Clay34
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Posts posted by Clay34
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im having problems catching carp too, they wont even turn to look at the fly im not sure why and im not sure if its the presentation , the carp just not feeding, or if the fly has my scent on it i just started fly fishing carp this year so i really don't have a clue why they won't bite
This might sound funny but you can't catch every carp that you see. The trick is to find an area that holds many fish to sight fish to. If one is not in the mood after a few casts move on to greener pastures and try a different fish. I just returned from an Unsuccessful carp outting. I presented a fly in the right location, close to the feeding end, on at least a half doz sunners. Not a single fish reacted to numberous presentations of a 4 or 5 different patterns. The fish were just soaking up rays and not feeding or reacting to anything. I don't write that off to a scent issue. I write that off to time of year and water temp. It only April in Wisconsin I tell myself. Give them some more time to warm up and try another day.
Rick
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Every year you do well with monster fish John. I'm happily plodding alone catching little ones. Last Friday I did have a group of about 4 buffs that I had a chance to present a fly to. It was a no go and the fish were widely spread out over 30 yards in a very loose group feeding on very small stuff. I kept looking at the size of those fish, the current and realized that the 5/6 wt that I had in my hand was drastically under gunned for that situation, but I would have tried my best to land one given the chance. Makes me smile when you get your Dad involved in the game. Family is the important stuff. Glad to see that you haven't lost your touch and are back in the saddle full swing again.
Rick
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Please tell these trash fish to get out of my way while I am carp fishing.
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Scent on flies has been controversial for a long time. On many trout type waters in many states, it's illegal to use scent on flies, the IGFA (Interenational Game Fish Associate) won't allow a record to be held for fly fishing if scent was used.
The truth is that many of us fly fishing for carp guys aren't very influenced by someone trying to put their rules on our behavoir. While a negative stigma might help rein in some, most of us are out of the box type people anyhow, so if you want to try scent go for it. My self imposed rules just for me, I want to try to fool them without the use of scent. The biggest thing in that equation is that I said "for me". I won't try and tell you what you should do as long as it isn't illegal. It does drive me nuts when other fisherman tell other fisherman that they are wrong because they don't do it like they do it.
We are chasing carp with a fly rod because of the added challenge that many of us feel instead of using bait. We choose to put that equipment restriction on ourselves and that makes it fun for us. If you are having fun doing it a different way, cool!
Now having said all of that I think scent is an edge as far as an attractant, so if you are having some trouble hooking up with fly gear and want to give it a go, have at it.
Rick
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I have friends that won't use glue because of the scent, but I have never attributed my problems to that. Confidence in your patterns that you are throwing, I do find to be a big factor. If you think it is a problem, it's a problem. Just double or tripple whip finish and drop the glue for you is probably a good move. All those flies that aren't working for you, please send to me. I will be glad to take them off of your hands. I have shipped many flies to Iraq and will include these in my next shipment to soldiersor if you want I can give you a soldier that I know in Iraq that carp fishes and they are always looking for supplies.
http://www.baghdadflyfishing.com/
I find that the early season, the fish are pickier than when the water warms up. Try some other patterns. I throw a pattern that is very good to me in July called a girdle bug. It's a simple effective pattern, but I haven't been able to turn a fish with it right now or get any interests. I have actually done better with some smaller patterns right now. I change flies or offerings often. I listen to the fish, they will ignore many offers, but when a fish responds to one, even though you don't get a hook up, keep throwing that one. Different colors and sizes are key.
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Around here visibility in streams and rivers is always affected by rains or dam releases. Could there be a dam up river causing the cloudy water?
Eric
The water is actually low right now and there hasn't been much rain. I'm almost wondering (this will prove my ignorance) if there is some kind of bloom or algae suspended in the water this time of year. I know that it seems way too early for a summer type algae, there is definately something suspended in the water. Might have to call the DNR today, (dept of natural resources). I'll put my request in for them to go out and push the button that clears the water up so that I can sight fish carp better. I'm sure they will be right on top of that. Maybe they won't push the button, but I am hoping that someone can tell me why visibility is so low this season.
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I went out again yesterday but later in the day, about 6 pm. The temps were still 78 F and instead of many, many fish I saw visually exactly one fish that I clobbered over the head many times and it would not move. I think it was sick.
I mentioned this before but the river's visibility level is very low indeed, much more than in past years. At first as a small stream trout fisherman I tend to think of low visibility in the spring creeks being caused by run off from rains etc. It hasn't rained much lately and I have no clue as to why the low visibility. I'm almost wondering if a nice big spring rain would blow whatever is suspended in the water down river and clean out the system. Anyone else having issues like this or experienced issues like this in the past?
Rick
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Should have added a photo when I originally did the post.
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I have been scouting many times per week for a number of weeks. For whatever reason the river that I have been fishing is very muddy this year, much worse than the previous three seasons. I could see some fish moving, but never could ID fish well enough to cast to them. Yesterday hit 82F for a high and this fish were up sunning themselves in the heat over a muddy bottom lagoon. I have seen fish jumping on warmer days recently, but again not sight fishing opportunities.
