After two years of trying, the Pro-Amateur Carp Slam has yet to produce much of a result, despite the well-established fact that large numbers of trout reside in the South Platte River where it flows through the Denver metro area.
But the event does suggest something else considerably more important. Both in 2007, when walleye dominated the tally, and recently, when a 21-inch rainbow trout was the star of the show, the most impressive catches were not carp.
These events serve to ratify the notion by the sponsoring Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited that this urban Platte can support sport fish, at least for part of the year, and that something in the form of cleanup should be accomplished.
With several other civic entities and conservation partners, the chapter is pursuing ways to enhance river structure and water quality, a project that will be years in the making.
