The old adage: "One man's treasure is another man's trash" has many north country connotations. But none can compare to the recent trash-to-treasure story associated with our region's newly-found carp fisheries.

Commonly referred to as a north country pest with many bow-fishing tournaments designed to eradicate the species from our waters, the St. Lawrence River carp is fast becoming a world-class game fish due to their sheer number and trophy size. Recently, a handful of area fishing guides are concentrating their angling activities toward this species.

One such local angling operation is owned and operated by Jerry and Marcy Laramay, Louisville. According to Jerry, American Carp Adventures, was born out of a need to supply guide service for a highly entertaining, high-action sport.

"The European clientele find this a phenomenal area and I think we can promote tourism here, ten-fold, by offering sport-fishing opportunities for carp for anglers world- wide," he said.

The Louisville couple operates their business from their Lakeview Motel adjacent to the scenic St. Lawrence River along Route 131.

"Marcy tends to angler accommodations as well as providing shore lunches and full-scale dinners when clients get off the river in the evening, while I concentrate on the fishing side of the business," Laramay said.
 

Laramay claims Northern New York holds the biggest free-ranging carp in the world.

"We have a natural resource here of 30- to 40-pound carp and the majority of these fish have never been pressured by anglers," he said.

Ian Whitwell, of East Bourne, England, has fished American Carp Adventures, and explained the big draw for carp anglers to the St. Lawrence River.

"Back at home we can sit out on an English lake for 24 hours and catch two or three fish. But, when you fish the St. Lawrence, anglers commonly land over 15-plus fish a day."

But, putting the fish aside for a second, Whitwell loves the fact that the river and his fishing swims are not crowded. Back in England, Whitwell said, popular carp lakes can produce one angler every 10 yards. The expansive St. Lawrence, however, offers spacious angling.

"It's freedom. It's total freedom," Whitwell said.

Europeans have long considered carp as their number one sought after game fish. In fact, European anglers think nothing of spending $1,400 a year to be a member of a carp-fishing club.

Overseas, carp anglers are a serious, dedicated and ethical lot. Their fishing gear and angling approach rivals that of any technical angling approach.

"In England, we tend to be a bit more intense and meticulous about the sport," Whitwell said.

However, Whitwell likes the laid-back approach over here.

"In England, it's a bit more hectic and competitive and so it's an enjoyable vacation not worrying about how many 20's- or 30-pound fish you catch in a day," he said.

Taking a proactive lead on this potential tourism gold mine, Karen St. Hilaire, the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director, said sport fishing for carp probably has the biggest potential of all the activities the county has to offer.

"Until six months ago, I had no idea carp fishing had such a major interest world-wide," she said. "Here in St. Lawrence County, we've always considered them to be the garbage fish and to see that people are willing to pay significant amount of dollars to get here to have that experience, then, I think this is a whole new industry we need to develop."

St. Hilaire has been busy talking to fishing promoters and area fishing guides about how St. Lawrence County could run a world-class fishing tournament. Anglers, guides and promoters agree that a world champion carp fishing tournament will draw several two-man teams from countries around the globe.

"We could have several hundred people come to a major event like that, which would, of course, bring huge publicity with it, and I think give recognition to this river that it richly deserves for carp fishing," she said.

Last month St. Hilaire spent a week with a film crew from the BBC. The focus of their trip was to film a documentary on carp fishing and other fresh water angling opportunities in the county. It is scheduled to be aired in the spring on the Discovery Channel.

In general, a carp weighing 25- plus pounds is a decent fish. A 40- pound fish is considered a trophy fish. The British line-class record is 59 pounds.

Working with fishing operations around the world as consultants, Andy Shattock, director of Ultimate Angling in Colchester, England, said many guides know how to conduct the fishing side of the business, but may not know how to do marketing, bookings or other agency services. Shattock is currently assisting Jerry and Marcy Laramay with their fishing venue.
 

"With our operations, one of the things we offer is an extensive Web site (www.ultimateangling.com), which includes professionally designed video footage and photo galleries that completes a total marketing package," Shattock said.

Ultimate Angling also promotes Laramay's business by attending major fishing shows, and talking up American Carp Adventures in magazines and with fishing tackle retailers.

According to Shattock, American Carp Adventures is an easy sell.

"You've got an incredibly good guide," Shattock said. "His enthusiasm for fishing and for helping people is so good. And, they have such good accommodations.

Shattock said the Louisville guide service offers the total package by offering a tailored fishing package to both young angler and the highly skilled angler.

"Jerry has the whole range, where some outfitters can manage one end of the market, but not the full range," he said.

Outdoor Briefs

Duck Boat Show and Sportsmen's Festival

The Thousand Islands Sportsmen will hold their third annual Duck Boat Show and Sportsmen's Festival from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sept. 23, at the club range on County Route 111, Redwood A number of events scheduled to take place are as follows: Lucky Plate Turkey Shoot, Hunter Turkey Shoot, 3-D Archery Deer Shoot, Youth Shoot, Duck Boat, Free Sporting Clays, Running Deer Shoot, Tree Stand Shoot, and Waterfowlers Clays.

There is no admission charge. For more information, call Andy Stewart at 482-3944.

Thank You,
Wendy Sharpe