Carp Diem: targeting the ‘perfect invasive species’ one fishing competition at a time

Fishers line the banks of the Narrabri Creek at the Namoi Carp Muster. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

On the banks of Narrabri Creek, carp filling a rusty truck rot in the morning sun. The stench is overwhelming; muddy and salty despite being hundreds of kilometres from the ocean.

The 16th annual Namoi Carp Muster in Narrabri is in full swing. It is one of the biggest weekends of the year for the town of 5,500 people, located 530km north-west of Sydney. Fishing starts at sunrise and the truck fills as the day heats up, reaching 36.5C on Saturday afternoon.