SIGN UP - December 9, 2017 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Tournament at Joliet, IL

[FJR1]

"Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Big 8 Team Carp Tournament
Saturday, December 9, 2017 
Bicentennial Park - Joliet, IL

In memory and in honor of Sam Snow who first initiated the Joliet carp tournaments, our December tournament is now called the "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Carp Tournament.  Sam passed away in August 2015.  He was among the early leaders of the Carp Anglers Group, serving as Illinois chair and organizing many events through CAG and his Midwest Carp Anglers Association (MCAA).  Although he had not been active in organized carp fishing since 2010, Sam's legacy continues throughout Illinois with events and tournaments organized under parameters similar to Sam’s past events.  I will always remember Big Sam as extremely generous with his time, resources, and expertise.  His kindness and good will were as big as his 6'7" stature.
 

Sign up on this thread for the Saturday, December 9, 2017 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet!

There is a bit of a twist this year in tournament parameters.  The tournament will feature a team format with two-person teams determined by draw at 6:30 a.m.  Eleven peg groupings will be available for teams.  To allow some elbow room and some choices, this tournament is limited to 16 anglers!

Date, Peg Choice, Time Parameters for Tournament, Format:  Saturday, December 9, 2017 will mark the Illinois Tournament Series' "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Big 8 team Carp Tournament at Joliet's DesPlaines River. It will also feature teams of two, but teams will be determined via draw rather than you having to find a teammate.  This event will feature a Big 8 format.  Big 8 means the biggest eight carp captured by a team of two anglers.  However, one member of the team may catch all of the fish.  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 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with a 6:30 a.m. peg choice. 

Entry:  Entry is $20 per angler for the tournament with 100% payout to winning teams at a rate of 50% for 1st, 30% for 2nd, and 20% for 3rd for the Big 8 event.  A trophy for first and medals for 2nd and 3rd will be awarded.

Optional Contest:  There will be an optional $10 per individual contest for most carp caught by a team with 100% payout to the top two teams at a 60%-40% split. Teams are eligible only if both teammates participate.

Team Assignments, Peg Choice Time and Place:  Team assignments and peg choice will take place at 6:30 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 four rods per angler will be allowed (8 per team).  IDNR requires that the third and fourth rod are marked with your name and address.  In addition, teammates may play one another's catches if needed.

Team assignment/Peg choice procedures:  At  6:30 a.m. sharp, participating anglers will be part of a drawing to determine team assignments and the order for peg choice.

For team assignments, anglers will have their names placed in a bag. The first two names drawn will be Team 1, the next two will be Team 2 and so on. This allows a safety/buddy system by which two anglers fish in close proximity to one another, thereby providing some safety for participants fishing throughout the Joliet venue.  Note:  It's December and the chance for cold weather is a given.  If anglers arrive in the same car, and to assure some warmth if needed, they may fish as a team, if they wish, rather than being subject to the draw to determine teammates.  However, all others (those who arrive alone) are subject to the random draw procedure to determine teams.

 If there is an odd number of anglers who enter, Frank Rink will volunteer to be a team-of-one.  That individual may use up to eight rods.  If someone else wants to be a team-of-one, he is to indicate that before the team draw, and he will be a team-of-one.  Or, if there is more than one angler wanting to fish alone, a drawing will determine who fishes alone.

Because of this team system, fishing locations will be groupings of pegs. The following pegs will be grouped as one fishing area each: Pegs 1 to 4, pegs 4 to 8, pegs 9 to 12, pegs 13 to 16, pegs 17 to 19, pegs 20 to 22, pegs 23 to 24E, Pegs J-1 and J-2 (could be a little tight for 8 rods), Pegs J-3 to J-6, Pegs J-7 to J-10, and Pegs J-11 to J-14.

New teammates will have a few minutes to discuss their preferred areas/peg groupings.  Next, a draw will be conducted to determine order of location choice.  The order of peg choice draw will be in the chronological order that anglers arrived at the venue.  The team that draws the #1 chip will have first choice of peg grouping. The team that 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 6:30 a.m. will draw, using the same format as the 6:30 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 peg groupings (11):  Pegs 1 to 4, pegs 4 to 8, pegs 9 to 12, pegs 13 to 16, pegs 17 to 19, pegs 20 to 22, pegs 23 to 24E, Pegs J-1 and J-2 (could be a little tight for 8 rods), Pegs J-3 to J-6, Pegs J-7 to J-10, and Pegs J-11 to J-14.  Teammates may fish anywhere within that peg grouping.  You are not limited to fishing at the usual peg flags.

