In Illinois, Summer Time is “Skarping” Time

We've all heard the tired old adage about there being only two seasons in Illinois; winter and road construction. Well, go ahead an add another one: Skarping Season. First, you'll need an invasive species like...oh, I don't know...let's go with the Asian carp. Then, you'll need a few boats, some sports equipment, and maybe a few hundred beers.

If you don’t know what “Skarping” is, it is a combination of water skiing, while catching flying carp, while playing basketball. And, it was invented right here in Illinois by the  Peoria Carp Hunters.

All skarping aside, the Asian carp is no laughing matter. It's an invasive species that has many units of government very concerned about potential damage to the Great Lakes. According to Wikipedia:

The Stop Asian Carp Act of 2011 was introduced to require the Secretary of the Army to study the feasibility of the hydrological separation, such as electric barriers, of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins.[42] The Act provided 30 days for the Secretary of the Army to begin a study on the best means of implementing a hydrological separation of the Great Lakes to prevent the introduction of Asian carp. The study requirements included researching techniques that prevented the spread of carp from flooding, wastewater and storm water infrastructure, waterway safety operations and barge and recreational traffic.

As always, some look at a problem and start convening meetings, committees, subcommittees, etc. Others, like the Peoria Carp Hunters, take matters into their own...nets:

If you enjoyed that (and why wouldn't you), you won't want to miss the sequel. Now with new weapons and tactics:

Say what you want about the trials and tribulations of state government here in Illinois, there's no denying that our skarping is the envy of the nation. Maybe the world.