our first Thanksgiving Tournament winner in 2007 and a winner again in 2010, our annual Thanksgiving weekend contest is now called the "Paul Wells Memorial Thanksgiving Carp Tournament"!  This November 25, 2017 tournament will be the fifth year the event is named in honor of Paul, who passed away in September 2013.  This is also the 11th consecutive year the Thanksgiving weekend event has taken place (started by Sam Snow in 2007 and continued by Frank Rink in 2010).

Prior winners have been:
2007: Paul Wells


2008: Mike Olinger (right)


2009: Frank Rink (right)


2010: Paul Wells (right)


2011: Frank Rink


2012: Jim Rink


2013: Mike Woodworth (a.m.)


2013:  Cory Bohmann (p.m.)


2014: Chad Bettisch (a.m.)


2014: Frank Rink (p.m.)


2015: Mike Olinger (right)


2016: Chad Bettisch

Sign up on this thread for the Saturday, November 25, 2017 "Paul Wells Memorial - Thanksgiving" Big 4 Tournament at Joliet!

Date, Peg Choice, Time Parameters for Tournament, Format:  Saturday, November 25, 2017 will mark the Illinois Tournament Series' "Paul Wells Memorial - Thanksgiving" Big 4 Carp Tournament at Joliet's DesPlaines River. This event will feature a Big 4 format.  Because daylight savings time will have ended, we will still have decent light in the morning, but sunset arrives early.  Therefore, the tournament will run from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a 6:00 a.m. peg choice.

Entry:  Entry is $20 for the tournament with 100% payout to winning anglers at a rate of 50% for 1st, 30% for 2nd, and 20% for 3rd for the Big 4 event.  The top three anglers will also receive a trophy (1st) and medals (2nd, 3rd).

Optional Contest:  There will be an optional $10 contest for most carp caught with 100% payout to the top two anglers at a 60%-40% split. 

Peg Choice Time and Place:  Peg choice will take place at 6:00 a.m. sharp at the parking lot just south of the Jefferson St. bridge.  If possible, please arrive a few minutes early for fee payment, waiver signature, scorecard distribution, meet and greet, etc.


Number of rods:  Please note that three rods per angler will be allowed.  IDNR requires that the third rod is marked with your name and address.  If 16 or fewer anglers are present, participants may use up to four rods!

Peg draw/choice procedures:  At  6:00 a.m. sharp, participating anglers will be part of a drawing to determine the order for peg choice. The order of this draw will be in the chronological order that anglers arrived at the venue.

The angler who draws the #1 chip will have first choice of pegs. The angler who draws the #2 chip will have second choice, and so on. Peg choices will be made in the order of chip numbers drawn.

Anglers arriving after 6:00 a.m. will draw, using the same format as the 6:00 a.m. draw, to determine choice of whatever pegs remain. There are no call-in peg choices, nor can someone choose for you in your absence. "You snooze, you lose."

Available pegs:  Sixteen Bicentennial Park pegs on the west side of the river (1 through 16), 13 pegs on the east bank (17 through 24E), and 14 Jackson St. pegs (J1 through J 14) will be available.  That's 43 pegs from which to choose.  All pegs will be marked with numbered flags.  Be prepared to choose a peg at the peg choice procedure.  

Medals:  In addition to the monetary prizes, a trophy for the first place Big 4 angler will be presented; and medals will be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place angler, to the top two "Total Number of Carp" winners, and to a "specialty" category winner. The "specialty" category will be announced at peg draw.

Medals for this event are pictured below.  They include 2 3/4" diameter medals in silver and bronze for 2nd and 3rd in the Big 4 event.  The 1st place gold medal will be an insert in the championship trophy.  Recipients will also receive 50%-30%-20% of the entry fees for their accomplishments. (Click on the images for a larger view)
 

Two inch medals will be awarded to the top two anglers in the optional Total Number of Carp contest at the tournament ($10 entry).  Recipients will also receive 60%-40% of the contest pot for their accomplishments.

A two-inch "Specialty Event" medal will be awarded to the angler at this event who comes closest to fulfilling the specialty event criteria (announced at peg choice).  For this tournament, the "specialty event" winner will also receive a small bait or tackle prize.

 

Permits, Approvals, Insurance, Waivers:   You will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to your participation.  Insurance and approval, required by the city of Joliet, have been acquired.  IDNR approval has also been received.

