Jumping Carp Contest in Bath

Bath, IL – Saturday's "Redneck Fishing Contest" in Bath will be an attempt to reduce the number of Asian Carp in that stretch of the Illinois River. Organizer Betty DeFord says the carp jump out of the water when a boat passes, sometimes injuring fishermen. No rods or reels will be allowed. Contestants must catch the carp in a dip net, and they're forbidden from releasing any back into the river. The winner will be whoever catches the greatest nubmer. The afternoon contest follows a regular fishing contest Saturday morning. Ford says she understands there's a market for the Asian Carp in Cairo, IL, but most people around Bath use them to fertilize gardens.