MCAA wishes to thank the 16 competitors who traveled to Ottawa, IL on July 31st to participate in the 2nd Annual MCAA Illinois River Challenge™. Most photos from the event are not available due to camera issues, but here is a capsulized rundown of the results from the tournament:

129 commons and grassies were weighed in for a total of 726 pounds, 9 ounces. 112 were commons, 17 were grassies.

There were 16 participants; 14 weighed in carp.

Total weight division
(top half of participants who weighed fish are listed below):
1st - Paul Scott (won 48% of entry fees ($154) with 166 pounds, 7 ounces)
2nd - Mike Olinger (won 24% of entry fees ($77) with 156 pounds, 7 ounces)
3rd - Larry Hemmens (won 8% of entry fees ($26) with 101 pounds, 10 ounces)
4th - Frank Rink (about 77 pounds)
5th - Fred Rhodes (about 65 pounds)
6th - Paul Wells (about 49 pounds)
7th - Jim Rink (about 33 pounds)

1st to catch a carp - Frank Rink - a 4 pound, 3 ounce grass carp at 7:04 a.m. (won 10% of entry fees ($32))

This little grassie tripped the bite alarm almost as soon as the bait hit the water!

1st to weigh 50 pounds - Paul Scott at 10:20 a.m. (won 10% of entry fees ($32))

Big Fish Side Pot Winner - Larry Hemmens (14 pound, 6 ounce common - $140)

Big Buffalo Side Pot Winner - Fred Rhodes (6 pounds - $100)

This isn't Fred's Buffalo, but it is a 12+ grass carp he captured!

Big Buffalo 2nd Place Side Pot - Paul Wells (4 pounds, 12 ounces - $40)

Bass Pro Shop $50 Gift Cards Winners - Jim Rink and Paul Scott.

Hats for the three total weight winners were donated by Pat Mills of Bankfisher.com

Medals for the winners and Bass Pro Gift Cards (two $50 cards) were donated by the MCAA.

Three new MCAA members signed up.

Two members who participated in the event caught PB grass carp; one new member who fished after the tournament also caught a pb grassie.

Thanks, again, to all who came out to play. MCAA's Summer Series continues through Labor Day, and its Annual Thanksgiving Challenge is scheduled for late November. Also be watching for some new categories in MCAA's Winter Series (Total weight, top four, big fish divisions).

MCAA Founder Sam Snow with an 11+ grassie that held the big fish lead for a while!

Larry Seeman with one of 17 grass carp caught during the day!

Fred Rhodes with one of 112 commons caught and about 10 pounds of the 726 lbs. caught!