Smithhammer takes CarpFest Crown

Bruce Smithhammer, CarpMeister

Bruce Smitthammer, a fly fishing guide and freelance writer from Victor, Idaho, came from behind with seconds left on the fishing clock to claim the 2011 CarpFest title, convincing a tight-lipped cyprinid to take a fly on an unusually slow day for carp at Gifford Springs on the Snake River.

Smithhammer's partner, Kevin Emery, finished second–together, the team of guides who are used to chasing trout on the West's great rivers, took the team title. For his victory, Smitthammer wins a one-day guided float of the South Fork, courtesy of South Fork Outfitters. The team prize was also a one-day float of the South Fork donated by Mike Parsons and The Lodge at Palisades Creek.

Other prizes given were for Smithhammer's biggest (and only) fish, a 10-pound carp. Emery won first-fish honors and walked away with a Morningstar Lanyard. Pocatello's Bud Smalley won the "smallest fish" prize and won a RIO Products carp line.

All proceeds from CarpFest 2011 go to Trout Unlimited's Sportsmen's Conservation Project, which works to protect intact fish and game habitat all over the West. Sponors, other than those named above, included Todd Carter of Bonneville Industrial, who donated a $100 Carhartt give certificate, and Chris Hunt of TU, who donated two tenkara fly fishing trips to the second-place finishers in both the individual and team categories.

Check out some photos from this year's event:

Tournament organizer Chris Hunt didn't fish for carp, but he did catch
a nice bull snake.

Desperation set in early, as the carp refused to cooperate.

Joe Suniga of Pocatello, Idaho.

Kevin Emery and Cameron Hunt on the prowl for the elusive carp.

Changes to CarpFest format announced

The annual Trout Unlimited CarpFest planned June 4 at Gifford Springs, Idaho, will be a little different than it has been in the past. First, there will be two facets of the competition--a team event and an individual event. Entry fees will remain the same--$75 per person, or $150 per team. Entrants can compete in both competitions.

Teams of two will compete for prizes including a guided, one-day float of the South Fork of the Snake River, courtesy of South Fork Outfitters, a hosted day of backcountry tenkara fishing and a signed James Prosek limited-edition print. Individual anglers will compete for a one-day float of the South Fork hosted by Mike Parsons of The Lodge at Palisades Creek, a day of tenkara fishing and a signed Prosek print.

Other prizes include a Hardy Marksman fly reel, carp fly line donated by RIO Products and a $100 gift certificat to Carhartt, courtesy of Todd Carter.

Fishing starts Saturday morning, June 4, at 10 a.m., and all lines will be out of the water at 5 p.m. Awards will be presented at 5:30 p.m, and a barbecue will follow. Refreshments will be served--donations are appreciated.

To register for the event, fill out this form. TU will accept donations at the event.

List of Prizes Announced!

Here is the list of prizes for this year's CarpFest at Gifford Springs, Idaho:

Team Competition:

• Grand Prize (heaviest overall stringer): One-day float of the South Fork of the Snake River, courtesy of South Fork Outfitters.
• Second Place: One-day hosted (food, drinks, rod, flies, etc.) tenkara backcountry fishing, courtesy of Chris Hunt.
• Third Place: Signed James Prosek prints.

Individual Competition:

• Grand Prize (heaviest one-person stringer): One-day float of the South Fork of the Snake River, courtesy of Mike Parsons and The Lodge at Palisades Creek
• Second Place: One-day hosted tenkara backcountry fishing, courtesy of Chris Hunt
• Third Place: Signed James Prosek print.

Other prizes:

• First fish: A fly fishing lanyard, courtesy of Morningstar Lanyards.
• Biggest fish: A Hardy Bros. fly reel
• Most fish: $100 gift certificate to Carhartt, courtesy of Todd Carter.
• Smallest fish: RIO Carp Fly Line, Courtesy of RIO Products

Door prizes (your entry fee gets you three tickets) include:

• Signed copies of "Blue Lines," the latest book by Tom Reed.
• Signed copies of "Shin Deep," the latest book by Chris Hunt.
• Trout Unlimited hats.

Register for CarpFest 2011

CarpFest Post is out!

For details, send a note to Chris Hunt and you'll get a call in minutes!

CarpFest 2011

Rest easy, carp nuts... CarpFest 2011 is officially in the "planning stages," meaning I'm busy rounding up sponsors for prizes, awards, free beer and the like.

This year's event will be Saturday, June 4, on the banks of the Snake River, about 20 miles downstream from American Falls. It will be a one-day tournament (rules will be announced soon), with two-man (or woman) teams competing for prizes, like fly rods, river trips and a host of other awards and prizes. Participants are encouraged to come to the tournament site on Friday, June 3–we'll have a bonfire, beverages and, in general, a great time.

Registration for the event will be posted soon, so stay tuned!