You were doing what with WHAT?
No, no, no, CARP. Let me explain.
For those who don’t know, a carp is an invasive species brought to North America from Europe in the 1800’s where it was used for food. Here it’s considered a "rough" fish with no limits, no seasons, and minimal restrictions on removing them from Wisconsin waters. (See the fishing regulations for details)
When I was growing up, this time of year was not only the beginning of summer vacation. When the lilacs bloomed it meant the carp were in to spawn. So what, you say? Carp are a blast on a rod and reel! I always described catching them like taking a small running outboard motor, tying your line to it and throwing it off the pier. Carp have large tails and fins for swimming in current and really don’t like coming up to the surface.
All one needs to try this is a medium to medium heavy rod, reel, and line set up, and a can of whole kernel corn.
I preferred braided line, but monofilament worked too. We would tie a snap swivel on then use pre-tied eagle claw snelled hooks. (10 or so to a pack) The snap swivel is the only weight. (Carp are just as sensitive to any resistance as walleye) Throw a handful of corn where you will be fishing. Put 3 or 4 kernels on your hook, making sure the tip is covered. Drop your hook in the middle of the corn you threw in. Leave a bit of slack in the line. (Again, they will drop it if they feel tension) Set the rod down, and wait. When you see the line starting to tighten, reel in the slack, set the hook, and hang on. Oh yeah, you’ll probably need a landing net too as inland carp frequently grow over 10 pounds.
One summer morning two friends and I caught 54 carp with the largest being 15 pounds and about 26 inches. There were times all three of us had fish on standing shoulder to shoulder on a 40 inch wide pier. Talk about excitement! NO VIDEO GAME CAN COMPARE!
Fast forward to today. Within the last week Pewaukee lake has risen about 30 inches. I know this, because I was in the water last Wednesday putting in the pier. Every day the lake is rising to a new high water mark. (My parents bought their lake house in 1966 and the water has never been this high during that time.)
The Lake Country Reporter and FOX news have been in downtown Pewaukee showing the water flowing over the beach and over the road. Hey guys, the water is still rising!
My Dad and I drove down to the village today to see this once in a lifetime sight. I thought I’d take a few pictures maybe wade down the street to check it out.
When we got there, three Pewaukee public works employees with pitchforks were spearing carp and putting them in a front-end loader on West Wisconsin Ave. (The road past the lakefront that now has water over 10 inches deep in spots) I took some pictures then walked through the water toward the beach. It was only then that I realized there were hundreds of carp swimming on the street. So, I started chasing the carp toward the workers, then the four of us turned around and started herding them back toward the beach.
Yeah, yeah, little boy has to play with the fishies in the big puddle. I don’t care. It was a lot of FUN!
After about 20 minutes I noticed a police officer had pulled up to the road blocks and was talking to the people standing and watching. I thought there might be a problem with the vehicles or the pedestrians that had stopped to watch, so I left the workers and went to see if there was a problem.
As I got closer the cop came up to me and said he had never seen anything like this.
So he was taking some pictures.
See you ‘round the campfire