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Carp fly takes question

Author	Comment
borumas	Carp fly takes question	Lead	[-]
Guide Posts: 140 (06/28/09 22:26:53) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I decided to go down to a hole I know has a good 10-15 carp in it that range from 5-20lbs in the creek I usually fish, and found we really need some rain but the carp are still there. I was wondering, as I've never had luck catching carp, how do they take the fly? Do they take it very subtle-like where they will not make a strike indicator move much or other? I believe I hooked or maybe foul hooked a good 7-8lb one today as he was moving and I got the fly right in front of him. Then it looked like it was passing by the fly so I started pulling it in and the line tightened up as he ran and the line came free from it- gave me a little adrenaline rush there I must say! I'm really wanting to catch some of these beast, there are some really nice ones in this creek and also in the San Antonio River by the Missions.
Cornmuse		#1	[-]
Posts: 847 (06/29/09 05:28:32) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	If the carp aren't actually nose down on the bottom actively feeding they can be very tough. Go small with a nymph. Carp will crush a fly - I've seen them work a school of gizzard shad like stripers tearing through peanut bunker. And I've seen them cloop cottonwood seeds off the top of a still lake in 20 feet of water with those big mouth coming slowly and deliberately out of the water (and they were impossibly spooky). If a carp is swimming quickly its very unlikely to take, but if its feeding the take will be solid and you'll know it. Joe C. "Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." - Henry David Thoreau Visit www.flyfishohio.com for great fly fishing and fly tying articles, the "Adventures in Fly Tying" monthly video podcast and the "Adventures in Fly Fishing" monthly audio podcast. The Midwest isn't a place you fly over to get to good fishing - it's right here in our own backyards. Think globally - fish locally.
majicwrench		#2	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1168 (06/29/09 11:50:57) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	There is a good article about carp FFishing at www.washintongflyfishing.com go to articles and you will find the article, it is written by a true master of the art . I'm gonna disagree with Joe, while I have had carp strike aggressively, most of the time it is very subtle. He is correct, however, your best luck will come while they are feeding, nose down, pushing around in the rocks. If you have a group of carp circling around a pool, is gonna be tough. Get fly right in front of them, it has to be close, a #8 wooly bugger is good start. SOmetimes you will see their mouth open as they suck in fly, sometimes you will see them dart forward a few inches to get fly, sometimes you will see them look all excited...sometimes you will just know they have it. I don't like strike indicators for carp, #1 they generally will not move the indicator, #2 if you are watching the indicator you are not watching the fish, which is what you should be doing. I experimented a bit with a small pea sized hunk of bright yarn a foot or two above my fly for a while, it gave me a better idea just where my fly was. Good luck, Keith
ribs1		#3	[-]
Posts: 233 (06/29/09 18:28:58) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	As a very serious carp fisherman, this question does not have a good answer. As Joe alludes to, depending on where you are, what the carp are doing, and what they are feeding on, it totally depends. Right now I am fishing carp exclusively on the mulberry hatch. During this time, the carp often rush the fly as soon as they here the plop and attack it with reckless abandon. When I am fishing carp on the flats of grand traverse bay, it is the exact opposite. We are using crayfish flies and nymphs. The carp subtly hovers over the fly and slowly vacuums it up. If you don't see him suck the fly in, you never feel it. President Carp Unlimited www.huronflyfishing.com
turtledoc.clarksclassicfl...		#4	[-]
Posts: 253 (06/29/09 19:21:00) Adminstrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	As a VERY novice carp angler I agree that figuring out the take is by far the hardest part. As a beginner, I would suggest looking for spots that you can fish relatively clear water from a high vantage point with some camo (i.e - tall grass etc). I tried blind nymphing and I was clueless as to what I was doing, but targeting feeding fish that I could see, made all the difference in the world. I targeted feeding fish that I could put a carp carrot or bugger a few feet in front of them and then SEE the carp suck in the fly. I was surprised just how quickly they will spit the fly if you don't set the hook fast enough and there most definitely is an art to being a good carp fly fisher (which I am not). Take any advice you can get from the guys like ribs that do this a lot..... And Most important......just keep trying Mark B Something to consider: Be willing to share photos, information and the knowledge you have about your collection with anyone that has an interest in learning...........also share your knowledge to answer questions that others may have about items in their collections.........doing this will make you feel good and benefits this community ..................after all, what good is having knowledge that isn't shared. MEB
borumas		#5	[-]
Guide Posts: 141 (06/30/09 21:55:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for the replies guys, I'll be trying them again in the future.
borumas		#6	[-]
Guide Posts: 148 (07/09/09 19:55:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hit the same spot today, this time I know a the carp took the fly but didn't get him unfortunately, saw plenty of them but only had that one hit that I could see for certain. I was using a bright green San Juan worm-like pattern with a copper bead on it to sink it down. I guess I'll keep trying and eventually will get one.

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