EJoe
09-04-2007, 17:48
Bout a year ago members of the Bowfishing Assoc of Illinois took a writer out bowfishing for silvers on the Illinois. She was doing a story for the National Wild Turkey Federations Jakes magazine. It just came out! Pretty good read. I never seen the Jakes magazines before and have to say its a real quality magazine for the kids. They should be highly commended for putting this much effort into getting kids interested in the outdoors* thumbsup.gif
Here is some of the article, I took a bunch out so if you want to read the whole thing, get in touch with the NWTF Jakes! [but I have a copy for both Mike and Jon!]......
http://i16.tinypic.com/5x5i4pe.jpg
Bowfishing for Asian Carp
by Barbara Baird
If fish are flying, it means you are omn the water somewhere in the USA witnessing the phenomena of flying asian carp.
These fish are so disturbed by the vibrations of a boats motor, that they leap several feet into the air , arc over the boat like kamikaze bombers and sometimes smack you in the face.
Bowfishermen in Illinois have accepted the challenge of reducing the menacing population explosion of asian carp. Besides, it is fun and challenging to practice archery skills while* standing on the helm of a slow boat in the dark night. Just ask Jon Person and Mike Brown, two teenagers who love to bowfish on the Illinois and Vermillion Rivers.
Jon bowfishes because his father Evan Person switched to bowfishing a few years ago. Evan used to fish for bass but found it was too much trouble to find the correct size bass to keep while fishing among so many carp. Now, the father and son team competes in carp tournaments and is always guaranteed a boatful of fish on every trip.* Mike Browns father took him fishing before Mike could even walk. Two years ago Mike and a friend went to a conservation area in Illinois , armed with a kids bow and arrow tied to a fishing pole. He says "Ever since then I was curious about it. The first time on my own was on the chain of lakes with a hand wrap reel and my Indian compound bow."
Being internet savvy, Mike found the name of avid bowfisherman and pres. of the Bowfishing Assoc. of Illinois Ed DeVries who lives outside of Chicago. He asked Ed questions about bowfishing. Eventually the two met and competed in a tournament togeather.
On a beauitiful summer evening Ed, Mike, Evan and Jon met to bowfish the Illinois river. Mike used a standard bow with a bowfishing reel on the bow handle, fiberglass arrow with line,. Jon shot a crossbow.
After a gorgeous orange and blue sunset things started to get exciting. Monster silver carp came looking for them.
Ed took the boat to a section near a bridge, " OK, prepare to enter the flying silver fish zone," he declared as he turned on the lights and slowed the boat. Up ahead things got exciting as fish swam in from seemingly nowhere and began jumping into the Persons boat.
Throughout the commotion Mike stood on the deck ever ready. Legs apart bow in hand ever searching the waters for signs of a live one, he took a few shots and missed, then he spied another silver carp and hit it. Ed helped him haul it on board.
About 10pm the guys called it a night. They had to drive back to the chicago area and clean the 20 some fish they collected.
The Persons enjoy eating Asian carp and call it their favorite fish. One of their favorite recipes is made with a mixture of ground ginger, chili powder, salt, apple cider vinegar and olive oil as a marinade. Evan said, " My wife grinds up the ginger in an old champion juicer that used to belong to my dad and mom. She buys the chili powder in packets at the asian markets." He grills the marinated carp over charcoal and said, " It is my favorite recipe."
Check out recipes, how to tips and get in touch with Ed by going to www.illinoisbowfishing.com.
Here is some of the article, I took a bunch out so if you want to read the whole thing, get in touch with the NWTF Jakes! [but I have a copy for both Mike and Jon!]......
http://i16.tinypic.com/5x5i4pe.jpg
Bowfishing for Asian Carp
by Barbara Baird
If fish are flying, it means you are omn the water somewhere in the USA witnessing the phenomena of flying asian carp.
These fish are so disturbed by the vibrations of a boats motor, that they leap several feet into the air , arc over the boat like kamikaze bombers and sometimes smack you in the face.
Bowfishermen in Illinois have accepted the challenge of reducing the menacing population explosion of asian carp. Besides, it is fun and challenging to practice archery skills while* standing on the helm of a slow boat in the dark night. Just ask Jon Person and Mike Brown, two teenagers who love to bowfish on the Illinois and Vermillion Rivers.
Jon bowfishes because his father Evan Person switched to bowfishing a few years ago. Evan used to fish for bass but found it was too much trouble to find the correct size bass to keep while fishing among so many carp. Now, the father and son team competes in carp tournaments and is always guaranteed a boatful of fish on every trip.* Mike Browns father took him fishing before Mike could even walk. Two years ago Mike and a friend went to a conservation area in Illinois , armed with a kids bow and arrow tied to a fishing pole. He says "Ever since then I was curious about it. The first time on my own was on the chain of lakes with a hand wrap reel and my Indian compound bow."
Being internet savvy, Mike found the name of avid bowfisherman and pres. of the Bowfishing Assoc. of Illinois Ed DeVries who lives outside of Chicago. He asked Ed questions about bowfishing. Eventually the two met and competed in a tournament togeather.
On a beauitiful summer evening Ed, Mike, Evan and Jon met to bowfish the Illinois river. Mike used a standard bow with a bowfishing reel on the bow handle, fiberglass arrow with line,. Jon shot a crossbow.
After a gorgeous orange and blue sunset things started to get exciting. Monster silver carp came looking for them.
Ed took the boat to a section near a bridge, " OK, prepare to enter the flying silver fish zone," he declared as he turned on the lights and slowed the boat. Up ahead things got exciting as fish swam in from seemingly nowhere and began jumping into the Persons boat.
Throughout the commotion Mike stood on the deck ever ready. Legs apart bow in hand ever searching the waters for signs of a live one, he took a few shots and missed, then he spied another silver carp and hit it. Ed helped him haul it on board.
About 10pm the guys called it a night. They had to drive back to the chicago area and clean the 20 some fish they collected.
The Persons enjoy eating Asian carp and call it their favorite fish. One of their favorite recipes is made with a mixture of ground ginger, chili powder, salt, apple cider vinegar and olive oil as a marinade. Evan said, " My wife grinds up the ginger in an old champion juicer that used to belong to my dad and mom. She buys the chili powder in packets at the asian markets." He grills the marinated carp over charcoal and said, " It is my favorite recipe."
Check out recipes, how to tips and get in touch with Ed by going to www.illinoisbowfishing.com.