Moving to Different Pegs:  Due to the length of this tournament, movement to an unoccupied peg may be made at anytime during the event (first come, first served).  However, only one move may be made during the duration of the tournament, and you may not return to your original peg.  

Fair Play, Witnessing Catches:  I am allowing weigh-ins on the buddy system and honor system.   An isolated angler (the only one in a section) may weigh his own fish on the honor system. All other catches (with two or more anglers in your section) must have a witness sign/initial the scorecard for each catch.  If you turn in a scorecard without witness' initials, the fish will not count.  All recordable fish must be released alive and in good condition.

Sign up on this thread if interested in participating on November 25, 2017.  Thanks for your consideration! —Dr. Frank Rink, Tournament organizer

[FJR1]

Participating Anglers, so far:

Anthony Hartung


Chuck Ferczok

Mike Olinger


Justin Keaton


Tony Stout


Chad Bettisch


Frank Rink

Thank you, gentlemen!  

[FJR1]

Cory Bohmann, Dave Marceau, and Connor Reno are in!  Thank you, gentlemen! 
Cory Bohmann



Dave Marceau

Connor Reno


Participating anglers, so far:
Anthony Hartung
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton
Tony Stout
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Dave Marcea
Connor Reno
Frank Rink

[FJR1]

Fred Rhodes is in!  Thanks, Fred! 


Participating anglers, so far (11):
Anthony Hartung
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton
Tony Stout
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Dave Marceau
Connor Reno
Fred Rhodes
Frank Rink

[FJR1]

Walter Wheeler is in!  Thanks, Walter!

Participating anglers, so far (12):
Anthony Hartung
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton
Tony Stout
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Dave Marceau
Connor Reno
Fred Rhodes 
Walter Wheeler
Frank Rink

 

[FJR1]

The Detailed Rules for the Fall 2017 Illinois Carp Fishing News Tournament Series at Joliet 

Just a friendly reminder about rules for my events.  Failure to comply may result in disqualification of some or all of your entries.  I ask that you especially note rule #8.  Thanks!

Some details may change tournament to tournament, but these are the basics:

Safe carp care is a must. No treble hooks are allowed. Do not gill captured fish. Unhooking mats are required.

1. The 2017 Illinois Carp Fishing News Tournament J-Town Series will feature several separate tournaments on October 28, November 11, November 25, December 9, and December 31/January 1.  Anglers may fish in all events or pick and choose which events he/she would like to attend.

2. Most tournaments will be Big 4 events (total of heaviest four carp caught by an angler during the tournament). There will also be an optional contest for Total Number of Fish.  There will also be Specialty Events with tackle/bait items as prizes.

Peg choice for each session will be conducted at pegs 6-7 (Bluff and Jefferson parking lot), Bicentennial Park (South) in Joliet, Illinois (except for the Dec. 31 event, which will be held at the Jackson St. pegs). The peg draw time will vary based on the daylight hours available.  If you are late, you will be at the end of the list for peg choice.  

Pegs/flags shall be about 10-20 yards apart and will be staked out by the league official(s) and numbered PRIOR TO CHOOSING PEGS.

3. Bicentennial Park (16 pegs), the east bank (13 pegs), and Jackson Street (14 pegs) will be pegged for each event.  Consequently, there will be 43 separate pegs available for a tournament. 

4. At each sessions designated peg choice time, anglers, who are present, who have signed a 2017 waiver of liability, and who have paid their entry fees, will be part of the peg assignment process.

Each tournament will feature peg choices by participating anglers. At all sessions, participating anglers will be part of a drawing to determine the order for peg choice. The order of this draw will be in the chronological order that anglers arrived at the venue.

Peg choices will be made in the numerical order of chip numbers drawn. The angler who draws the #1 chip will have first choice of pegs. The angler who draws the #2 chip will have second choice, and so on. 

Anglers arriving after the designated peg draw time will draw, using the same format as the original draw, to determine choice of whatever pegs remain. There are no call-in peg choices, nor can someone choose for you in your absence. "You snooze, you lose."

5. Tournaments will be limited to a minimum of four anglers, and, usually, there will be no maximum. However, the organizer may set a maximum participation limit.

