So…the update is a little late this week, but that’s not due to the carp attack. It’s because my little sister, my 3 year old nephew and my two year old niece are visiting. Yes, I said carp attack.
To get ready for my first night tournament, I practiced shooting in the back yard last week (I can only wonder what my neighbors think). I stood on the back deck, on top of the bench, and spent hours shooting at an empty plastic strawberry carton. I drew and fired until I could put the stinking arrow where I wanted it to go with some consistency. I didn’t get perfect consistency, but now I’m confident I could at least hit a Smart Car every single time!
Saturday night’s tournament was hosted by the UBA with three satellite locations: a launch in Logan, a launch in Willard and a launch in Provo. It was $5 per person to enter, team size was only limited by how many can fit on your boat, and the team with the most fish wins. Prizes were split 50/30/20 among the top three teams. (check www.UtahBowfishing.com for results)
It was just me, Josh and six bazillion bugs on our boat. Or maybe it was six gazillion (I always forget which is greater). Seriously, there were so many bugs it looked like a whiteout snowstorm when the LED lights were turned on. It was impossible to breathe in without sucking in a few – I found bugs in my ears, nose, under my eye lids and even flossed a few out of my teeth. At least I don’t have to worry about getting enough protein this week.
Once the sun finally set, and the bugs cleared a bit, we trolled along the edges of Willard Spur searching for glowing golden orbs under the water. I saw a plethora of Shad and almost as many Wipers before I finally saw my first ugly. Josh had picked up his bow, fired and was reeling the darn thing in before I registered, “That’s one!”
Ok, gonna have to work on that.
It took a few more sightings before I managed to get a shot fired off. Naturally, I didn’t hit anything but duckweed, but at least I was doing more than standing there. I missed a few more before I stuck a fish. Yeeee-esssss!! I started reeling furiously and pulled my arrow right out of the carp. Dammit! I was bummed I didn’t get to put anything in the bucket, but not as pumped as I was to hit something.
A few misses later, a fish snuck by Josh and came along my side of the boat. I drew and spun backwards trying to keep the carp in sight, stay on the boat and remember to keep my limbs out of the way of the bow. I fired and by some stroke of pure luck hit the nasty sucker. Ohmanohmanohman!! I started reeling furiously when Josh shouted, “Don’t fight it Bran!”.
But it was too late. Moby Carp was pissed and coming right at me! I gaped in awe as he torpedoed directly into the side of the boat. And I sat there in stunned silence as Josh pulled up my broken arrow with no fish. WTF? What just happened?! I’ve never heard of a carp attacking, much less blowing up an arrow AND getting away!
Am I cursed or was this the same fish that made an attempt on my life at the Utah State Tournament? Either way, I’m starting to take this personally. Carp 2, Bran 0. At least I have a chance to even the score at Deer Creek Saturday.
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To get ready for my first night tournament, I practiced shooting in the back yard last week (I can only wonder what my neighbors think). I stood on the back deck, on top of the bench, and spent hours shooting at an empty plastic strawberry carton. I drew and fired until I could put the stinking arrow where I wanted it to go with some consistency. I didn’t get perfect consistency, but now I’m confident I could at least hit a Smart Car every single time!
Saturday night’s tournament was hosted by the UBA with three satellite locations: a launch in Logan, a launch in Willard and a launch in Provo. It was $5 per person to enter, team size was only limited by how many can fit on your boat, and the team with the most fish wins. Prizes were split 50/30/20 among the top three teams. (check www.UtahBowfishing.com for results)
It was just me, Josh and six bazillion bugs on our boat. Or maybe it was six gazillion (I always forget which is greater). Seriously, there were so many bugs it looked like a whiteout snowstorm when the LED lights were turned on. It was impossible to breathe in without sucking in a few – I found bugs in my ears, nose, under my eye lids and even flossed a few out of my teeth. At least I don’t have to worry about getting enough protein this week.
Once the sun finally set, and the bugs cleared a bit, we trolled along the edges of Willard Spur searching for glowing golden orbs under the water. I saw a plethora of Shad and almost as many Wipers before I finally saw my first ugly. Josh had picked up his bow, fired and was reeling the darn thing in before I registered, “That’s one!”
Ok, gonna have to work on that.
It took a few more sightings before I managed to get a shot fired off. Naturally, I didn’t hit anything but duckweed, but at least I was doing more than standing there. I missed a few more before I stuck a fish. Yeeee-esssss!! I started reeling furiously and pulled my arrow right out of the carp. Dammit! I was bummed I didn’t get to put anything in the bucket, but not as pumped as I was to hit something.
A few misses later, a fish snuck by Josh and came along my side of the boat. I drew and spun backwards trying to keep the carp in sight, stay on the boat and remember to keep my limbs out of the way of the bow. I fired and by some stroke of pure luck hit the nasty sucker. Ohmanohmanohman!! I started reeling furiously when Josh shouted, “Don’t fight it Bran!”.
But it was too late. Moby Carp was pissed and coming right at me! I gaped in awe as he torpedoed directly into the side of the boat. And I sat there in stunned silence as Josh pulled up my broken arrow with no fish. WTF? What just happened?! I’ve never heard of a carp attacking, much less blowing up an arrow AND getting away!
Am I cursed or was this the same fish that made an attempt on my life at the Utah State Tournament? Either way, I’m starting to take this personally. Carp 2, Bran 0. At least I have a chance to even the score at Deer Creek Saturday.