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

Medals for this event are pictured below.  They include 2 3/4" diameter medals in gold, silver, and bronze for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the Big 4 event.  Recipents 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:   If you are new to the 2017 Fall events, you will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to your participation.  I have acquired all required insurance and approvals (Joliet, IDNR) for this event.

Moving to Different Pegs:  Due to the length of this tournament, movement to an unoccupied peg grouping 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 grouping.  Teammates will determine at which specific location each of them will fish in their peg grouping.

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.  During team tournaments, teams may weigh and witness their own fish. In addition, a teammate may play the other teammate's fish!

Sign up on this thread if interested in participating on December 9.  Thanks for your consideration! —Dr. Frank Rink, Tournament organizer

This will be the seventh consecutive year that we have held a mid-December Tournament at Joliet!

Prior winners have been as follows:

2016 - Frank Rink

2015 - Frank Rink

2014 A.M. - Cory Bohmann


2014 P.M. - Larry Seeman

2013 A.M. - Mike Woodworth


2013 P.M. - Cory Bohmann


2012 A.M. - Frank Rink


2012 P.M. - Cory Bohmann


2011 - Jim Rink

[FJR1]

The following eight anglers are in, so far.  Thank you, gentlemen! 

Chad Bettisch


Connor Reno


Anthony Hartung

Cory Bohmann


Emilio Montoya


Dave Marceau


Frank Rink

 

 

[FJR1]

Chuck Ferczok is in!  Thanks, Chuck! 

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Frank Rink
 

[FJR1]

Mike Olinger is in!  Thanks, Mike!  

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9. Frank Rink
 

[FJR1]

Tracy Jourdan is in!  Thanks, Tracy!  

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9.  Tracy Jourdan
10. Frank Rink

[FJR1]

Jeff Conroy is in!  Thanks, Jeff!  

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9.  Tracy Jourdan
10. Jeff Conroy
11. Frank Rink

Just five (5) openings remain!  Sign up soon if you want in!  Thanks for your consideration!

[FJR1]

Jim Snyder and Chops Krople are in!  Thank you, gentlemen! 
Jim Snyder


Chops Krople

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9. Tracy Jourdan
10. Jeff Conroy
11. Jim Snyder
12. Chops Krople
13. Frank Rink

Just three (3) openings remain!  Sign up soon if you want in!  Thanks for your consideration!

If you are signed up but unable to attend the event on 12/9/17, please inform me asap.  Since this is a team tournament at which teams are determined during the 6:30 a.m. draw, we need 16 anglers who are committed to attend.  Thanks!

[FJR1]

Here are some additional details regarding your team section choices for the December 9 and December 31/January 1 team tournaments:

 

Most Team fishing sections have shared borders beyond which you are not to cast. Here is a brief summary.

A. The border between west bank pegs 1-4 (Team section 1) and 5-8 (Team section 2) will be the middle bench in the grouping of three benches in the middle of pegs 1-8.

B. The border between west bank pegs 9-12 (Team section 3) and 13-16 (Team section 4) will be the south edge of the Bicentennial Park Building/Theater.

C. The border between east bank pegs 17-19 (Team section 5) and 20-22 (Team section 6) will be the fifth window (these are the large windows) from the south corner of the Harrah's Casino building.

D. The east bank section including pegs 23-24E (Team section 7) has the bridge as its north border. Anglers can cast beyond peg 24E on the south end but from a position no more than 20 feet from the peg flag.

E. The Jackson St. section including pegs J-1-2 (Team section J-1) has structures as borders (The Jackson St. Bridge on the NW edge and the slip wall on the east edge).

F. The Jackson venue border between pegs J3-6 (Team section J-2), J7-10 (Team section J-3), and J11-14 (Team section J-4) will be marked by flags. Do not cast beyond these flags. The team choosing section J-4 (pegs J11-14) can cast south of peg J-14 but from a position no more than 20 feet from the peg flag.

 

Thanks! Good luck!

 

[FJR1]

We are twelve days away from December 9 and, as we all know, forecasts often change during that time frame.  However, the current December 9 forecast for Joliet calls for a carbon copy of what we experienced on November 25.  At this point, Accuweather calls for mostly sunny skies with a high of 48° and NW winds at 8 mph on 12/9/17.  I suggest you take a look at November 25 tournament results to prioritize your team locations for December 9, or maybe not.  I have never been able to figure out where the carp will be or when they will bite in Joliet, especially during an eight hour tournament.  Good luck! --Frank

[FJR1]

Bill Hodge is in!  He will be riding with Chad Bettisch, so they are the first team finalized for the December 9 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Big 8 Team Tournament in Joliet. Thanks, Bill! 