6. Anglers may go to their pegs immediately after they choose their pegs. All pegs will be along the west and east shores of the DesPlaines River at Bicentennial Park (north and/or south parks) and at the Jackson St. bridge. There is the possibility that an angler could choose a peg that is isolated from the other anglers. An isolated peg is defined as a peg that has no other anglers in your section. For purposes of witnessing catches, there are eight sections defined by the following peg groupings: (1, 2, 3, 4), (5, 6, 7, 8), (9, 10, 11, 12), (13, 14, 15, 16), (17, 18, 19), (20, 21, 22), (23, 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E) (J-1 through J-14 at Jackson St.). An isolated angler (no others in section) may weigh his own fish on the honor system. All others must have a witness sign/initial each catch.  All recordable fish must be released alive and in good condition.

7. During the preparation period, competitors may set-up their gear, test their rigs, and plumb depth. Electronic depth finders are allowed. YOU MAY NOT CHUM UNTIL THE START OF EACH TOURNAMENT.

8. Anglers must be positioned NOT farther than 6 (six) feet to either side of their peg/flag if you have anglers positioned on either side of you. An angler may cast up to HALF THE DISTANCE TO THE NEXT OCCUPIED PEG on either side. If you choose pegs where there is no angler at a peg to your left or to your right, you may cast as far to the left or right as you can/wish, but you must cast from a position of no more than 20 feet from your peg flag. You may also position your rods as close to the bridges/ends as possible, but within 20 feet of the peg flag (pegs 1, 8, 9, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24E, J-1, J-2, J-3, J-14).

At any time during the day of the tournament, an angler may move to another open peg under the following conditions:
A. The peg must be one of the 43 marked/flagged pegs in the tournament venue, and it must be unoccupied.
B. An angler can claim the peg by being physically at the peg and placing some kind of fishing equipment near the peg chains. First come, first served. You may not claim a new peg until you have vacated and stopped fishing at your previous peg. Only one peg change is allowed over the course of the tournament.  You may not return to your original peg.
C. This arrangement does pose the risk of someone chumming a peg prior to the tournament. We trust your honor and are confident that such prior feeding will not be the case.

9. Unless otherwise specified, anglers will be restricted to fishing with 3 poles, 3 lines, and 3 hooks at a time. As per Illinois DNR regulations, the third rod must be marked with your name and address. An angler may have as many spares set-up and ready as wanted, but he may only use three (3) at a time. Plumbing rods and electronic depth/fish finders are allowed and may be used while your three baited lines are in the water.

10. Ledger, feeder, hair-rigging, side-hooking, and float fishing are allowed. NO artificial lures such as jigs may be used. However, imitation baits are allowed: plastic corn, boilies, etc.

11. An angler MUST STRIKE and PLAY the fish UNASSISTED. In other words, if anyone other than the pegged angler touches the pole/reel with a fish on the line, that fish will not count. Netting the fish may be done by anyone. 

12. All fish will be weighed in the presence of an angler who is entered in the competition, unless you are at an isolated peg (no anglers within your section), in which case you may weigh your own fish on the honor system. Each fish weighed will require the weight, time of catch, and signature/initials by the witnessing angler recorded on the score sheet, or the fish WILL NOT COUNT! A fish must be released alive and able to swim away in good shape, or the fish WILL NOT COUNT! Eligible carp are commons, mirrors, crucians, hybrids/goldfish, and koi.

13. A fish must be hooked by the ending time of each event, and fishing stops at that time! Since we will all be fishing different locations, there will be no horn or whistle, just an honor system. If a carp is hooked just prior to the ending time, it must be out of the water within 15 minutes of the ending time. Once again, the honor system applies here. Anglers are to submit their score sheets to the organizer at the conclusion of the tournament. 

14. All anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license. You wlll need a 2017 Illinois fishing license for events from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018.

15. The entry fees are $20 for the day. 100% of entries will be returned as prizes at the rate of 50% for first, 30% for second, and 20% for third. There will also be optional $10 contest for the total number of carp captured.  That also features a 100% return at 60%-40% for first and second place.  

You must catch a fish to win a prize. If nobody catches fish or if fewer than three anglers catch fish, the un-won entry fees will be returned to non-winners in equal portions.  

16. The session will typically be held no matter what the river conditions are. However, dangerous weather may cause suspension, postponement, or cancellation.

17. If an angler arrives at his peg, and a local angler is fishing in that peg or a boat is moored at that peg, then he is to set up as close as he can to his assigned peg. If that puts him too close to the next assigned peg, the angler at the next assigned peg will have to adjust, also, to allow both anglers room.

18. Tie-breakers--In the case of a tie in weight, the prize will be determined by the biggest fish in the group.  If there is still a tie, the prize will be evenly split.

