New Exotic Gamefish

[Ed Wahl]

So I get some time to fish on Monday. What to do, what to do?

I know, I'll go check out this little bassy looking ditch I've been eyeballin' on my delivery route.

I arrive at my ditch around 1 pm. Looks promising. Clearish water, a bit of current. This could be good.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/carp/carp001.jpg

As I tiptoe up, I spotte a couple of really good bass. I also notice that they're swimming as a pair. Looks like they're still spawning at this ditch. No interest from them at all. So off I go to see what else this place holds.
I spotted some smallish panfish, but they wouldn't take either. Then I spotted some real fish poundage. carp.8-[

Undaunted, I set off downstream to find some "real" fish. Spotted a couple more good bass that wouldn't eat and some more carp.](*,)

I was starting to not like this ditch.

I walked to the end, a grate, and turned and started back towards the truck, halfheartedly flinging a fly at the carp. Nothing else to do. The more I played around with the stupid carp the more interesting they became.
These fish are hard, very hard. I had to walk at what any archery hunter would call 'still hunting' pace, that's very, very slow. These fish feel vibrations when you're still 8ft back from the bank. Hyper alert to movements and shadows. Fly line hitting the water would spook the whole stretch.

I found a way to beat their keen senses a bit. I'd look for some fish really getting into nymphing. If they were hogs you'd say they were really rooting around in there.
Then I'd sneak up and slowly lower a fly in front of them and let them come to it before giving it a little twitch. Using this technique I spooked several pods right oughta their scales.](*,)

Perserverance paid off though. Spotted one on the other side really getting into it, puffs of silt coming up and he was totally oblivious of me.
I dropped a Kauffman's Dragon about 10 inches in front of him and waited.

It worked! Fish on!
Oh crap, fish on!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/carp/carp002.jpg

I saw my backing in no time. I had also reached in between two small Oaks to make the cast. And I was about 3ft up from the water. D'oh! As soon as the reel stopped screaming I slid off the bank into the water. Luckily there was a firm bottom only a couple feet deep.
The Carp turned and came back towards me as I reeled in quickly. Then it turned into a tug o war.

Finally, my first intentionally caught Carp.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/carp/carp006.jpg

This is where he went when hooked.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/carp/carp008.jpg

Took a break, still not believing how much fun this was, then started sneaking upstream again.

Found another really busy pod just a little later. Did the same thing again, drop the Dragon a foot in front and watch for the line to twitch.
And once again, it's off to the races!

This fish ran downstream towards what would be his salvation. I'll just let the pic speak for itself.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/carp/carp009.jpg

That was such a rush. I now have a whole new game fish to play with. And it can pull as hard as any fish out there.

I used to knock the Carp, but no more.

Ed

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

That was such a rush. I now have a whole new game fish to play with. And it can pull as hard as any fish out there.

I used to knock the Carp, but no more.

Ed

Better watch out Ed, you'll be accused of "brownlining".... :lol:

But, seriously though, that DOES sound like a rush... My pulse was racing just reading your report!

Congrats on turning over a new leaf! :nod: :thumbsup:

[SHigSpeed]

Oh man Im so jealous! I've been wanting to get some carp action. What weight were you flingin'?

_SHig

[Jay]

That looks like fun.

You ready to go experience one (or eight :) ) of my secret bass ponds yet?

[jbird]

Holy Carp! Sounds like a blast. It mustve been odd getting into your backing in that little ditch!

[Hairstacker]

Ed, between your account and the pictures, that was an awesome report. And congratulations! :cool: They are indeed one spooky fish. I'm still looking to hook one of those 3-footers out on the Delta one of these days . . . .

[Scott V]

I knew you would get one of those one of these days. They are a blast, I have yet to catch one on the fly, but I will continue to try and get one. Good job Ed.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks Ed

Those are pretty cool photos that help tell the story well.

I think that fly fishing for Carp will get more popular as we figure out 'how, when and where' to catch them on flies........more consistently.

[Ed Wahl]

While I can't claim to have them figured out, I do know how to go about it in at least this one situation now.

Shig, I was just using my 5wt. and a 9ft leader tapered to 3x. A larger line would have made spooking them a lot worse. It seems that stealth and presentation are the big problems, at least in this ditch. Although, once hooked you will wish it was an 8wt with 15lb Maxima.

Jay, anytime.

Ed

[Jay]

I went out today with a buddy.

The frog bite was a blast. Although the best one is nearly impossible to fly fish without a tube.

If you wanna get out tomorrow, sat or sun, let me know.

[JonnyP]

Outstanding, thanks for sharing. I'm reading Carp on the fly right now - great book:

http://www.amazon.com/Carp-Fly-Flyfishing-Barry-Reynolds/dp/1555661866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244181325&sr=8-1