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch (Teamed with Bill Hodge)
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9. Tracy Jourdan
10. Jeff Conroy
11. Jim Snyder
12. Chops Krople
13. Bill Hodge (Teamed with Chad Bettisch)
14. Frank Rink

Just two (2) openings remain!  Sign up soon if you want in!  Thanks for your consideration!  If there are other duos riding to the event together together and wish to fish as a team (the only way to establish a team without the 12/9 draw), let me know, and I'll indicate such on the participant list.

If you are signed up but unable to attend the event on 12/9/17, please inform me asap.  Since this is a team tournament at which teams are determined during the 6:30 a.m. draw, we need 16 anglers who are committed to attend.  Thanks!

[FJR1]

Each championship teammate will receive a trophy at the December 9 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let It Snow" Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet! Medals to the 2nd and 3rd place teams will also be awarded.

[FJR1]

Tony Donato is in!  Thanks, Tony! 

Just one opening remains for the December 9, 2017 "Sam Snow Memorial - Let it Snow" Big 8 Team Tournament at Joliet. 

If the roster of anglers remains as is, that means 15 will be at the 6:30 a.m. team draw (Brrr, it will be cold). I will fish as a Team of One and not participate in the draw if an odd number of anglers show up. 

HOWEVER, if anyone wishes to fish as a Team of One, I will be happy to defer to your preference. If more than one of you wants to be on a one man team, then we will draw before the team draw to determine who fishes as one.

Good luck!  Dress warmly!


Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch (Teamed with Bill Hodge)
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9. Tracy Jourdan
10. Jeff Conroy
11. Jim Snyder (Teamed with Chops Krople)
12. Chops Krople (Teamed with Jim Snyder)
13. Bill Hodge (Teamed with Chad Bettisch)
14. Tony Donato
15. Frank Rink

[FJR1]

A few reminders:

1. Team draw and peg choice at 6:30; fishing from 7:30 to 3:30; no feeding/chumming until 7:30.

2. Eight rods per team are allowed. Mark rods as per IDNR regulations. Teammates may play one another's carp.

3. Only anglers riding to the event in the same vehicle may be pre-determined teams. All other teams will be determined by draw.

4. If there is an odd number of anglers, the organizer will fish as a team-of-one. If someone else wishes to fish alone, the organizer will defer.

5. Trophies to 1st place team, medals for second and third ($ breakdown is 50%-30%-20% of entries). Medals to first and second place teams in optional Most-Carp Contest ($ breakdown 60%-40% if six teams enter; winner take all if 5 or fewer teams enter). Specialty medals to team catching first carp of day. Specialty medals to team catching last carp of day. 

6. $20 entry per individual for Big 8 Tournament. $10 optional entry for Most-Carp contest.

7. Be safe, stay warm, and good luck!

[FJR1]

Latest weather forecast for Dec. 9 at Joliet with 24 hours to go before tournament time: COLD - High of 31° with a real feel of 19°; a couple morning flurries (2 hours) accumulating to about an inch (Be careful when netting those fish on slick ledges/walls); winds from the NW at 14 mph gusting to 24 mph; cloudy, but breaking for some sun. 

Drive safely. Hope to see you at Joliet tomorrow for 6:30 a.m. team draw!

The weather may be similar to what Cory Bohmann and Mike Olinger experienced at Joliet 10 years ago on December 4, 2007!

Participating anglers, so far:
1. Chad Bettisch (Teamed with Bill Hodge)
2. Connor Reno
3. Anthony Hartung
4. Cory Bohmann
5. Emilio Montoya
6. Dave Marceau
7. Chuck Ferczok
8. Mike Olinger
9. Tracy Jourdan
10. Jeff Conroy
11. Jim Snyder (Teamed with Chops Krople)
12. Chops Krople (Teamed with Jim Snyder)
13. Bill Hodge (Teamed with Chad Bettisch)
14. Tony Donato
15. Frank Rink

One opening remains!

 

[(TN) Cannonball]

Snow?  Freezing temperatures? Wind chill?  And you have a bunch signed up for this?  Oh, well, let the games begin!  Good luck to all participants.  I do wish we have a venue like yours as many places here in TN aren't conducive (like the big word?) to having a fish-in.  We have a few places but need some young guys who are adept at climbing rip-rap.