[Jeff in Kentucky]

Carbs almost always clog at the pilot mixture area first, so there is a big flat spot just above idle. He should have put a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank before long storage, and ran the engine enough to get it in the carb float bowls. Here is a short discussion about Stabil vs. Sea Foam (I prefer the Sea Foam):

http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/255335