Whispering Waters

by

Adam Zahrt

My name is Adam Zahrt, my passion is educating about the ethical use of our great outdoors and natural resources. Especially on my YouTube channel “NorthMan Fishing.” My vision had for many years been to be the next great agriculturist of our time, and my grades matched the mission. However, the waters surrounded me, and whispered my name as I would pass by them in my daily endeavors.

After all, I had been a hobbyist fisherman nearly since my inception. The call of the whispering waters intensified, and life became more than soil science and agriculture, life was a combination of fresh air, warm earth, and WILD WATER!

The grades continued to come and so did the fish. Year after year my passion intensified and so did my yearning for knowledge. Spending time with my nose in more than one book at a time was what would soon be experienced. I was becoming an expert in agriculture and angling simultaneously, a thought that would have never come across my mind just a few years prior.

I work every day to change the world through angling and the great outdoors! Recently I have begun filming in 4K and working with a professional editor and photographer (my brother, Anthony Gesick) to create angling content to cultivate ethical angling world-wide. We have also begun working with the Raptor Education Group Inc. to promote the outdoors and rehabilitate the anglers’ image. Raptors at this facility are in intensive care due to angler related injuries caused by things such as discarded fishing line dismembering wings, and ingested lead causing lead poisoning.

All of these missions and adventures take place in the great state of Wisconsin where cheese, milk and beer flow like our powerful and plentiful waters. These ancient waters include some 15,000 lakes and over 84,000 miles of running water bodies! Wisconsin is home to some of the greatest fishing in the world for multiple species including Common Carp. Our state record for Common Carp is 57 Ibs 2 Oz. Wild carping in the wilderness of Wisconsin can provide eye-widening experiences like sightings of bears, eagles, and deer within proximity.

Life is beautiful and so are the accomplishments and creations we bring to reality. As of the last few years it has been my goal to clean up the environment and educate others about what I have learned.

Life is like a tree’s limbs if we allow it to be. The paths we may take are uncountable, where we will go may be up to us; however, life has a way of keeping your glass full if you sustain an open mind.

If you reach out and provide endless effort, life meets you in the middle and catches you! I took a singular step into angling and now I’m walking a journey I’ll never forget. Your dreams are out there accumulating in a cloud ready to precipitate until your cup overflows with goals, aspirations, and agendas beyond your wildest dreams. The journey awaits you, the maze of paths lies on the horizon.

Throughout the United Kingdom and other countries, Carp are not always; but are usually and popularly fished from ponds. Here in the United States where Carp were stocked in the wild about 200 years ago, the scene is much different especially in northern frigid states. In the north the season is open year-round, however the water is not.

For up to 6 months of the year our wild Carp populations are exposed to frigid temperatures. These thermal conditions in turn drastically lower activity and growth due to the ectothermic nature of fishes. This means albeit rare, a Carp may be seen being hoisted through a 3-foot slab of ice in the middle of March and sometimes even during April on a frozen lake or river.

While massive Carp are rarer in the states, the sheer mass of wild carp left untargeted and unpressured leaves for absolutely massive angling opportunities. Dare I say Carp are a near untapped resource of infinite angling fun in the USA. The physical and mental challenges provided by Carp angling are unlike those given by many other species in the sport of angling.

A research study described within an In-Fisherman book stated that Common Carp are amongst the top-rated freshwater species for intelligence. This makes angling for these fish very challenging at times. Especially when it comes to the Carp’s amazing ability of memory. Carp possess the uncanny ability to know the EXACT location of every single snag in their home swim.

Although wild Carp have likely rarely been targeted, this doesn’t mean they are going to instantly eat the bait. Many baits regularly used for Carp fishing may be completely foreign to a wild fish. Which makes for a delightfully challenging experience in determining what bait will invoke success for a specific swim. Seasonality also plays a significant factor in what will work as a successful bait presentation. Fly fishing for carp can be a massive upper hand! As a consolation to natural baits, in my experience pack bait never fails.

Wild Carping done properly will take you to unforgettable wilds and lead to irreplaceable memories. Tantamount to your success and development as a well-rounded human being is that you take the time to pay attention to more than the angling during your session.

We are often trapped within the pure excitement and suspense of angling. My rule is if it’s not a tournament, work on being present within the moment while enjoying the surroundings and reflecting on your goals and aspirations. Stare at the rod tips for 14 hours straight if you like!

This strategy may garner more fish, but you will miss amazing experiences and photographic opportunities.

While wild carping, we as anglers are presented with the opportunity to utilize the pristine beauty of the wilderness to promote the Carp we so love. Nature also provides us with the ability to increase the public’s awareness of our natural resources and the pressing issues the world faces.

Positive exposure can be achieved through avenues such as photography and videography which utilize social media networks. Angling is not just about catching fish; fishing is a way of life!

If you like to fish, if you enjoy the unadulterated wilderness, if you love wild carping: then always try your best to promote our natural resources at every opportunity before they are lost to the sands of time…

Until next time, thanks for taking to time to read my blog.

Adam Zahrt