Spectators more than welcome at the WCC.

In August of last year, I was seven months into my mammoth, European carp fishing trip. I had already spent time fishing in France, Italy and Germany. Whilst fishing at Cassien, I had made the decision that I would go along to the World Carp Classic being held at Lac de Madine. There was a chance I would fish there after the event, or alternatively at Lac de la Liez; a lake not too far from Madine.I had been fishing solidly for seven months, and I was actually looking forward to ‘having a week off’! I had also been writing some material for International Carper, covering my adventures; so I had also arranged to meet the Carpworld crew at the WCC.

I left Germany on Saturday the 30th of August, with my two dogs in the back of my van. Charley and Flash are my two Dobermans, and have been my companions on my big trip. They had to come along too! Leaving my rods and tackle behind felt rather strange, instead I was armed with just a bivvy, my bedchair, some clothes and my cooking equipment. From looking at the official WCC website, and reading about the event in Carpworld, I knew spectators were allowed to camp at the event for free at ‘Bivvy City’! The distance to Madine from my German base, was a mere 350km and my navigation system led the way. Four hours later, after a couple of stops for the dogs, I pulled the van into the well signposted ‘Bivvy City’ car park. What a sight! Already one hundred bivvies filled the field, with various host nations’ flags flapping in the gentle evening breeze. It was quite amusing really, because although I was not competing at the event, I still got a real buzz as I parked the van, alongside some of the UK entries.

The competition was not starting till Monday morning, so all the competing pairs had time to complete their registration, get their boats checked and prepare their equipment. I think some were taking this more seriously than others, as there was a mixture of smells wafting in the air that evening. Bait and beer! I met a few of the friendly competitors once my dogs had made their introductions first. It was refreshing to see the English, Irish and Scottish pairs were all getting on with each other prior to the start of the match. After all, this was a civilised carp fishing competition and not a football game!

Madine itself is a beauty spot, breathtaking in every sense of the word. I walked the dogs for half an hour, along the water’s edge, before darkness fell on the first night. With them safely tucked up in their cage in the back of my van, I then put up my bivvy for sleep later on. At that moment a couple of vehicles arrived next to me. It was the Turkish contestants! This year there were more teams entering than ever before? 125 pairs were competing representing twenty six countries from around the globe.

Bivvy city went into overdrive on Saturday night, as all the competitors relaxed and partied on into the night. In the morning I went to use the onsite shower block, and I am positive there were a few sore heads being nursed under the hot water! I cooked myself some breakfast, and then decided I would go for a good walk with the dogs. It was time to go and look at some of the sections and pegs, where the anglers would be fishing from. Andy Chambers is in charge of pegging at the WCC. At this year’s event at Madine, many of the areas, not normally allowed for fishing, were now opened up for the event. This meant laborious work, clearing paths on Island, cutting back reed beds and basically making all the pegs, fishable from. Looking around the sections as I walked the perimeter of the lake, it became very evident much work had taken place prior to the event.

The day passed by very quickly. Refreshments were available for all the competitors and spectators thanks to the ‘hot dog’ stand and the Stella Artois bar. It was mildly amusing to watch, as many of the ‘hotdog’ takers did not realise, quite how powerful the Merguez sausage and mustard combination actually was…lightweights! There was a great vibe about the place, almost a party atmosphere, as anglers from all around the world caught up with old friends from previous competitions and were introduced to new comrades for the future. The contest would begin the following morning, till then all competitive thoughts were cast aside.

The draw ceremony took place in the evening. It was grand affair! Ross Honey was marking the 10th anniversary of the WCC with an opening ceremony of great proportions. Twenty six local children paraded the flags of the represented countries, before a packed out hall. Spectators are welcome to watch, and if there is available seating you can join the competitors for the sit down meal for a small ticket donation. I sat with some of the English pairs, with the Irish and Scottish pairings also seated at our table. It was a super evening, and made more amusing by Rod Bird, winding up one of the Irish lads, saying he had to curtsey, bow, and kiss both cheeks when he was introduced to the Mayor, on reaching the stage for their peg draw. Tomorrow would definitely bring out the competitive spirits, but for the rest of the evening I had the feeling, slightly different spirits would be flowing throughout the night.

