Waddington, NY, Sep 23, 2011 — Many anglers consider carp the mucky, ugly bottom-feeders of the fish world in this country. But in Great Britain and Europe, carp are prized fighters and millions of anglers fish day and night to haul in a trophy catch. The World Carp Championship kicks off today on the St. Lawrence River near Waddington and runs through next week. Hundreds of anglers will compete from more than 20 countries. David Sommerstein spent time with a carp guide and a British angler to find out what carp fishing's all about. This story first aired in 2003.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Jun 02, 2011 — An online contest to win the distinction of "Ultimate Fishing Town USA" created quite a buzz along the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence County town of Waddington was running neck and neck with Roscoe, NY (the self-proclaimed birthplace of dry fly fishing) for weeks. But in the last day of voting yesterday, Waddington fell just short.

The World Fishing Network ran the contest and promises a $25,000 check to the winner to support local fishing. The Network says the votes are considered "unofficial" until they're reviewed for authenticity.

Waddington Chamber of Commerce president Alicia Murphy spoke with David Sommerstein this morning.  Go to full article

Ottawa, IL, Jan 19, 2010 — A big monster of a fish is at the center of a US Supreme Court case. Asian Carp are making their way up the Mississippi towards the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Michigan's Attorney General - along with New York and several other Great Lakes states - filed a lawsuit asking the Court to close a Chicago canal in order to keep the carp out. The shipping industry says the consequences would be devastating. Jennifer Guerra has a closer look at what's at stake.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, May 19, 2009 — The St. Lawrence River will reclaim its title as the "Carp Capital of the World." The stretch from Ogdensburg to Massena will host the Carp Angling World Championship in 2011. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Havana, IL, May 01, 2009 — The St. Lawrence River is one of the best places in the world to fish for carp. But few anglers would think to eat them. Out in the Midwest, there are rivers flush with a species of carp that shouldn't be there in the first place. The Asian Carp is one of the Great Lakes most aggressive and damaging invasive species, pushing out native fish. There are entrepreneurs who dream of getting rid of Asian carp by turning them into food. Shawn Allee looks at what they've cooked up and whether it could do any good.  Go to full article

Jul 09, 2008 — High prices are squeezing nearly every aspect of the North Country economy. That includes the stretch of the St. Lawrence River that's breeding tourism based on carp fishing. The 3rd Annual Specialist Tackle Carp Challenge kicks off this morning in Waddington, but with half the number of angler teams from last year. Peter Henwood is the CEO of Specialist Tackle and owns the Riverview Motel on Route 37. Carp fishing is much more popular in Europe than here in the U.S. He says high airfares and gas prices are keeping anglers away this year. Henwood told David Sommerstein tourism in general has been quieter on his stretch of the river.  Go to full article

Jul 09, 2008 — There are invasive fish swimming their way toward the Great Lakes. If they get in, they could swallow up a multi-billion dollar sport fishing industry. Mark Brush reports, officials are investing millions of dollars to keep Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes.  Go to full article

Jul 11, 2007 — Ten years ago Peter Henwood began traveling from England to the St. Lawrence River for the great carp fishing. He liked the more muscular river-bred carp so much that three years ago he bought the Riverview Hotel in Waddington and now hosts an international carp fishing competition. The 2nd annual carp marathon kicked off at 8:00 this morning, with up to $35,000 in prize money on the line. 25 two-person teams have staked out camps along the St. Lawrence River to catch as many carp as they can, until time's up at 8:00 Saturday morning. Henwood is the tournament's organizer and sponsor. Lucy Martin caught up with him late yesterday after a busy day of last-minute preparations.  Go to full article

Jun 08, 2005 — British carp fishermen Tim Paisley and Steve Briggs are lapping the competition at the World Carp Championship on the St. Lawrence River. They've hauled in more than 1000 pounds of carp, triple their next closest challengers. No one's caught the million dollar record-breaking carp yet, though. An American, Ed Gilstrap, has caught the biggest so far at 38 pounds, 14 ounces. David Sommerstein was on the shoreline earlier this week to sample the sporting and economic dimensions of carp fishing.  Go to full article

Jun 03, 2005 — Communities along the St. Lawrence River are preparing to host what organizers call "the Olympics of carp fishing". More than 120 teams from all over the world will compete. The top prize is a million dollars. As David Sommerstein reports, the World Carp Championship could be an economic boost for a part of the river that struggles to attract tourists.  Go to full article