HR1326 LRB095 21411 GRL 51126 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to congratulate Darin Opel of
4 Worden on the occasion of catching a record-setting 92-pound,
5 8-ounce bighead carp; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Darin Opel is an experienced bowfisher, having
7 participated in the sport for 25 years; he has been a member of
8 the Illinois Bowfishers Club since its incorporation four years
9 ago; he has bowfished for sharks, stingrays, and even
10 alligators in Florida; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Darin Opel caught his record-breaking fish while
12 bowfishing for gar from the shore in a backwater above the
13 Melvin Price Lock and Dam No. 26 on the Illinois side of the
14 Mississippi River near Alton; during the hunt, he shot the
15 92-pound, 8-ounce bighead carp with a compound bow and arrow;
16 after fighting the giant fish for 10 minutes, he jumped into
17 the muddy water, bearhugged the beast, and inched it to the
18 shore; and
 
19     WHEREAS, When the fish was weighed on a certified scale,
20 the huge Asian carp had a 30-inch girth and measured 62 inches
21 long, obliterating the previous Illinois bowfishing record for
22 bighead carp of 35 pounds, 5 ounces; this astounding catch is

 

 

HR1326 - 2 - LRB095 21411 GRL 51126 r

1 the largest on record by a recreational fisherman in the
2 Western Hemisphere; Darin Opel's previous record for bighead
3 carp weighed 25 pounds; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Darin Opel plans on having the fish, which is
5 currently being stored in his father's meat freezer, mounted by
6 a taxidermist in St. Louis; he plans to display it at the Deer
7 and Turkey Classic in Bloomington next year; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Darin Opel's incredible catch serves as an
9 inspiration to both experienced fishermen and aspiring anglers
10 everywhere; therefore, be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13 congratulate Darin Opel of Worden on his incredible catch and
14 wish him continued success in the future; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to Darin Opel as an expression of our respect and
17 esteem.