Is it really fly fishing?

[Slappy]

One of the great things about fishing is that other than the regs, there are no rules.

All this talk of carp on the fly brings me to a question about what is really fly fishing. Yes I am an avid carper. I catch them in the spring and winter when the stripers aren't around, but I catch them on bait. In following the posts, I have come across many bits of advice for carp on the fly. Most flyfishing for carp is very situational: you can catch them when they are eating flowers off the surface in pond x, you can catch them on the flats in Lake Mich.

The one technique that I found that is not situational is the sponge fly. It is a piece of sponge tied to look like a piece of corn. Here is where the cheating comes in... The sponge is dipped in corn juice, anise, strawberrry etc for flavor then cast to the fish. I know this would work on actively feeding fish, but sounds like bait dippin' for catfish to me...

If I try that, am I fly fishing or am I just another bait fisherman?

[mdrew9]

I think it has a different name, I posed a similar question regarding Salmon fishing. Many fisherman put real eggs on their hooks.

[mdrew9]

http://www.reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35077

[Bob Parsons]

When fly fishing for sharks the fly often gets soaked in fish oil. Same type of flyfishing.

[uncle4]

While you could call it fly fishing (as you're using the weight
of the line to deliver the artificial), scenting or flavoring the
fly would make the catch illegal for an IGFA record.

Chumming is perfectly acceptable, but scenting the fly, the
line, or any other part of the rig seems to disqualify you from
"fly fishing"

Uncle 4

[PeteV]

I guess I have to tie up a few Sponges. By the way What works better: Green Giant, Delmonte or some other brand

[Slappy]

uncle4--good thing that we live in MA and won't be catching any records! i would imagine that the records, even on flytackle must be huge. Carp can get very sluggish in really warm water and can be easy to catch on light line--making line class records easy. Just dont try it when the water is cool!

PeteV--Brand doesn't matter. I do go for the biggest kernels which are usually in the name brand cans. Chum with the juice also chum with creamed corn. If you are going to use bait, google "carp hair rig" this will show you an easy to use bait setup that hooks them in the lips and not the throat. Tie your hair rigs on superline, the soft line gets spit less.

Tried the flies dipped in blood for blues in CA. It was a long time ago, I don't remember if I caught one.

[PeteV]

I'm thinking the Sponge fly might also work for mullet in Florida. Those dumb things use to jump over my line ...hmmm... but what would I need to soak it in.

[mdrew9]

If I put a silverside on a hook is it still fly fishing?

[smallboat4]

Depends on how you cast it....

[Bob Parsons]

If I put a silverside on a hook is it still fly fishing?
BAITyour not trying to imitate anything. (#$122)

[uncle4]

I'll quote from the rules book:

-------------- snip ------------------------
F. Lures

The lure must be a recognized type of artificial fly, which includes streamer,
bucktail, tube fly, wet fly, dry fly, nymph, popper and bug. The use of any
other type of lure or natural or preserved bait, either singularly or attached
to the fly, is expressly prohibited. Only a single fly is allowed. Dropper
flies are prohibited. The fact that a lure can be cast with a fly rod is not
evidence in itself that it fits the definition of a fly. The use of any lure de-
signed to entangle or foul hook a fish is prohibited. No scent, either natural
or artificial, is allowed on flies. The use of scented material in a fly is
prohibited.

-------------- snip ------------------------

Sure, the IGFA is only one body of 'rules' making people... there's the
European F.I.P.S-Mouche, C.I.P.S. and other organizations that claim
to be _the_ authority... but I like the simple, straight forward language
of the IGFA in this regard.

hope this helps...

Uncle 4

[uncle4]

and just for the record<s>... the IGFA says the biggest
Common Carp come from Austin TX and Annone, Italy
(6# tippet from Texas with a 35# 4oz fish, and 16#
tippet from Italy with a 42# fish).

Seems the Grass Carp are even bigger!

Uncle 4

[Punchshot]

I was watching a fishing show with Dave Whitlock fishing for trout, and he would scent his fly with the alge and mud from the bottom of the river he was fishing - is he still flyfishing

[mdrew9]

Thanks Uncle 4. Although I still think fishing with droppers is still fly fishing. It just may not be qualified for IGFA records. I would think rubbing the fly in mud would be fly fishing but rubbing it in a fish is not.

[uncle4]

The FIPS-Mouche, CIPS and others allow for droppers... that's
why I said 'different strokes for different folks'.

I'm pretty sure that rubbing the fly in the mud does not change
its appearance, but its smell (hides the softex, or dye, or whatever).

Bottom line is: It is what you call it. Some people troll flies and
call that fly fishing... some people dap flies and call it fly fishing...
I wouldn't get to worried what you call it, so long as you get out
there and _do_ it.

Cheers,

Uncle 4