'POOR MAN’S BONEFISH’ TOURNEY AT OK’S PURHELL LAKE
leah kirk

Donavan Clary of Purcell has won two carp fly fishing tournaments in the past month in Texas. A carp fishing class and tournament will be held this month in Purcell to bring attention to Project Healing Waters. Carp is called the poor man's bonefish. Many consider it a worthy target for a fly fisherman and will put up a fight equal to the tropical saltwater species.
Through social media, city officials in Purcell noticed he was catching carp on a fly rod and contacted him for advice on removing the overpopulated carp in the city lake. As a result, Clary is helping organize a carp fishing tournament on Sept. 22 at Purcell City Lake. In advance of the event, Clary and Nate Satterelli, president of the OKC Project Healing Waters chapter, are teaching a carp fishing class beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in Purcell at the city lake's main pavilion.
Carp fishing is very popular in Europe, and many fly anglers in Texas have begun chasing carp, Clary said. "As far as fly fishing, there isn't a bigger challenge for a fly angler. Carp are smart, selective, and fight harder than any other freshwater fish."