The CAG Presents
The Seventh Annual
Chicago Carp Classic
South Bank of the Chicago River from Michigan Avenue to the Lake
&
CAG Annual Meeting
Harrison Street Holiday Inn, 506 West Harrison, Chicago
North America’s Premier Carp Fishing Event
September 29-October 1, 2000
Chicago, Illinois
When Bigdog speaks, carp anglers listen. And Bigdog (aka John Goepper, 1999 Chicago Carp King) says, "the CCC is just about the most fun I have ever had in my life… All you carpers out there, don’t miss it. It is truly a super wonderful time." This year’s event will be the best ever with new events, great prizes and a chance to fish with some really outstanding carp anglers.
Three full days of activities are planned. On Friday, Schalk Van Breda, South Africa’s top carp angler will demonstrate the somewhat unusual and highly effective methods used in that country. Also on Friday, we will have a spodding accuracy contest—practice up and bring your spod and spod rod. Friday evening we will have a flea market at the hotel. This will provide an opportunity for you to sell unneeded gear and perhaps pick up some good second hand items. Commercial vendors will also be offering a great variety of carp bait and tackle.
Saturday is the main event and we will start fishing at 9:00am and continue until 4:00pm. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for greatest total weight of four carp (North American Carp Champion), section winners, biggest fish (Chicago Carp King), most fish (a new trophy sponsored by Fox International) and for the most ingenious and useful bit of homemade carp gear (Elliot Bennett/Damn Yankee Award for Creative Carp Gear). Nobody goes home empty handed, even those who blank will get some excellent bait and tackle.
On Sunday, Tommy Riley, with Paul Wells and Todd Carlander, will host recreational fishing at Belmont Harbor on Lake Michigan. They will be pre-baiting the site with boilies and will supply same to the anglers. This is a great chance to catch some really big fish. Last year everyone managed at least a twenty pounder and England’s Max Cottis pulled in a magnificent 38-pound fish. Fishing starts at sun-up and continues until everyone is sated. Maps will be available Friday and Saturday.
Weekend Schedule
Thursday, September 28, 2000
7:00 p.m. Maize-boil Party hosted by Wacker Baits, RSVP to paul@wackerbaits.com or 708-386-0603
Friday, September 29, 2000
All day Join CAG & Register for CCC
Recreational fishing, spodding contest and demonstration of South African methods, Ping Tom Memorial Park, 19th Street and Wentworth
5:00 p.m. Flea market/sale of carp bait and tackle, Holiday Inn VanBuren/Randolph room, Harrison and Canal.
7:00 p.m. Annual meeting and award ceremony, Holiday Inn VanBuren/Randolph room, Harrison and Canal.
8:30 p.m. Continue Flea Market and sale
11:00 p.m. Meeting room closes
Saturday, September 30, 2000
6:30 am Registration Opens
7:30 am Welcome to Chicago and the Chicago River
Bud Yancey, President of the Carp Anglers Group
7:45 a.m. Draw for pegs
8:15 a.m. Set up and chum
9:00 a.m. FISHING STARTS
4:00 p.m. FISHING ENDS
Break for barbecue
4:15 p.m. Raffle drawing
4:30 p.m. Announcement of the winners
4:45 p.m. Clean up and adjourn or go fish a bit longer
Sunday, October 1, 2000
All day Monster Carp Fish-In, Belmont Harbor, Lake Michigan (hosted by Tommy Riley, Paul Wells and Todd Carlander). They plan an extensive boilie pre-baiting campaign and will supply boilies to visiting anglers.
Preliminary Rules
All participants must be paid-up members of the Carp Anglers Group and must hold valid Illinois fishing licenses (available online at http://dnr.state.il.us and at the venue). All applicable Illinois fishing regulations must be followed. Two rods may be used and chumming is allowed. Carp anglers will be unfailingly considerate of other anglers, stewards, tourists, and boaters. Every effort must be made to see that the fish are treated humanely and are returned to the water as quickly and gently as possible.
Additional rules may be announced at the time of the event but we do aim to keep it as simple as possible and to rely on civilized behavior rather than rules.
Accommodations
We have reserved rooms at the Harrison Street Holiday Inn (506 West Harrison, Chicago, 312-957-9100) and at the Travelodge on Harrison (66 East Harrison, Chicago, 312-427-8000). The Holiday Inn is $139 for up to 5 people per room, the Travelodge is $90 for up to 4 people per room. Reserve early to ensure these rates.
Directions
To the Hotels
The Holiday Inn is at 506 W. Harrison at Canal, immediately south of the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and just west of the Old Post Office, the immense building that straddles the east end of the Expressway. Call them at 312-957-9100 if you get lost.
