Kicking off the New Year with Carp
by Rachel Kinsler

Every year dozens of anglers around the United States, and some International locales, gather on New Year’s Day to attempt to catch common carp. Announcing the intention to deliberately fish for carp is often reason for the suggestion of a neurological evaluation of the speaker, because really, who fishes for carp on purpose? But actually plenty of sane, well-adjusted anglers like to do battle with these strong and prolific fish. Carp fishing is a popular pastime in the United Kingdom and Europe (on par with bass fishing in the US) and is growing in popularity here at home. There are several fishing groups dedicated to carp fishing in the US and one of these is the Carp Anglers Group (CAG).

CAG holds an annual event called the First Fish Folly (FFF). The basic goal of the FFF is to catch a carp on the first day of the new year. Special prizes and recognition await anglers who catch the first carp of the new year, biggest carp, smallest carp, most weight, fish from sub-50 degree water and more. CAG members who catch a carp before 6am on Jan. 1 are entered into the FFF Hall of Fame.

But the FFF isn’t really about prizes. It is about camaraderie, the celebration of a new year of fishing potential and the shared experience of freezing your toes off with like-minded friends and family. Here is the story of my FFF experience this year.

Preparation for the FFF is deliberate and thorough if you don’t want to go home fishless or with blackened digits. Well, the probability of being skunked is fairly high, but frostbite can be avoided! Cold weather clothing for women tends to be made of lighter materials than men’s, often designed to accentuate the female form over functionality. However, I prefer staying warm over looking hot, so it was plenty of layers for me, topped off with a men’s hunting coat. The Under Armour thermals and fleece socks definitely made it a more manageable night. Fishing gear, baits, food, firewood and blankets went into the truck and I set off with my father.

left to right: Larry, Rob, Rachel, Bigbird, Rod, Vic, Phil, Rick, Vince

Several members of the Ohio CAG chapter gathered on Dec. 31 to kick off the new year in fine First Fish Folly style. The location for the event was the Great Miami River, in downtown Hamilton, Ohio. Special guest Michael a.k.a. Bigbird from Georgia was also present, ho

lding court and keeping the stories flowing. The air temperatures dipped below freezing, with single digit wind chills, while water temperatures were in the low forties. Here is the gathering of crazy frozen carpers:

Bigbird arrived on the morning of the 31st and started fishing right away. He pulled a couple of carp that morning. Various other folks showed up at staggered intervals, but my father and I didn't get there until almost 7pm. It was already dark and the blue moon was on the rise. Our arrival was greeted enthusiastically, since we were the only ones who brought firewood. A fire was started in short order and chairs were immediately circled around it. Vic had his feet so close to the flames I feared the rubber on his shoes would melt. Rick had a big bucket of hot chocolate, Rod served up sloppy joes, with coleslaw and chips, and my father brought out chili, with banana bread for dessert.

The venue was pretty friendly for the fishing (with one important exception), with a wide paved surface allowing us to back right up to the shore and fish out of our vehicles. The exception was the layer of mud present on the last several feet to the water, the remnants of high water the previous week. It was very slippery and odds were laid as to who would be the first to slide into the water.

The stories and fellowship were in full swing, but the fishing was pretty slow. Occasionally a single beep from a fishing alarm would draw someone's attention, only to follow with silence. Finally Bigbird's alarm started to bleat steadily and he hooked up with an Ohio carp. After a brief fight, the fish was brought to the net.

Unfortunately, it was before midnight and thus not yet Jan. 1, so this fish didn't count for the FFF.	But Bigbird seemed pretty excited anyway.

Not long after, another alarm wailed. This time it was Vince's hook that found a stray carp's mouth.

Here his brother Rob nets the fish. Note the giant mud slick they are standing in.
		Another pre-midnight fish, but a big smile to go with it anyway. Any fish in the dark and chill seemed like a victory.

The minutes to midnight clicked away, and everyone pulled their rods in preparation for recasting at midnight. Rick popped a bottle of champagne and poured the cheer into some disposable cups for a midnight toast. When the new year rolled over, we toasted the champagne, casted out the rods and then called loved ones to wish them a happy new year (one must have their priorities right). We then proceeded to sit around, telling more stories, feeding the fire and calling around to other crazies in the cold. The bite was slow (non-existent!) and it wasn't looking promising. We had a few visitors including Bigbird's wife, Rick's daughter and her husband (who kindly took the group photo), and several members of Rod's family (who absconded with the remains of the sloppy joes).It wasn't until nearly 2am before an alarm sounded. Once again it came from the end pegs, Vince's rod. After some calling out and fumbling around, someone dashed over to pick it up. Vince was in the process of changing his socks and couldn't get his boots on fast enough, so Rob kindly stepped in to help. Vince managed to get his boots on in time to net the fish. The net had to be pried from the ground to which had frozen.

Rob caught a fish prior to 6am on Jan. 1, in sub-50 degree water. The only thing that would make it better? If that fish was a lovely little mirror. Mirror carp are the same species as common carp. They just have a genetic anomaly that results in large, irregular and sparse scales. Mirror carp are rare in most US waters and thus quite prized among carp anglers.

The appropriate measurements were made, pictures were taken and the fish was promptly returned to the river.
	Dad and I left not long after that, pleased that we at least got to see an FFF fish caught.	After we left, Rick managed to bank a small common for his FFF fish

I had to prepare for a long drive back to Alabama (my current state of residence) and couldn’t stick around for fishing on Jan. 1 proper. But I don’t think it mattered. Even though I didn’t catch a fish, and spent the majority of my time huddled around the fire trying to stay warm, I still believe the FFF is a fine way to kick off the new year for a carp angler.

*Rachel Kinsler is an avid angler and hunter living in southeast Alabama. She is a member of the Carp Anglers Group.

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