19. As a matter of courtesy and fairness to all, anglers and their designees are asked not to bait or fish the venue 24 hours prior to an event. Thank you.

20. For tournament results and angler recognition, please take photos of some of your catches and send them to the tournament host. 

21. Have fun, be safe, and catch some fish! Good luck!

[FJR1]

Jim Snyder is in!  Thank you, Jim! 

 

[FJR1]

Eric "Chops" Krople is in!  Thank you, Chops! 


Participating anglers, so far (14):
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Chuck Ferczok
Anthony Hartung
Justin Keaton
Chops Krople
Dave Marceau
Mike Olinger
Connor Reno
Fred Rhodes 
Frank Rink
Jim Snyder
Tony Stout
Walter Wheeler
 

[Blacksheep]

I'm  in!

[FJR1]

On 11/15/2017 at 6:00 PM, Blacksheep said:

I'm  in!

Thanks, Larry!  Larry Seeman is in!  

Participating anglers, so far (15):
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Chuck Ferczok
Anthony Hartung
Justin Keaton
Chops Krople
Dave Marceau
Mike Olinger
Connor Reno
Fred Rhodes 
Frank Rink
Larry Seeman
Jim Snyder
Tony Stout
Walter Wheeler

 

[(IL) CHIBIGTEE]

Hey Frank. I made time to fish this event. Hopefully there is still space. If so, I’ll take one.

[FJR1]

34 minutes ago, CHIBIGTEE said:

Hey Frank. I made time to fish this event. Hopefully there is still space. If so, I’ll take one.

Thanks, Tracy.  You're in!
 

Participating anglers, so far (16):
Chad Bettisch
Cory Bohmann
Chuck Ferczok
Anthony Hartung
Tracy Jourdan
Justin Keaton
Chops Krople
Dave Marceau
Mike Olinger
Connor Reno
Fred Rhodes 
Frank Rink
Larry Seeman
Jim Snyder
Tony Stout
Walter Wheeler

[FJR1]

"Paul Wells Memorial Thanksgiving Carp Tournament"
Saturday, November 25, 2017 
Bicentennial Park - Joliet, IL

We are just one week away from the November 25 tournament in Joliet.  The long range forecast (I hope it changes) calls for a high of 38°, a low of 23°, a SE wind at 8mph, and possible rain or drizzle.  Sixteen anglers have committed so far.  I'm happy to add a few more.  Good luck!

[Blacksheep]

Not the proper thread but just reminding everyone to vote for CAG President. Don't waste your time trying to vote more than once, they wont let you. No matter how many times you try.  Just keep in mind, you already have a President with a BIG mouth, do you really want one CAG to have one also?

[FJR1]

13 hours ago, Blacksheep said:

Not the proper thread but just reminding everyone to vote for CAG President. Don't waste your time trying to vote more than once, they wont let you. No matter how many times you try.  Just keep in mind, you already have a President with a BIG mouth, do you really want one CAG to have one also?

I thought you were a big Trump fan. 

[FJR1]

There's been a big change in the weather forecast for Joliet on 11/25.17. The 1 1/2 hours of rain/drizzle in the morning is out of the forecast, and temperatures should now reach 50° on Saturday with WNW breezes at 10 mph. Stay tuned.

Participating Anglers, so far (16):
Anthony Hartung 
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton 
Tony Stout 
Chad Bettisch 
Cory Bohmann 
Dave Marceau
Connor Reno 
Fred Rhodes 
Walter Wheeler 
Jim Snyder 
Chops Krople 
Larry Seeman
Tracy Jourdan
Frank Rink 

If our list of anglers stays at 16 (or 16 or fewer show up), make sure you bring enough rods as up to four will be allowed per angler. Good luck!

[Blacksheep]

21 minutes ago, FJR1 said:

I thought you were a big Trump fan. 

I am, just not a big Larry fan.

 

[FJR1]

Emilio Montoya is in!  Thanks, Emilio! 

Participating Anglers, so far (17):
Anthony Hartung 
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton 
Tony Stout 
Chad Bettisch 
Cory Bohmann 
Dave Marceau
Connor Reno 
Fred Rhodes 
Walter Wheeler 
Jim Snyder 
Chops Krople 
Larry Seeman
Tracy Jourdan
Emilio Montoya
Frank Rink 

If 16 or fewer show up, make sure you bring enough rods as up to four will be allowed per angler. Good luck!