The Travelodge is at 66 E. Harrison, 0.7 miles east of the Holiday Inn, 312-427-8000
To the Chicago River
From northbound Lake Shore Drive, exit onto Wacker Drive (west bound, of course, since the lake is to the east). Take Wacker to Columbus Drive, left (south) on Columbus 1 block. Turn right into the center lane that will take you down a ramp to a stop sign. Turn right at the stop sign and go 1 block to the river.
From eastbound Eisenhower Expressway, exit onto Wacker Drive and then take Lower Wacker. Wacker follows the river north for about 0.7 miles and then east for about the same distance. Stay in the right lane and watch for the signs indicating the divergence of Wacker to the left and South Water to the right. Take South Water 2-3 blocks, past the stop light to a stop sign just before an up-ramp. Turn left at the stop sign and go 1 block to the river.
From the Holiday Inn, go 0.7 miles north on Canal to Lake Street. Turn right on Lake, get into the left lane and go approximately 0.5 miles and watch for a McDonalds’s. Just past McDonald’s is an alley called Garvey Court. Turn left onto Garvey and go a few yards to the stoplight at Lower Wacker, Turn right and proceed about 0.1 mile to the South Water fork. Take South Water 2-3 blocks, past the stop light to a stop sign just before an up-ramp. Turn left at the stop sign and go 1 block to the river.
To Ping Tom Memorial Park
From the Holiday Inn, go south on Canal Street about 1.1 miles to 18th Street. Turn left (east) on 18th and take the bridge over the River. The park will be visible from the bridge on the right. Take a right at Wentworth and another right on 19th into the Park.
Stewards
We cannot run the Classic without the help of Stewards and urge you to ask your friends, spouses and family members to volunteer. Anybody who can read a scale is welcome. We will award a $100 cash prize to one randomly selected volunteer and will provide free barbecue to all volunteers.
Sponsors, Donations & Prizes
The Chicago Carp Classic is made possible by the kind and generous assistance of The Mayor’s Office of the City of Chicago (special thanks to Tom Grey) and The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (thanks to Bob Williamson).
Donations including prizes for the Classic and for the raffle:
Fox International- Sponsors of a new prize category, "The Fox International Classic Carp Cup" awarded for the most carp caught. One of each of their great rod pods (the Quattro, Euro, Evolution, Warrior, Frontier and Classic Pods), complete with buzz bars, butt rests and Micron electronic bite indicators. Several of their fabulous new 12' Rangemaster Carp rods.
David Hall Publishing- 6 one year subscriptions to each of England’s leading carp magazines,Advanced Carp Fishing and Total Carp.
Reuben-Heaton- A dozen 60 lb x 1 oz state-of-the-art scales.
Aurora Sports- Four 12' IM6 Graphite Carp rods, the rods endorsed by the Carp Anglers Group.
Cabela’s- Waterproof binoculars, "bullet-proof" case for two scoped rifles, prints.
Berkley- "Vanish" the easy casting fluorocarbon line, a spool for every participant.
Shimano- A Thunnus 6000F Baitrunner reel, the best baitrunner available.
Henry’s Sports & Tackle –Logistic help and tackle.
J & M (Jim Moyer) Catfish Guide - Five 8' Berkley ReFlex catfish rods
Carpe Carpio- Tee shirts and hats feature great carp art.
EuroTackle- Great selection of carp tackle.
Wacker Baits- Host of the Maize Boil, 8 oz bottle of "Obsession for Carp" for all anglers who blank.
Canadian Carp Company- Super bait flavors and additives.
SuperCast- South African baits and flavors.
D.A.F.– Pescaviva, The great Italian corn for carp.
VMC- World’s finest fish hooks, Fastgrip carp hooks.
Korda Developments – Leads and terminal tackle.
Dan Giegerich on behalf of the Show Me Carp Catchers of Missouri- Bait and tackle.
Entry
Since only a limited number of pegs will be available for the Classic, we urge you register as soon as possible using the attached form.
Registrations will also be taken Friday at the Chinatown Park and between 6:30 and 7:30 the morning of the Classic.
Since the Classic is a CAG event, all participants must be CAG members on Saturday, September 30, 2000. You will be able to join CAG or renew your membership at the venue up until 7:30 the day of the Classic. CAG dues are $20 per year, $35 for two years or $50 for three years. Membership includes you and your immediate family residing at the same address. Use the form below to join or renew.
The Classic presents a great opportunity to meet carp anglers and to learn about the sport. Even if you do not want to enter or serve as a steward, please fell free to stop by to visit with the greatest concentration of carp anglers you are likely to find anywhere.
For additional information about the Classic, contact Paul Pezalla (708-386-0603, ppezalla@wackerbaits.com) or Jim Monahan (312-642-8404, gadzuk4x4@aol.com).
For general information about the Carp Anglers Group, call Bud Yancey, 309-387-2277.