First Annual Lake Henshaw Carp Throw Down a Success!

John Hendrickson—flanked by Al Quattrocchi (left) and Conway Bowman—received an Orvis Helios 6-weight for catching the largest fish. photo by Michelle Bowman

Early this month, we posted about the first annual Lake Henshaw Carp on the Fly Warm Water Throw Down, which took place last Saturday on Lake Henshaw, northeast of San Diego.

Twenty-two anglers took part, in boating and wading divisions, and the competition was fierce. Team Inbred Quagga Mussels, John Hendrickson and Dustin Sergent, took the top prize, while the winner of the wading division was David Wratchford, Fishing Manager of Orvis Pasadena.

David also received the most fish award across both boating and wading divisions, missing the overall big-fish award and a clean sweep by a mere 1/2 inch! His five scored fish had a total length of 110 inches with 12 fish landed overall. These scores were the best of the tournament (both wading and boat divisions). According to David, the two hot flies were a top-secret algae fly (tied by Scottsdale Fishing Manager Cinda Howard) and a foam hopper.

Orvis Pasadena Fishing Manager David Wratchford took the prize for the most fish, with 12 measured carp. photo by Michelle Bowman

Team Inbred Quagga Mussels, John Hendrickson and Dustin Sergent, won the boating division. photo by Michelle Bowman

The Carp Throw Down Gang Kneeling (left to right): Dustin Sergent, Bernard Yin, Al Quattrocchi, John Dietsch. Standing: Kirk Deeter, Randy Skidgel, Roy Fukushima, Chuck Griffin, John Hendrickson, Conway and Max Bowman, Dave Wratchford, Steve Piper, Richard Cullip, Tim Hunt, Mike O’Dell, Ken Kaufmann, Zino Nakasuji, Mike Ward, Bryan Ida, Bob Day, Dylan Moore. Not shown: John Whitaker, Rick Olson, Victor Carrasquilo, Joe Margiotta . photo by Michelle Bowman

Throw Down anglers launch on a sunny morning on Lake Henshaw. photo by Al Quattrocchi

A carp in hand scores points. photo by Al Quattrocchi

Measuring a fish on the official Carp Throw Down ruler. photo by Al Quattrocchi

All fish were released, of course. photo by Al Quattrocchi

Orvis’s David Wratchford also won the wading division. photo by Michelle Bowman