* HOI ABC…
This year’s Redneck Fishing Tournament was quite the catch. Over the two days of the tournament, the participants netted over 3,300 of the invasive copi. All the fish together ended up weighing a whopping 20,000 pounds.
Aside from removing invasive species, the tournament also brought more good into the community. Over $6,700 was raised for veterans’ charities with the help of the local VFW chapter in Havana.
The tournament is unique from others, because fishing poles aren’t used. The fish shoot up from underwater whenever a boat goes by, and the participants try to grab the fish out of the air with nets. The first place team alone were able to catch 346 fish in just two hours. […]
Tournament founder Berry DeFord was excited to have a fun way to help with a good cause. DeFord said “We’ve educated thousands of people about the very real dangers of these fish getting in your waterways, raised money to help veterans and had a blast doing it. Can’t wait for next year.”
* Reuters…
* Taste some Copi for yourself at the Illinois State Fair. Press release…
This year, IDNR will offer free samples of a Copi dish from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. the first weekend of the fair, Aug. 12-14. Copi is the new brand name for invasive carp launched by IDNR in June.
“We invite families and children to ‘grow with us’ at Conservation World, where they can learn about everything from archery, fishing and pollinators, to mining, forestry and habitat management. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy at Conservation World,” said IDNR Director Colleen Callahan. “Families are our focus, with free activities and entertainment that will provide a great day at the fair for visitors of all ages.”
During the fair, visitors to Conservation World will be able to purchase hunting and fishing licenses, pick up state park guides, purchase collectible lapel pins, and talk to IDNR staff and conservation officers about wildlife, laws and other topics.
* John Patterson, the spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon, got some fishing in…
- Mason born - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 11:27 am:
Copious amount of Copi!
- Baloneymous - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 11:30 am:
This is cool. I won’t get to the fair to try copi at Conservation World. But I’m hoping local grocery stores can start selling it soon. I bought some frozen Swai and should have known better. It was awful. If copi really tastes better than catfish, which I love, and is firmer than cod then I’m certain I will enjoy it.
- Dotnonymous - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 11:31 am:
No?…OK…howseabout I call it “Copi”?…taste any better than carp now?
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 11:37 am:
Fantastic event taking invasive out of the water(banned punctuation) Free Copi at the Fair this weekend. it tastes great.
- Robert Montgomery - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 11:41 am:
Could’ve done without the confederate flag on one of the boats, but a worthy cause.
- Just Sayin - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 12:04 pm:
Since the old name for these invasive specices became a household name during the Quinn administration, what are the chances of our Pat eating some Copi in the near future?
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 12:35 pm:
wonder if such a fish jump catch could be organized up north, Chicago media market. would get coverage, participation, Sun Times column outdoors column certainly. and take these tasty but invasive fish out of the water.
- Sir Reel - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 1:22 pm:
Good idea, good cause, good fun. But 3,300 fish/20,000 pounds is a drop in the bucket. I hope these invasive can be prevented from entering the Great Lakes, the Midwest’s most precious jewels.
- Back to the Future - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 1:27 pm:
As a former Governor said”If you can’t beat “em- - eat”em.
- The Real Downstate - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 1:30 pm:
I’ve had copi and it’s honestly delicious
- Streator Curmudgeon - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 1:51 pm:
Good job. Nobody on either side can carp about this.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 3:13 pm:
Frying flying fish
- JS Mill - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
Awesome. It isn’t actually too bad if it is prepared correctly..
- Just Sayin - Friday, Aug 12, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
Is Copi being sold in grocery stores and supercenters yet? If it gets sold at County Market I might see if my wife and I could give it a try.