By Tim Romano

For all you carp freaks out there I thought I'd give a little re-cap on the Denver Pro-Am carp slam (fly only) put on by Trout Unlimited last weekend.  It was held on the "DSP" or Dirty South Platte as we like to call it.  Fifteen teams participated. I was an amateur that paid money to enter, the pros (guides) got to participate for free.  Entry fees went to Trout Unlimited/Denver and the restoration of the Platte in metro Denver. Thousands of dollars were raised.

My pro, David Luna aka Butters was a professional guide that hails from Denver and couldn't have been a nicer guy and stellar fisherman.  Unfortunately we blanked. Not a fish landed between the two of us.  We had our chances though... By lunch only seven of the fifteen teams had landed a fish - a true testament to the utter absurdity of catching carp on a fly. By the evening all but five teams...

...had landed fish. Once again my friend and fly shop manager Rob Kolanda from Front Range Anglers here in Boulder and teammate Tyler Stewart won the whole thing, pocketing $1000. The godfather of carp Barry Reynolds and Michael Gracie took 2nd place with Matt Snider and Paul Gaeke taking 3rd.

The entire event was a class act from start to finish with great food, live music and perhaps a little to much drink.  If you'd like to see some of the teams in action check out the Wolrd Fishing Network. They covered the entire thing with their TV cameras and should have a snippet of the event up soon. 

If you live in the area I highly recommend participating as a guide or amateur next year. It was a ton of fun and raised money for a river that badly needs it.

TR

Comments (8)

from Koldkut wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

DSP, I still get a grin when I hear it called that. I am seriuosly looking into competing next year, but I need to get up there and fish it long before then to at least get an idea of what I'm up against fish wise.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Music? Food? Beer? It doesn't sound like you were shut-out to me.

Carp are a blast on the fly rod. It's a wonder that it's not more popular than it is considering the they are found in every state in big numbers.

Maybe if Orvis designs and markets a "Carp Only" rod and sell it for big bucks then it might attract fly fisherman.

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from Fat Guy Alex wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

What a riot... I am still drunk.

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from Jonathan Wright wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Nice! How did I manage to miss this? I used to fish near Florida and Mississippi in the 90's, there are some submarines in there.

I think the biggest carp in the state are down in the San Luis Valley, there is some serious focus down there -- guys with modified John boats and casting platforms....

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from Butters wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Tim It was a true pleasure fishing with you!

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from Ramcatt wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

a banner pic of a snagged fish.... for shame

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from timromano wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

looks like he tried to eat to me...

such a party pooper Ramcatt.

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from Ramcatt wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

haha

i didn't say anything about the loveglove

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from Fat Guy Alex wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

What a riot... I am still drunk.

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from Butters wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Tim It was a true pleasure fishing with you!

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

DSP, I still get a grin when I hear it called that. I am seriuosly looking into competing next year, but I need to get up there and fish it long before then to at least get an idea of what I'm up against fish wise.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Music? Food? Beer? It doesn't sound like you were shut-out to me.

Carp are a blast on the fly rod. It's a wonder that it's not more popular than it is considering the they are found in every state in big numbers.

Maybe if Orvis designs and markets a "Carp Only" rod and sell it for big bucks then it might attract fly fisherman.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jonathan Wright wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

Nice! How did I manage to miss this? I used to fish near Florida and Mississippi in the 90's, there are some submarines in there.

I think the biggest carp in the state are down in the San Luis Valley, there is some serious focus down there -- guys with modified John boats and casting platforms....

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from Ramcatt wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

a banner pic of a snagged fish.... for shame

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from timromano wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

looks like he tried to eat to me...

such a party pooper Ramcatt.

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from Ramcatt wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

haha

i didn't say anything about the loveglove

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