4/21: Carp Skunk

[Tuna]

Yea, I know, salt water. The salt water where I like to fish is too cold now.

Last year around this time, after rains and warm sun, the carp came out on the overflow from the Passaic River behind the parking lot at work (Livingston NJ). By the time I got a fly rod there the next day, they had gone back to the river, where they were spooky and I failed to get a hit 10 lunches in a row.

With recent rain and warm, I have been bringing my fly rod to work this week and yesterday the carp showed again.

Called buddy Bob who drove to work with 2 pairs of waders and out we go.

I got one touch (no hookup) on a small clouser but lost the fly in a tree casting to a spawn group I hoped to foul hook one from. I also got follows on that fly and an old fly Bob gave back to me from singles, and had lots of unsuccessful attempts to foul hook the spawn pods.

It was a lot of fun. One of these years I am going to catch one.

They were 10 to 20 pounds (my guess).

They are it again big time this morning, but I gotta work some.

[b.clancy]

Tuna-
Maybe you should try the Dave Skok approach- chum them w/ bread and cast a bread fly. (I have no idea how to tie a bread fly, but it's probably not rocket science.) Good luck. Your fishing sounds awesome compared to mine- still had ice in Lake Champlain 2 weeks ago and the rivers are a gushing mess.
Bob

[fmw]

Didn't Flip Pallot once have an episode about carp fishing?? If my memory is correct, I think he was with Lefty Kreh.

Saltwater fishing is coming soon. Was on the east end this past weekend and it is showing the surest sign of spring: Lobster Roll, Clam Bar and Cyril's are all open for business.

Schlepped out to Montauk on Sunday to take a walk and there were about thirty seals hanging out on rocks on the north side at Stepping Stones. If I have a chance when my boat first goes in the water, I'd like to take a drive up to the Gulls, as I have read that up to 2000 seals at a time have been counted hanging out at Great Gull.

I'm actually suprised there have been no reports on this site of folks fly-fishing traditional early season spots: Little Neck, Manhasset, etc.

[SteMikey]

It was a show about 3 years ago.
Flip and Lefty were fly fishing in the Susquehana for carp.
It was one of the better Walkers Cay shows.
Mike

[Tuna]

Heh Clancy, its (bread) on Bob and my list for what to try next. Unfortunately, things have died down some since this morning and I really have to work this afternoon.

Other videos I have seen:

OLN, the ex skier married to the tennis player (hmm, no fish caught in 2004=senility) fishing for carp in waterways along the roads of Florida. Used a "fruit" fly (as the carp were eating things off some trees). Not that great fights because the fish had no where to run. Funny comment about watching your backcasts.

Another, maybe ESPN, flats fishing one of the great Lakes in July (maybe Lake Michigan, I forget). Crystal clear water, like flats fishing for giant bonefish. There, the carp were on crayfish and were quite catchable. Great runs along beautiful flats.

If I never catch one here, some day I am going to find that guide in the great Lakes. I used to love bonefishing, but rarely did I get consistent shots at big (8 pound or up) fish.

[danny]

hey tuna... try to throw some really small, dark bonefish patterns. i have always heard (never really done it) that that is a big secret to catching these guys. i am going to start trying them in the next week or two, i'll post something if i get lucky. also, obviously a super stealthy approach. good luck, let us know.

[uncle4]

I think the real expert in this matter is Chris Windram... He
runs www.saltwaterflies.com and will answer any questions
you might have.

Several years ago he came and gave a presentation of carp
fishing in the Housatanic to the MVY Surf Casters... a great
presentation (with slides, 3" scales from a fish -- all released,
flies, etc).

Uncle 4

PS I've got no business with saltwaterflies other than I'm a
some-times customer.

[Tuna]

Wow, Chris W.

I buy so many of his golden epoxy flies (for albies) he now sends me thank you notes with the orders. Hmm, maybe I can get some ideas from him.

Last year, when I posted similarly, someone suggested a book (got it at home but don't remember name) which was good, but a lot of it indicated its a question of time and circumstance.

Danny, I wonder if the bonefish flies look like small crayfish. From what I have read, if you can find them on crayfish you got a decent chance.

Alas, the wind is cold and the water is receding. They were going crazy at 8 am this morning, still going strong at noon, but my look around 3 PM I saw nothing. Spawn may be over, but it was the singles I had a chance at anyway.

[H2O]

I've always done well with small black or brown buggers, you might try a #8 BH Prince. They really have to be mudding to take a fly well. We found if they were cruising, they would spook from the fly/line. We fished for carp in the Colorado back eddies around Rifle and some reservoirs near Alamosa for carp tournies.

Check out Brad Befus' book. It is pretty good.

[joshr]

As I understand it, some carp are vegetarians and some are not. The veggies are very very tough to catch, but I have heard of people creating "algea flies" and foling them. Give it a shot, Peter!

[PhilDKreal]

lol

I have yet too hook one in the pond (puddle?) near my house. Maybe this weekend.....

[LarryM]

Hi guys -
there is a species called a "Grass Carp", but those are relatively rare, and are always stocked fish, to control vegetation. The vast majority of the carp you'll run into will be the common carp, which are omnivorous.
What are the predominant insects where you fish ? In my favorite area, it's dragonflys and damselflies - so I fish the nymphs of these insects. The carp will feed on the nymphs and emergers - I have even see them take the winged insects ! The smaller carp will come out of the water to grab a big dragonfly. What also works well is a small clouser ( # 6 - #10). I use rusty brown and tan craft fur, that's been my best color combo.
A small crayfish pattern can also be very effective, if there are crayfish where you fish ........ LarryM