History

B’ville Carp – Garbage or Gold?

Stop any longtime resident in the quaint canal town of Baldwinsville, mention a local carp tournament and you’re likely to hear a shocking “What! That garbage fish?”

Carp apparently have more of a local reputation as bottom feeders or river cleaners than as the main course of a gourmet meal. Whatever your opinion, the carp are alive and well in Baldwinsville.

Former Van Buren Town Historian Tony Christopher’s records indicate just how they got there. It seems that in 1890, George Rouse built a dam, created a pond, expended lots of money and effort, and began propagating fish. His young carp, smoked or salted, were deemed a delicacy by New York City folks.

He was sure to get rich, until disaster struck! An unexpected Feb. 1892 thaw put much pressure against his damn causing it to give way and ultimately carry his fish straight to the Seneca River.

Walking along the village’s Paper Mill Island, you can readily spot carp frequently jumping right out of the water. Hundreds of fish visible to the owners of the newly constructed Red Mill Inn attracted the interest of C.A.R.P. Tournament Series, formerly known as the American Carp Society (ACS). They came, they saw and they chose Baldwinsville for the site of the 2007 Northeast Regional Carp Tournament.

Carp are known as one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish. C.A.R.P. Tournament Series Director David Moore estimates that most Baldwinsville carp will easily weigh in at 20+ pounds.

Anglers from all over the world enjoy the challenge of carp fishing. Men and women from central NY as well as the rest of the world will come to enjoy this sport from May 16-19, 2007.

For Baldwinsville, there are almost as many positives about this NE Regional Tournament as there are carp. The entire event is environmentally friendly, treating this hardy fish and the environment with respect. It is essential to capture and release the carp unharmed and be ecologically responsible.

Working with the Greater Baldwinsville Economic Development Agency, the Carp Tournament Committee is preparing for an influx of spectators to this family-friendly event. Baldwinsville, with its scenic location, unique shops, variety of restaurants and entertainment will be humming. After waiting for 114 years, the carp are realizing the dream of becoming a local bonanza.

To learn more about what’s happening in Baldwinsville and the tournament, check out baldwinsvillechamber.com or the C.A.R.P. Tournament Series Northeast Regional Tournament information found at carptournamentseries.com. .