Drift West's 2025 IGFA Carp Fishing Invitational

Carp Diem! Drift West's IGFA Carp Fishing Invitational is in the Books.

Well folks, the dust has settled, the tents are packed away, and the echoes of laughter (and maybe a few exaggerated fish stories) still linger around the banks of CJ Strike Reservoir.

Drift West was thrilled to host the IGFA (that's the totally legitimate Idaho Goldfish Association) Invitational Carp Fly Fishing Tournament this past weekend, April 18th-19th, at the Black Sands Resort in Grand View, ID! Check out this quick recap video on our YouTube channel.

Teams braved the brisk Idaho winds and a rather finicky carp population, all vying for glory, and that sweet, sweet $1,000 grand prize! But this tournament was always about more than just the fish. It was about good times, swapping tales around the campfire, enjoying some well-deserved beverages, and soaking in the stunning scenery of the Black Sands Resort.

Speaking of good times, a HUGE shoutout to our incredible sponsors who showered us with amazing prizes and made the whole event possible: Turtle Box, NRS Rafts, Blue Line Co., TroutRoutes, Lamson, Bajio, and Rising! You are the real MVPs!

So, who managed to outsmart those stubborn carp, right? Here's a rundown of this year’s results:

DAY 1 - Friday:

• Biggest Fish: Drake & Zain – a respectable 74cm beauty! Nicely done, anglers!
• The Blue Line team put in some serious work, landing 2 fish with their biggest measuring in at 73cm.
• Colby & Mike also got on the board with a 71cm carp.
• Hunter managed to reel in 2 fish, his biggest hitting the 73cm mark.

DAY 2 - Saturday:

• Biggest Fish (and Overall Most Caught!): The team from Blue Line absolutely crushed it today, landing two more carp, including an 85.5cm monster! They officially claimed the title of "Overall Most Caught" with a total of 4 fish throughout the tournament. Congrats, Blue Line!
• Kyle from Lamson brought in a solid 80cm fish.
• Smallest Fish: We had a tie for the smallest fish of the tournament! Both Ben & Hunter and Ryan G from Rising each landed a scrappy 68cm carp. Every carp counts, right?
• Weirdest Fish: Let's just say there were a couple of catches that left us scratching our heads. A tie for the "Weirdest Fish" goes to the legendary Hank Patterson and the Blue Line team. 
  

A HUGE thank you again to all the participants and our phenomenal sponsors who braved the elements and brought the energy! You're what makes this event so special, and your generous contributions make this tournament a memorable experience for everyone.

Stay tuned on the Drift West channels for more events, adventures, and gatherings.

We'll see you on the water! Drift on.