Thank you all so much to everyone who donated to our fundraising efforts for the restoration of the Denver South Platte River. We truly appreciate it. This year’s tournament was a huge success and we raised over $38,000 for the future of the river. It is the most DTU has ever raised in a single CarpSlam! We couldn’t have done it without you.
Your donations have helped us fund numerous projects and restoration efforts on the DSP. Most recently, a water study that was used to help reverse a motion that weakened pollution protections of the river. The data and analysis that was funded by Denver Trout Unlimited came directly from Carp Slam contributions and other DTU fundraising. In September of 2022, The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission unanimously reversed the controversial decision and added pollution protections back to the South Platte River and Clear Creek through metro Denver!
244.25″ of total Carp caught
10 total Smallmouth caught
+ Walleyes & Rainbows caught!
Thanks again for all your help.
2nd Place – Mike Medina & Sunny Sundgaard – 50.25″
3rd Place – Daryl Eakins & Bill Bianco – 29.00″
While we are all out on the river competing to win the fishing tournament, CarpSlam is first and foremost, a fundraiser for the future of the Denver South Platte River. 2023 brought in record donations for an all-time high of over $38,000 in donations. DTU Board Member and first time competitor, Nic Hall raised the most ever by an individual in tournament history with $9600! Nic went home with a custom Abel/Wandering Blue Lines Reel, Orvis Backpack, and Locke+CO Whiskey for the grand prize fundraiser. Big thanks to our sponsors generous donations.
2nd place fundraiser – Nate McCord w/ $2650 
3rd place fundraiser – Patrick Mapes w/ $2060
9 total carp were caught in Carp Slam XVII. Great weather, but tough sight fishing conditions with a day of rain before the tournament.
Big thanks to all of our sponsors who made CARPSLAM XVII possible: Orvis, RareWaters, 25 on the Fly, RiverSmith, Yeti, Umpqua, Echo Fly Rods, Patagonia, FlyLords, LidRig, Fin River Gear, Orsic Creative, Denver Trout Unlimited, Wandering Blue Lines, Fish Print Shop, River North Brewery, Western Medicine Spirits, Urban Anglers USA, Epic Western Cocktails, Farmer’s Engraving, American Carp Society, Nervous Water Flies, Abel Reels, Cheeky Fishing, Locke + CO,
25 on the Fly and Orvis paired up and surprised everyone at this year’s awards ceremony by donating $5,000 to Denver Trout Unlimited and CarpSlam XVII !!! We can not thank you enough. The future of the DSP is in good hands.
This year at CarpSlamXVII, we were also gifted with the opportunity to honor long-time DTU Board Member, Fred Miller for 50 YEARS of volunteering and service to our Denver Chapter and the South Platte River. The 1st place trophies are officially renamed to the Fred Miller CarpSlam Cups. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Dr. Fred!
Check out Carp Slam highlights on Instagram stories HERE
