World Carp Classic 2013
From the small lakes and ponds of Bavaria Germany to the great open waters of Lake Bolsena in Italy. That is the journey two former U.S Army Soldiers are undertaking as they make preparations to compete in the upcoming World Carp Classic this fall in Italy. The year 2013 celebrates the 15th anniversary of the event which draws the top carp anglers from all over the world. The event is viewed as the top competition within Europe drawing international teams from across the globe.
Brad and Chris will be representing the USA with sponsorship from Ammala Sports and Carping Essentials. Brad Smudzinski is the European Director of Ammala Sports. A retired US Infantry soldier is European Director at Ammala Sports has angled for over 30 years. He is a certified fishing instructor and warden for the US Army Installation Fishing Program in Grafenwoehr Germany. Brad enjoys both carp and Predator fishing and has been featured in both European and US press. He spends an average of over 200 days a year at on the water and takes great joy in guiding other anglers to their “dream fish”.
Chris Tuers is a Pro Staff for Ammala Sports. Chris is a U.S Army veteran of 9 years active duty. He has been fishing since childhood for many species of fish to include; carp, pike, catfish and bass. As an all-around angler Chris loves the sport and enjoys many days on the water yearly with great success. Chris has great knowledge of care for fish and respects everything about fishing. Chris is also a guide in Grafenwoehr Germany and takes passionate anglers on trips for their fish of a lifetime.
Ammala Sports, a US company based in Bamberg Germany has the mission of bringing US sporting traditions and products to European enthusiasts and enlightening US sportsman to European culture and outdoor adventures. Ammala, just breaking into the carp scene sought out an established company with the experience, contacts, and tackle to make the World Carp Classic event successful. The search led to Carping Essentials. Carping Essentials is a brand which gives the angler a high grade product for more reasonable prices, affordable for every angler so to speak: “from the kid on the block, who wants to catch that one big fish in the pond”, to “the pro who competes at the World Carp Classic”! So is the mission statement of the firm with its headquarters in the Netherlands. Brad and Chris not only want to perform well at the competition proudly representing the USA, Ammala Sports and Carping Essentials but they also want to help shape opinions about American anglers. They are all too aware that as ambassadors of the US they will have a lot of eyes on them.
The US does not have the reputation as being a bastion of carp fishing excellence. Quite to the contrary, many Europeans know only of the negative scenes where carp are viewed as pests and are killed without thought or purpose, even hunted with bows as sport. Catch and release is not the norm in carp fishing as it is in other sectors of American angling such as bass, musky, and pike fishing. Chris goes on to say, “We want to show the rest of the world that there are Americans who treasure their time on the water and the pursuit of carp and who know how to respect both the environment and the fish. Carp fishing is a way of life for us and we want to bring more Americans onto the scene, show them how exciting carp fishing can be, how beautiful the time on the water is, and change people’s hearts and minds when it comes to this majestic species”.
Brad reports that the team will meet in July for a test session on Lake Bolsena. The other Carping Essential team anglers from Holland, Belgium, Great Brittan, Hungary, and the US boys will meet on the water and lay the plans for a successful tournament in the fall. Carping Essentials will be providing the top notch gear which will be used in the competition. Brad says, “This gear is perfectly suited for our teams on the big water we will be squaring off against in Italy. We are really excited to have found a partner with such a wide range of equipment which is both highly functional and affordable for the hobby angler”.
Team Ammala Carp will participate in several smaller competitions in the run up to the fall and will be testing both equipment and baits hoping to gain valuable data to bring with them to Italy. Team Ammala, with active teams in the carp, predator, bass, and hunting arenas is looking forward to a busy season with much time spent out on the water and in the fields. “This time spent out in the elements will translate to better gear and experiences for our customers”, says Al Louangketh, Chief Director of Ammala Sports.