Here is a mirror carp. They are rare in our American waters as they are a recessive genetic trait. They appear frequently in the UK and European countries as most of their stockings were mirrors bred with generations of mirrors. They were bred that way to be more amenable to the filleting knife, as in the past, the carp was primarily a food fish as it is throughout most of the world. Today in the UK it has attained sport fish status of high esteem, and few are eaten there. Of course in the US it is an undesirable species and many state governments have even attempted eradication. Although Americans were the first country to fish for them in large numbers, the public has more edible species they prefer. But things are changing as many Americans are viewing carp fishing as a sport more challenging than the traditional species. Anglers taking the time to investigate this claim for themselves eventually become hooked on it as it is perhaps the most technical kind of fishing one can attain to. Done as we do it, of course.

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