Yesterday is day one of the official carp season for me. I saw maybe 25 to 30 that I could cast to. Some of these fish were little more than a shadow, but still sight fishing targets. While I had two fish on in about 3 hours, it wasn't fast paced action but the small fish I caught on a 5/6 wt 9' rod still pulled drag and brook trout just don't do that for me.
The first fish took a size 10 hairs ear and the second fish I tried to land on a size 18 midge pattern. I say tried because after about 5 minutes playing with the fish on the 5/6 wt and 4 pound Vanish as tippet material the hook pulled out. Just not a big enough gap to hold with pressure being applied. The fly was again a size 18 with the body wrapped out of 6 to 8 pound chartreuse fishing line and the collar made out of some extra fine dubbing for the smallest of a ball toward the head. They ate it, but I couldn't land them with it. I do have some Mustad R90 in size 16 that would hold the fish but nothing with this pattern tied up, but I know this guy who ties, if I could ever get him to quit talking about tying and actually sit at the bench.
Rick
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Dave when the passion for the hobby leaves, then it's time for a new hobby. Glad that the sports gets your blood pumping. I've been scouting, a lot, but the water is just too muddy for me to sight fish in my favorite spots. This week should start the real deal of the year for me at my location.
Rick
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Great photos John. While I didn't have a fly rod with me today I was out scouting. The river is muddy and sight fishing is not in the cards today, but soon, very soon indeed.
Rick
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The Garside Sparow is posted in flyrod fishing, could you please enter the insructions ect on this section so it does not get lost,thank-you Bryn..
http://www.jackgartside.com/step_gartside_sparrow.htm
Enjoy.
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Brought a smile to my face. Cool John, glad that you are remembering what the really important things in life are. A friend of mine use to have a bumper sticker that said, I would rather hunt with my kids than hunt for them. I will modify that a little and say that I would rather fish with my kids than fish for them. It looses a little in the translation but I think that you still get the idea. Good piece of business there.
Rick
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Not exactly my sight fishing stalk and snipe method, but interesting. Enjoyed looking in his fly box early on in the video.
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Abel is owned by the same company that owns Thomas and Thomas rods, they are in some financial trouble right now and anyone considering buying one should be aware of that. If you really want one at half price they are available here while supplies last: http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverShopping/S...px?CategoryID=4
I like Lamson as well. There are some great products out there. I like that you are asking about American companies, but remember that not all American companies make all of their rods in America and especially the lower priced rods. Albright might be an American distributor but those sticks were not made here. One more on Albright, I bought a 9 wt rod and reel from them last year. The reel came with a damaged reel seat. I had to explain to them that if they didn't stand behind their brand new product that I would post on several fly fishing boards about their warranty or lack thereof. I don't like going there to get the service that I deserved as a customer. I probably won't buy from them again. If you don't buy their minimum order their shipping costs are way out of line as well.
I, like many fly fisherman have many different outfits, but I tend to fish the most with my St Croix Legend Elites in 7 or 8 wt for carp. These are made here in the US. The Sage rods are very nice too and the upper Winston sticks and Scott rods are great. We are very fortunate to live where there are many different quality options available to us.
I always like to make a note about this time in an equipment thread about getting some casting lessons. If you spend $800 on a stick and $400 on a reel and don't know how to use them properly you would do better to spend less on the hardware and the rest on casting lessons. Your time on the water is going to be so much better and for years to come. Don't take the casting lessons at the end of the season. Get it early on. Find an instructor here: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4465
If you know what type of rod action you prefer life is easier buying a new rod, if you are new at this, you might consider taking the casting lessons before you buy an outfit and try out different rods. Fast action rods aren't for everyone but they are popular these days. Your timing has to be more "spot on" as the Britts like to say but there are performance benefits also there. If you like the slow down and relax while fishing a slower action rod might actually fit your personality better. The stroke isn't so demanding and you let the rod load and unload with a larger window for errors. I'm sure that many of us could talk a long time about these things and I am getting long winded in this posts.
Buying an American rod is a good thing, make sure it's really made here and not just the company is based here. Get some lessons and try something before you buy it. Remember one last important point. This isn't your last rod, this is just your next rod.
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Haha I've got you beat Rick, over 20 inches of snow on the ground and a low of -23°F this morning. I'm jonesing bad...
I'm not WORTHY! Still climbing the walls though. I have my perceptions as to carp reaction to others in the shoal getting caught. If you pick them off of the edges of the ones following the leader the group reaction is less than picking off the fish which are leading the pack or catching one out of the middle of the pack. If you play them too long and they run through the group I'm sure that doesn't do much for you either. Now is it body movement or chemical or a combination of the two? I think that we are all on the same page here, many things go into how they react.
I'm sure things like were they completely relaxed before hand or were they moments ago bothered by a predator. My guess is that the more disturbed they are the longer that it take for them to settle down. If they are putting on the big feed sack and have not been bothered recently, I'm sure they settle down much quicker.
