2026 Valley of the Sun Carp Rally
20 Teams. 24 Hours. One Very Bad Day to Be an Arizona Carp!
The Valley of the Sun Carp Rally returned on September 19 for 24 hours of competitive fly fishing across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
With 20 teams competing, anglers headed out in pursuit of two major titles: Most Carp Caught and Biggest Carp.
Carp are notoriously challenging to catch on the fly. Their keen senses, unpredictable feeding behavior, and ability to detect even subtle movements make them a rewarding target for anglers willing to put in the time and effort.
From navigating urban waterways to adapting their presentations and finding feeding fish, competitors put their patience, skill, and strategy to the test.
The Carp Rally by the Numbers
- 20 competing teams
- 24 hours of fishing
- 117 carp caught
- 3,203.25 inches of fish measured
- 27.38 inches average fish length
That’s more than 9.7 feet of carp per team on average, and nearly 267 feet of fish measured across the tournament!
These numbers highlight both the impressive size of the fish our anglers encountered and the effort that went into this year’s competition.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Carp Rally Champions!
MOST CARP CAUGHT
Team Bottom Feeders — Steve & Scott
Congratulations to Steve and Scott of Team Bottom Feeders for taking home the title of Most Carp Caught!
In a competition where every fish counts, their determination and consistency earned them the top spot.
BIGGEST CARP
Team Debris Danglers — Jaime & Jack
Congratulations to Jaime and Jack of Team Debris Danglers for landing the Biggest Carp of the tournament!
Catching a large carp on the fly is no small feat, and their winning catch secured them this year’s biggest-fish honors.
A huge congratulations to both teams and everyone who competed in this year’s Carp Rally!
Whether you were chasing the leaderboard or simply enjoying a day on the water with your teammate, your participation helped make this event a success.
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026
A Night to Remember!
After an exciting 24 hours on the water, the celebration continued on Sunday, September 20, at the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
AZ Fly Shop and Wildlife for Tomorrow welcomed more than 250 attendees for the 20th Anniversary Fly Fishing Film Tour.
Surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, anglers, families, friends, and outdoor enthusiasts gathered for an evening dedicated to adventure, storytelling, and conservation.
The Fly Fishing Film Tour brought inspiring films and the spirit of fly fishing to the big screen, showcasing the people, places, and experiences that make this sport so special.
Beyond the films, the evening was an opportunity to reconnect with friends, celebrate the Carp Rally participants and winners, and recognize the generous supporters who helped bring the weekend together.
With beautiful surroundings and an incredible turnout, it was truly a night to remember!
Approximately $30,000 Raised for Wildlife for Tomorrow!
Doubling Our Impact Through Community & Conservation
The greatest achievement of this year’s Carp Rally and Fly Fishing Film Tour wasn’t measured in fish caught or tickets sold.
It was measured in the generosity of our community.
Through the Carp Rally, Fly Fishing Film Tour, silent auction, raffles, and support from our incredible sponsors and donors, we raised approximately $30,000 for Wildlife for Tomorrow!
That’s about DOUBLE the amount raised last year, representing an extraordinary step forward in our community’s support for Arizona conservation.
Wildlife for Tomorrow is the nonprofit conservation partner of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, helping advance efforts that benefit Arizona’s wildlife, habitats, and outdoor heritage.
The organization supports conservation and education initiatives that help ensure future generations can continue to experience and appreciate the remarkable natural resources our state has to offer.
For AZ Fly Shop, these events represent something much bigger than a weekend of fishing and entertainment. They’re an opportunity to give back to the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that make our outdoor adventures possible.
When our community comes together, the impact extends far beyond the water.
News Features & Sponsors
Relive the Carp Rally Action!
Couldn’t make it to this year’s tournament? Or want to relive the excitement?
Check out these videos featuring the 2026 Valley of the Sun Carp Rally!
- Watch the 2026 Carp Rally — See the event highlights.
- 20 Teams. 24 Hours. One Very Bad Day to Be an Arizona Carp! — Catch the action on AZ Fly Shop’s Facebook page.
- More 2026 Carp Rally Footage — Take another look at the event.
A Special Thank-You to Our Sponsors & Supporters
Events of this scale simply wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and commitment of our community sponsors.
From the businesses that contributed products, experiences, and financial support to the volunteers who gave their time and the anglers who showed up ready to compete, every contribution made a difference.
We’re especially grateful to our sponsors for helping make this year’s Carp Rally, Fly Fishing Film Tour, silent auction, and raffles such an outstanding success.
Your support helped us create an incredible experience for our community while making a meaningful contribution to wildlife conservation throughout Arizona.
To all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, anglers, and attendees: THANK YOU!
Your generosity is what makes events like these possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
The 2026 Valley of the Sun Carp Rally and Fly Fishing Film Tour may be behind us, but the memories and impact will last well beyond the weekend.
We’re already looking forward to bringing Arizona’s fly-fishing community together again for more friendly competition, incredible films, and opportunities to support conservation.
Until then, keep exploring, keep fishing, and keep supporting the wild places that make our adventures possible.
From all of us at AZ Fly Shop, thank you for making 2026 a year to remember!
