Despite chilly weather and a relatively strong NE wind, all ten participating anglers captured fish and experienced some impressive results at the Turkey Trot Carp Tournament held in Joliet on November 20, 2010.
A record for this annual event, 117 carp weighing 882 pounds were captured and released during the eight hour tourney that spanned the entire "stretch" of the DesPlaines River along Bicentennial Park. The 2010 final results showed over three times as many pounds weighed and over three times as many fish netted as compared to 2009 totals. The extended venue allowed each angler to catch at least five fish, and, in most cases, substantially more. Of course, the downside is that there was no central weighing station and a little less opportunity for social interaction. I would guess, though, that anglers, at this event, would prefer to have the chance to catch more fish by keeping some distance between pegs.
Tournament champion Paul Wells, fishing from peg 1, 
caught 24 carp and easily outdistanced the field with a total weight of 221 pounds, seven ounces. Paul also won the tournament in 2007 and placed 3rd in 2008.
With 155 pounds, six ounces, Mike Olinger took home the second place medal and related purse. Mike captured 23 fish out of peg 5. He won the tournament in 2008, placed 2nd in 2007, and placed 3rd in 2009, making him the only angler to have placed in all four November tournaments on the DesPlaines in Joliet.
Cory Bohmann made it three carpers with weights of over 100 pounds as his total of 103-4 and 14 fish from peg 3 won third place honors.
The highlight of the day was Tracy Jourdan's achievement of easily taking the Big Fish pot with an outstanding 28 pounder from peg 2 (see photo below). Illinois carp fishing historians cannot recall a bigger fish coming from these waters.
Thanks to all who participated in the November 20 event: (1) Cory Bohmann, (2) Mike Diets, (3) Jim Rink, (4) Larry Hemmens, (5) Dennis Davis, (6) Teo Chankov, (7) Tracy Jourdan, (8) Mike Olinger, (9) Paul Wells, (10) Frank Rink. --Dr. Frank Rink, Tournament Organizer
Tracy Jourdan's impressive 28 pounder!
| 2010 Turkey Trot Carp Tournament Statistics | ||
| Total Weight Top Five (5) Anglers 221-7 -Paul Wells 155-6 - Mike Olinger 103-4 - Cory Bohmann 75-3 - Tracy Jourdan 73-5 - Mike Dietz |
Number Caught Top Five (5) Anglers 24 - Paul Wells 23 - Mike Olinger 14 - Cory Bohman 10 - Mike Dietz 10 - Larry Hemmens |
Biggest Fish Top Five (5) Anglers 28-0 - Tracy Jourdan 15-12 - Paul Wells 15-7 - Jim Rink 15-0 - Mike Dietz 15-0 - Frank Rink |
| Average Weight Top Five (5) Anglers 9-14 -Teo Chankov 9-6 - Tracy Jourdan 9-3 - Paul Wells 7-9 - Jim Rink 7-9 - Larry Hemmens |
Smallest Fish Top Five (5) Anglers 0-8 - Larry Hemmens 0-12 -Frank Rink 0-14 - Larry Hemmens 1-0 - Dennis Davis 1-2 - Frank Rink |
Tournament as a whole 882 lbs., 10 oz. - Total Weight 117 - Number of Fish Caught 7 lb., 9 oz. - Average Weight 11.7 -Average number of fish caught per angler |
A few more photos from the event!
 Teo Chankov caught a pair of these 14+ pounders |
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 One of 23 for Mike Olinger |
 Larry Hemmens with a fighter from peg 8 |
 Another kissable carp for Cory Bohmann |
 A fat 15-7 for Jim Rink from a tough peg |
 Dennis Davis prepares for a run at peg 7 |
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 Mike Dietz and Cory Bohmann with a double |
 Carp anglers always have lots of gear and tackle |
 Not many of these from peg 6A |
 Even the "Demon" catches small ones once in awhile |
 Slam dunk for Olinger with an assist from Chankov |
 Dennis Davis reeling one in |
 Sunrise on the DesPlaines |
 To the victors! |
 The victors: (l to r) Tracy Jourdan (Big Fish), Cory Bohmann (3rd), Mike Olinger (2nd), Paul Wells (1st) |
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Click here for results from the 2009 MCAA Thanksgiving Challenge.