[FJR1]

On 11/19/2017 at 5:02 PM, Blacksheep said:

Not the proper thread but just reminding everyone to vote for CAG President. Don't waste your time trying to vote more than once, they wont let you. No matter how many times you try.  Just keep in mind, you already have a President with a BIG mouth, do you really want one CAG to have one also?

The official election results for CAG President are :
Iain Sorrell              -   82.93%  (68)
Larry Kirchner        -   17.07%  (14)

It was a fairly dismal showing as far as the actual votes are concerned with just a little over 21% of the CAG membership casting a ballot.

Congratulations to Iain Sorrell.  CAG leadership at the presidential level has been left a bit wanting for the past couple years, so I wish Iain all the best in getting the organization back on track and am confident in his communication and consensus-building abilities.  Best of luck. --Frank

[(CO) JohnFinney]

Congratulations to Iain ! 

As for the low turn out, it must have been the Russian hackers that worked against Larry 

Seriously, thankyou to both Iain and Larry for stepping up and having some constructive dialogue in the Q & A.

 

[Blacksheep]

1 hour ago, JohnFinney said:

Congratulations to Iain ! 

As for the low turn out, it must have been the Russian hackers that worked against Larry 

Seriously, thankyou to both Iain and Larry for stepping up and having some constructive dialogue in the Q & A.

 

Ya, it was the Russians, LOL.

[FJR1]

We are just 60 hours away away from the November 25 tournament in Joliet.  The forecast (much improved) calls for a high of 50° at 2:00 p.m, a low of 39° at 7:00 a.m., a NNW wind at 10mph with gusts to 15mph, and mostly sunny skies. 

Seventeen anglers have committed so far.  Prizes will be awarded to the top five Big 4 anglers (1st - 50% of entry and trophy, 2nd - 30% of entry and medal, 3rd - 20% of entry and medal, 4th - $50 Visa card donated by Larry Seeman, 5th - gently used Diawa Reel), 60% - 40% split of entries and medals for 1st-2nd in optional Most-Carp Contest, and medals for the specialty events (1st carp, last carp, big carp). 

If 16 or fewer anglers show up, please note that up to four rods may be used at your chosen peg!  Good luck!

[FJR1]

Participating Anglers, so far (17), for the November 25, 2017 "Paul Wells Memorial - Thanksgiving Weekend" Big 4 Carp Tournament at Joliet, IL:
Anthony Hartung 
Chuck Ferczok
Mike Olinger
Justin Keaton 
Tony Stout 
Chad Bettisch 
Cory Bohmann 
Dave Marceau
Connor Reno 
Fred Rhodes 
Walter Wheeler 
Jim Snyder 
Chops Krople 
Larry Seeman
Tracy Jourdan
Emilio Montoya
Frank Rink 

If 16 or fewer show up, make sure you bring enough rods as up to four will be allowed per angler. Good luck!

 

[FJR1]

A few reminders for tomorrow's Paul Wells Memorial - Thanksgiving Weekend Tournament:

1.  This is a Big 4 event ($20 entry).  There is an optional contest for Most-Carp ($10).

2.  Peg choice is at 6:00 a.m. sharp at the parking lot near pegs 6-7 just SW of the Jefferson St. Bridge.  Awards shortly after 4:00 p.m. at the same lot.

3.  Fishing is from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  No chumming prior to 7:00.  You may move once to an unoccupied peg at any time during the course of the event.

4.  If you are on an end peg or have no anglers to your right or left, you may cast as far as you wish, BUT you must cast from a position of no more than 20 feet (6-7 paces) from the peg flag.

5.  Trophy for 1st in Big 4 Tournament.  Medals for 2nd and 3rd.  50%-30%-20% of entries payout for 1st-2nd-3rd Big 4 winners.  Medals for 1st-2nd in optional Most-Carp contest.  60%-40% of entries payout.  Medals for specialty events (just medals) for first carp, last carp, and big carp.

6.  Don't forget the $50 Visa Gft Card donated by Larry Seeman for 4th place in the Big 4 event.

7.  Don't forget the Daiwa Regal Plus 5000 BRi reel spooled with Sufix Elite line for 5th place in the Big 4 event.


8.  A perusal of the participant list and the weather forecast (a high of 50° but a brisk NNW wind) give me reason to think that there may be some no-shows.  I am allowing four rods per angler if 16 or fewer signees show up.

9.  Practice exemplary carp care.  Drive safely.  I hope the bite is on.  Good luck.--Frank