I strolled on round to the Carpworld HQ after the Draw Ceremony. There I was met by a ‘Motley Crue’ of anglers, runners, drinkers, and gentlemen! Nick Helleur’s face got more crimson as the night went on, and after Mr Ford asked me to be the Carpworld Media man, I retired for the evening for a good night’s sleep. It was a funny turn of events really. I had come along to offer support as a spectator, and now I had the additional role of photographer, and interviewer.

I woke the following morning at 8am. I knew the competitors were allowed onto their pegs after 7am. It was no surprise therefore to find I was now the ‘only bivvy in bivvy city’! If you hadn’t known what was going on, you might have thought it was a wind-up. To retire for the evening in a field full of tents, to then wake up in the morning and find everyone gone! Maybe I needed to take a shower!!

I stopped off at the WCC HQ and Marianne issued me with my Carpworld Media Pass. I had a coffee and a chat with a few people in the busy office, before making my way towards the Jetfish section. My job was easy. I had my two dogs by my side, a camera in my bag, and carp anglers everywhere. Who do I photograph first? I strolled along and started to meet and chat with a few of the competitors. The anglers were all set up now. They were anxiously waiting for the 3pm start. A few rockets would signal the start of the 10th WCC. I was chatting with Mr F and Dave Lane, when the competition got underway. It was a great sight, to suddenly see a flotilla of inflatable boats take to the water. Echo sounders, GPS systems, and a plethora of markers were being used over the entire lake, as keen carpers tried to locate the best spots to catch a Madine carp from.

Apart from the islands, the whole lake is accessible to spectators. Maps can be obtained from the HQ and most are either walking distance or just a short drive. It was really great to get round to all the UK entries by the end of the second day, and see how they were all getting on. It was also good to see all the different set-ups. I don’t think one looked the same, as some anglers had trailers, some had four bivvies, some had six and some just had two! It looked like some were staying for a month, and it also looked like some were staying forever! One thing was for sure, they all wanted that trophy and cash prize, and the title of WCC champions 2008.

At this year’s event, for the first time, the WCC had its own ‘radio station’. This meant all competitors and spectators could keep up with breaking news as it happened. It was a hilarious station, with some very amusing advertisements. If I mention the following phrases, I am sure it will bring back some memories, to some of you reading this. “Boat on fire!” “What are you doing on the roof?” And: “I can’t hold it, I can’t hold it. Quickly! Do it now!” The station’s main job though, was to provide daily results of the competition. More importantly, who was in the lead? At HQ I was given a WCC media radio, complete with earphones, so I was always on the pulse as I walked the course.

As the competition unfolded and after three days, there was a stiff competition taking place on Pescalis Island. The change in weather had moved the fish into deeper water, and the big Island swims seemed to be reaping the rewards. The weather was extremely hot, before the draw for pegs took place, and shallow water seemed to be the favourable place of choice. However, as is the case with carp fishing being dictated by weather changes, the shallow areas now seemed void of the bulk of carp, after two days of howling rain and strong winds. The previously unwanted, big Island pegs now seemed the place to be.

The ‘lucky’ Irish led the way for a couple of days, before it became a close contest between an English pairing and Luxemburg. Suddenly out of the blue another English pair, after a slow start, looked like they could be competing for the lead. It was a close contest, with only kilos separating the three top pairs during the last two days. Then Truckle and Judd hit more fish and managed to extend a comfortable lead going into the last day. Would they hold on, or could Bartlett and Hewitt catch them up during the last evening.

