freshwaterphi (CA)

 As mentioned in the May 30 report, we decided to go out again for another half day trip. Due to the high wind and rain advisory, we decided to fish for carp in the St Lawrence river in Ontario instead. Although the forecast called for a good chance of light rain, the sun started coming out as soon as we arrived. My previous day's assessment of the dam being closed was correct, as this spot is on the other side of the dam and the water was extremely high. As the day progressed, the weather really warmed up, we must have reached over 30 degrees with the humidex. The carp fishing started to heat up as expected, we must have seen over 100 carp jump, sometimes 2 and even 3 at a time. Jimmy landed the first carp of the day, a nice female in the 14 Lb range. What happened next was one for the books. I hook into what seemed to be a huge carp from the way it was fighting and running. Once I brought it in I was quite surprised to see that it was under 12 lbs. We didn't have the net with us, so I volunteered to grab it by the gills near shore. As I was about to grab it, the hook popped out, the carp just remained sitting there as it was quite exhausted. I had to get my feet in the water to grab it quickly even though I was wearing boots. As I grabbed it, it took off for a few feet then paused. I dived for it fully clothed, managing to grab it by the gills and tail at once, with only my head above water. Jimmy almost died of laughter, but at least I had my fish. I really wish I had the camcorder for this one, probably could have won on the "Funniest home videos" show. Jimmy ended up landing 2 more 20 Lb males, which I "gilled&quo t; now that I was in my boxers in the heat, the water was a lot warmer than I expected. I also caught my first rock bass of the season, and welcome change from those invading round gobies.