World Carp Classic - Offical Global Website
Lake Bolsena 3rd - 9th September 2012

I am not an angler. Fishing is not one of my hobbies. It is not something that occupies a lot of my time. However I can understand its appeal. The solitude, the time for contemplation, the frustration it can engender, the sense of accomplishment and the sheer unadulterated joy at reeling in the “big one”. I get it.

In fact, on my annual pilgrimages to the Caribbean to visit my parents, I would go out in a small power boat and trail a couple of lines. Full disclosure here; as a west Indian, for me the joy of fishing is as much about eating the fish as catching it. So I am not moved by catch and release. As I said, I get it, but that aspect of fishing is not for me.

So why am I attending the 2010 World carp Classic at the picturesque Lac De Madine? More to the point, what on earth will I do for the ten days of my visit?

I am a business partner and friend of the inimitable Ross Honey, the driving force and inspiration behind the World Carp Classic Franchise. After three years of invitations and subtle hints I finally decided to clear my diary for ten days to see what Ross has been on about, and agreed to join his support team. (At least I will be busy)

I have had misgivings about attending an event around an activity, which in all honesty, is not in the top ten; scratch that, top fifty of my favourite pastimes. My journey started at noon on Thursday September 2^nd when I was fortunate enough to hitch a ride with the irrepressible Peter Hands. Peter is a fantastic guy, a man’s man, brilliant company, but more about him at another time.  I need not have worried however about the event. As a non-angler I have been unapologetically swept up in the excitement leading up to the launch of the tournament.

There is a unique but combustible combination of meticulous planning and barely controlled chaos that invariably comes together at the crucial last minute.

It is a truly international event with teams from all over Europe, South Africa and Australia. There is camaraderie, open acceptance and familial fraternity that is impossible to resist. I now have friends from Hungary, Czech, Poland – it is brilliant!

The opening ceremony was a clinically executed combination of pageantry, marketing, patriotism and hospitality. I dare anyone witnessing it for the first time to deny the thoroughly energising and motivating effect. Believe me, after that opening ceremony I was ready to catch, cuddle and release for queen and country!

But I digress, this event has managed to avoid being insular or parochial, in that the event is (as far as is possible for a Fishing competition) an embracing spectacle, and so far, thoroughly enjoyable.

William Bramble II