I volunteered to let the rockets off at 9am on the morning the competition would end. I made my way down to Madine 1 and set up the pyrotechnic display (two rockets and a handheld flare)! Seconds before the stroke of nine, I lit the blue touch paper and two rockets reached for the skies. I had never let off a handheld flare before, which was an experience! With few hairs left on my hand, I drove back to the HQ. The final results of the night were still coming through. It would be a while before the final weights would be calculated and the various winners were announced. In the meantime, another military operation was underway. All the competitors needed to get off the Island swims, and back in time for the prize giving ceremony. All the entries had their own boats, but help would be needed transporting these, heavily loaded with all their equipment and the competitors across the lake. It was a slow process, and typically the wind picked up and it started to rain. Oh sorry, did I forget to say that I volunteered once again to help with this operation! After three hours I was starting to have second thoughts, but after another trip to fetch two of the Marshalls, from one of the Islands; I realised by the look on their faces that my help was very much appreciated and it made volunteering a real pleasure.

My dogs were very pleased to see me, when I returned to dry land. They had been sleeping in the back of my van, and were happy to stretch their legs a little as I set them free. Charley and Flash became rather popular at the event, and fortunately as they are well behaved and friendly, they were spoilt by everyone who met them. In return they would like to relay their thanks for all the morsels of food they found in your swims and the strokes they received, by a wag of their short tails! Dogs are more than welcome at Madine, and it is a stunning place for walking. Please remember to restrain your animal if necessary, clean up any dog waste, and make sure if you leave them in a vehicle, it is cool and ventilated, and you check on them regularly.

By the time I had returned from ferrying some of the competitors back to dry land, there was a crowd of perspiring anglers gathered outside the ceremony hall. Everyone was tired but still in great spirits. Do not forget this is an endurance competition lasting five days, and taking part in the event is worthy of a mention in itself. To most competitors, the WCC is the highlight of the carp match season, and it is more about taking part than whether or not you win. It’s just about being there. And even as a spectator and helper, I felt exactly the same way. Slowly the crowd reached bursting point, many handshakes and friendly hugs took place, and the ‘hotdog’ and beer stands did a roaring trade once more.

The doors opened to the hall, and everyone filtered in and sat down. The stage looked great with official Reuben Heaton scales hanging at the back. Every contestant would receive a set of these weighing scales, specially engraved for the event. The crowd hushed down, as the results in sealed envelopes made their way over from HQ. After some pleasant speeches, and a mention for my dogs, it was prize giving time. There was a couple of last minute, extra prizes this year, kindly given by main sponsor JRC. One pair had an unfortunate incident, involving an inflatable boat and a barbeque? It does not bear thinking about really, and the mind boggles, but JRC generously replaced the charred boat, with a brand new one, and hopefully some instructions about cooking outdoors!

The section prizes were then followed by the team results. UK Team, Carpworld One, was once again the worthy winner; thanks to the overall second placing by Bartlett and Hewitt. Each team entry has three pairs competing for the overall team prize, and just like the overall winners, it is the combined weight that scoops the prize. There were several teams taking part this year, and it was very close for third, second and first place.

Finally it came to the actual winners of the WCC 2008. In third place was Luxemburg, second place was the already mentioned English pair, Bartlett and Hewitt, and in first place by a whopping 50kg was Truckle and Judd. I did my photography duties and managed to get some good shots of all the prize winners, and the WCC was almost finished for another year.

It wasn’t long before the competitors made their long journeys home. Some had huge distances to cover. Imagine popping out for a few days angling, and then having to return across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA! The effort made by all the competitors to attend the event is very commendable. It must take months of planning, and expense and I don’t think it is fully understood just what it involves, to participate in a competition of this magnitude. It truly is a wonderful few days and I urge anyone reading this to come along and support it, if you have a few days to spare in 2009. There are plenty of nearby waters to fish, if you fancy bringing a couple of rods with you, or you can just explore the area for a planned future trip. You may even fancy fishing the venue afterwards. I know myself and the dogs had a fantastic time. We are returning this year to help out again, in between fishing the Orient, and we can’t wait.

See you at Madine at the 2009 WCC.

Jake Langley-Hobbs and his Doberman dogs!