French teammates take lead in three-day carp tournament

More than a dozen spectators gathered around the French team Friday afternoon as they caught carp, after carp, after carp.

Frederic Labrousse and Numa Marengo snuck up on the field Thursday night in the North Regional carp fishing tournament in Baldwinsville. They took a slim lead by 3 p.m. Friday, having landed more than 100 fish, with a total weight of more than 1,600 pounds. Their English wasn't very good, but their angling skills were awesome.

"These guys crack me up," said Jim McKenna, a volunteer for the tournament. "When they had two fish on at one time, one said, 'God bless America twice.' "

The tournament, featuring 35 teams fishing non-stop for 50 straight hours, ends at 11 a.m. this morning. The anglers are vying for $15,000 in cash and prizes.

Colin Peters and Tom Brooks, from North Carolina, were the early leaders, but the Frenchmen blew by them. But they remained optimistic with a long night ahead.

Peters, like everyone else up and down the river, said the fatigue was beginning to set in.

"This 50-straight hours of tourney thing is grueling. It's hard work. No sleep. And the fish fight like crazy," he said.

Tournament director David Moore said the total number of fish landed as of Friday afternoon was impressive. He felt 20,000 pounds (10 tons) was within reach.

"It's gotta be some kind of record," he said.

The biggest fish caught as of 5 p.m. Friday weighed 32 pounds, 6 ounces. It was landed by John and Angela Bramley, a husband and wife team from North Carolina. If no one beats it, they'll get a $1,000 cash prize.

Today's awards ceremony is set for 6 p.m. at Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville. A public party with live music is scheduled afterward.