Well we got it, its a done deal! (I think) they just voted to approve the hunting and fishing regs minus the phesnet and bowfishing catfish think those got nixed...unless I heard wrong? woohoo "I think"

Thanks to everyone that went to the meetings, sent e-mails and worked with TPWD to help promote carp angling.

everyone did a great job at the meeting today! Scott (Brewboy) did a amazing job! well done guys!

Way to go!!!

Congrats to everyone for your efforts!

It is now time to celebrate!

CONFIRMED!!

I was shaking the whole time I was talking, and if you were listening in, that was me coughing the whole time...lol

Proud moment for us all.

Chad

yeah everyone did a great job!

It is going to be a long wait for September.

Still, this is awesome.

Sincere congratulations to everyone involved! There was a lot of time and effort put into this by a large number of LSCB'ers and CAG people. You should all be very proud of yourselves. Great job, savor the victory! Well done.

sweet!!

We owe all the people who took the time out of their schedules to attend these meetings and do all of the research and preparation a HUGE amount of gratitude. Not just for getting a proposal passed, but for helping to show what we all love to do so much in a positive manner.

Thanks everyone. Your love of and dedication to the sport of angling is an inspiration to a lot of us.

Quality Job Guy's

I personally can't thank you guys enough for what you have done for our fish!!
I feel very grateful to say the least.... well done!

Great job!!

Fantastic!

Major thanks to Neil for helping forge ties with the TPWD. In addition to CAG, big props to ACS. The TCC payouts really brought a ton of positive media attention to this resource. The efforts of the LoneStarCarpBrigade cannot be underestimated. The TPWD definitely noticed all of the pro carp and roughfish activity on the Texas Fishing Forum. And thanks to each and every one who has ever participated in an ATC or other carp event on Lady Bird (Town) Lake. The Dept certianly took note of a water capable of drawing people from around the USA and around the world to Austin. Thanks to Mukhtar Farooqi of the TPWD for approaching our beloved sport with and open mind and then helping us better communicate with the TPWD. Thanks also to Phil Durocher, Head of Inland Fisheries for working to see this proposal put forward.

P.S. Thanks to all the people that attended and spoke up at the TPWD public hearings to voice their support for this proposal.

P.P.S. Thanks to any and all who have been left off and who contributed to seeing this day become a reality.

good deal



Does that mean they didn't extend the bowfishing for catfish?

correct

Damn Brain, that sounded like an acceptance speech at the "Carpies" I'd like to thank my sponsor, and my mom for always believing in me, and eating all my catches. And of course to you all! My fans.. you know, that family of carp groupies from OK that wears our Tshirts lol!

We've come a long ways. I'd say this calls for a group Pint Night! Let's get together and drink some beers, hehe.

In fact, I think i may pop a cork now!

Great Divide Hercules Double IPA is my choice tonight.

Bottoms up!

Good call Mark!

And a fantastic beer it is, El Guahpo!

Great news.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all of those who took time to attend the meetings and speak out in our behalf.
Thanks

One of the things I'm most pleased about it the way this was accomplished. A few years back, the bow guys complained that we had been talking with the Austin City Council. They complained, "Only TPWD should be making fish and game related regulations..."
The also played the ANTI card saying it was wrong for one sporting group to "attack" another. That was never the case. Seeking protection for trophy fish is a far cry from "attacking" another's sport. Clearly, we have differences of opinion regarding selective harvest, waste, etc. But voicing such disagreements falls far short of saying any group is trying to ban another's sport.

Well, 2008 is here. We have been fortunate to work with the TPWD to see this trophy carp protection measure enacted. It says absolutely nothing about any particular harvest method and it focuses, as it should, on the value of carp as a resource.

Nonetheless, some are viewing this as an "attack." I suppose I can see why. Despite the fact that every situation is different and every water is unique, there are some who have a vested interest in perpetuating the perception of carp as trash or vermin. In some small way, this trophy fish protection measure calls attention to the value of carp as a sportfish. It is this "attack" on the idea of carp as trash which is driving rhetoric against the proposal.

I would encourage everyone to avoid getting back into the "us vs them" pit. Keep right on promoting the fun of carp fishing and the value of this ubiquitous species. As the sport continues to grow, the only thing under attack is the flawed perception that carp are something less than an enjoyable fish to catch.

You guys say this does not affect bowfishing, right?

You also admit Lady Bird Lake is already one of the best lakes ever for trophy carp, right?

So why the big celebration?

Is it because you beat the bowfishermen at something or because you see this as a "first step"?

Can't speak for everybody, but I'm celebrating because the largest carp in the lake have at least some slight protection from being removed on a large scale basis. I'm also celebrating because in this particular lake the carp are being recognized for what they are - a valuable fishery resource.

Ditto