LARYSA SWITLYK FROM USA
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Although most anglers would call me relatively new to carp fishing, I was fortunate to learn from some of the best. I dove in headfirst and have had some amazing fishing opportunities to catch me up to speed on fishing for these big beauties. In America we are known to go big or
go home. I put this quote to the test when I signed up for the World Carp Classic. I definitely didn’t know what I got myself into but I have always had a true love and passion for fishing. I have never had a problem picking up things quickly and learning how to fish for carp was just another challenge I was ready to overcome. I’m always up for a challenge.
I figured I had to get my feet wet with
Carp Fishing somehow and when Frank Warwick and Jason Cann invited me to fish with them in Romania during the 100 hour MeetCarp Awards I was quick to jump on the opportunity to learn carp fishing from some of the legends in the sport.
Even though I caught my first carp in
Romania and learned lots of tricks and techniques it still wasn’t enough to prepare me for the World Carp Classic. I’m glad I pushed myself and was proud to represent Team USA in the World Carp Classic 2012 for JRC and Berkley. They teamed me up with James Vincent from the United Kingdom. It was a little nerve-racking to meet James for the first time in Italy. I prayed we would get along, as we would be stuck fishing with each other the next 5 days!
The World Carp Classic is just over
the top with all the events and parades. Coming from the United States I had never experienced a fishing tournament of this scale but I have to say, Ross Honey knows how to do it ... and do it right!
I couldn’t have asked for a better fishing
partner. He was very patient and a great teacher. First day of the tournament, I was full of mixed emotions with a side of jet lag. I set up my tent only to have it blow over from the storm rolling through and all of my stuff got soaked. James came to the rescue and helped secure my tent. I enjoyed fishing with him because he didn’t baby me. He handed me the materials and said, “Okay make your rigs so we can get them out.” I felt like I was back in school and was just
given a project. I sat across from James tying away. He was almost done with all of his rigs when I finished my first. I held it up to show him all excited for his approval but instead got, “You tied it wrong, do it over, that’s not going to work.” I was upset because I spent all that time tying what I thought was the perfect rig only to be told I had to redo it. I was glad he didn’t take it and do it for me because learning is all about trial and error. I made many errors that tournament but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t become a better fisher.
I was so determined to put my own rods out, I took off in the boat as James stood at the bank asking, “Are you sure? The wind is starting to really pick up.” I was so stubborn I ignored his comments
and launched off. Not even 20 feet from the bank I got the line wrapped in the motor. I was clueless to how that happened but it forced me to throw the anchor down. I yelled a cry for help back at James but he said, “Can’t help you, you’re on your own, the rules state I have to stay on the bank.” Knowing that I was on my own, I quickly got busy trying to unravel the mess I had got myself into. Twenty minutes later I was back on track, but had somehow lost my anchor. Once I got out to my spot, the wind was so strong it was hard to stay in the same spot and put
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