Young "Potter" Actor To Host Carp Tournament

Kids are lining up - as young British, Canadian and American anglers prepare for the first St . Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament and a chance to see young British film star Tom Felton ("Harry Potter," "Anna and the King," "The Borrowers.") The tournament was born out of a conversation with Mr. Felton and his brother Chris, who last year visited the St. Lawrence River near Waddington and caught over a ton and a half of carp.

During a conversation with Karen St. Hilaire, director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the Feltons remarked that there were plenty of carp tournaments for adults but few for young people. Ms. St. Hilaire agreed to host the first such event if the Feltons would come back to co-host it.As a result, up to 300 youths ages 11 through 18 will compete for $17,500 in prizes on Aug. 22 and 23, along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. First prize will be $10,000 and second $5,000. There will be 25 additional prizes of $100 each.

Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, has agreed to visit each of the ponds where the youths will be fishing and to attend evening events on both days.

Carp World and Crafty Carper, well-known carp angling magazines in Europe, will be sponsoring two youths and their parents or guardians for an all-inclusive trip and entry to the tournament.

St. Lawrence fishing guides and sponsors Joe Babbitt (St. Lawrence Experience) and Jerry Laramay (American Carp Adventures) are working with the Chamber of Commerce and Carp Anglers Group to work out the details and design a one-day school on Aug. 21 so that those who would like to know more about how to catch carp can hear from the experts.

At the school adults and youths can learn about tying knots, baits that catch the big one, how to cast, and how to land the winner.

For details and online registration, visit www.northcountryguide.com and click on the carp swimming across the page.

The fee for the school is $40 for youths - there is an adult registration - and the tournament fee is $160 for 11- to 18-year- olds. Major credit cards are accepted. The Web site includes an 800 number for Travel Unlimited of Canton for lodging and travel arrangements.

The Official Tom Felton Website