Thats fair enough Beecy. I agree, it does'nt matter a jot what a fish weighs, its the undoubted pleasure one gets from catching a big un, thats important.
But to make the claim in the first place is equally pointless!
Angela, congratulations on catching the fish. I am genuinely pleased for you. Many of us on here have caught carp to 30, 40, 50 or even 60lbs, and believe me please that we know a 38lb carp when we see one!
I agree with Frothy, if it had a wide girth it would possibly just about make a 20.
Good luck for the future, and don't let all this put you off. But although you won't think so now, in the future you will look back on this and realise you have learned from it.