Rick
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I can't wait for the water to warm up enough to hit the flats here. I have to admit I am jealous of the weather there
Scott, if you're in Dallas and you think that you are jealous of Lee's weather we should trade spots for a few days. It's Wisconsin here, it's snowing out right now - AGAIN. I keep telling myself that the weather has to break soon, just a few more weeks and we will be above freezing on a regular basis - ha.
Lee, congrats on the nice fish. This cabin fever stuff has me starting to crawl the walls more this year than in years past. I need to catch a fish in the worst way.
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Never heard Larry talk before, but it sounds like we both utilize similar tactics. Only he uses an indicator and I use the tip of my line as an indicator, or my sixth sense.
I was hoping to set up a booth at the MPLS show this year, but I've got way too many coals on the fire right now. Maybe next year....
I heard a booth was going for $800. Ouch! The show was the smallest that I have been to in the last 3 years. I think it was a sign of the times. Rick
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Hey, Wendy were you been man? We have been missing you around here. I went to the presentation which was interesting. Anytime that someone gives a talk specifically about carp fishing it is a good time. It's always interesting to see how others do it. The thing that hit me the strangest is that he uses an indicator to fish carp. My own experiences don't exactly jibe with that. I find many many takes where the carp just inhale the fly, don't move and then can spit it out before anyone even knew a take was there. Very different than trout fishing or bluegill fishing where you see that bobber bouncing. I pushed him to explain a little more, which I think some of the new guys could have easily been mislead by that. He then went on to talk about in moving water where the indicator would just pause for a moment. Then the light started to go on and I could see where we were not really that far apart, just different approaches for different people. I personally much prefer to sight fish, but it could be useful in certain circumstances.
Don't be a stranger Wendy, looking forward to reading some of your thoughts as the water goes from this hard stuff to something we can fish.
Rick
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Just came upstairs from a tying sesson. Had a good day behind the vise today, but I really need some open water and some temperatures as well. I feel your pain John. Can't wait to see some photos of some current fish from somewhere. Lee usually has a fix for me from Florida. This whole week it is not suppose to break the freezing point. I had some photos from fish taken last Feb 10th during a warm weather front so it could happen but the time frame will be a short window of opportunity. The shack nasties have set in, if it weren't for fly fishing BB or videos and fly tying I would be crawling the walls more than I am already. It would be nice to actually fish instead of talking about it.
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If you live within driving distance of St. Charles, IL (North of Chicago) there is a wonderful fly fishing show starting TODAY. To my pleasant surprise there is even a presentation on fly fishing for carp on Saturday:
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Skybox II
Larry Gavin
SMALL STREAM CARP: STRICTLY MIDWEST
Then a little later in the day there is this discussion:
1:00p.m.
Alliance for the Great Lakes
POLLUTION, WARMING, CARP: THE PROBLEMS
Both discussions at the same show made me smile.
Saturday is suppose to be a high of 20 F and a low of 5 so what else is there to do for a fly fisherman this time of year?
More can be found out about the show here: http://www.greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com./index.html
There is also a Minneapolis show in March.
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I think a posting over on the FFF would ruffle more feathers as well.
I've seen carp articles in the Federation of Fly Fisher's publication before. They are more about using a fly rod and TU is more about trout is how I see it. Never seen an article on carp fishing in a TU publication.
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Some truly beautiful sequences in there, thanks a lot for sharing. This guy loves to get wet. When he lets his reel rolling in the water, this is real cool. Also interesting to see that those carp get caught in such streaming water.
I've traveled to South Korea a couple of times, and yes, not quite near the top of the list of countries where I'd like to retire... Ahem...
This being said, carp fishing is pretty big out there, and I was really intrigued to see that I got more than 17,000 views coming from South Korea on my most popular underwater video!
When he stuck the reel in the water I had two thoughts one being that many reels drags will fail when wet and some high dollar reels at that. I could be wrong but I am thinking of one fisherman who said his Tibor's drag failed when wet. My second thought was that he was fishing with a reel that has a click and pawl drag system: (http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/matthews_brakejobs.aspx) That system doesn't have much resistance to line being taken out and that the water and the handle in the water actually allowed more resistance for the fish to pull against than if the reel was kept out of the water. Might look cool but for me I will take a good disc drag every single time.
Rick
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I've been out four times. They are there; and they are driving me CRAZY. Another guy that I sunk a hook into. I normall don't even take pictures of fish that I stick in the head and not the mouth but I have been working so hard for these guys and FREEZING MY REAR OFF. that I just had to snap the camera to remember how crazy I must be to be out there this time of year. It was 33 F while I chased these guys yesterday. The fish were just off the edge in the same spot. They are not up in the shallows like I found them before but just a little deep. I was blind casting and moving the fly as slowly as I could. It HAS TO BE just a matter of time before I land a legitimate one, Which this one was not.
Please warm up soon so the shack nasties go away.
Rick
Carp Report
in Carp on the Fly
Posted
Wonderful report with photos, congrats on some great captures.
Rick