As I'm walking up the bank, I spot a beautiful big Carp rooting around a wood pile. His head is as big around as a football. I have a small white bead chain fly in front of a Lil Bugger. I make my first cast and it's short, but the Carp doesn't move. I make another cast, almost perfect, I feel a tug and set the hook. The next thing I know, a small Gill is flying past my face. The dink took the Bugger. I look back and the Carp still hasn't left. I continue to watch him as I tie on a Backstabber. I make another cast and as I drag the fly past him, I snag a stick. As I pull it back in, the fish finally decides to move and swims along the bank right past me. I freeze and watch him swim out to mid-river and start feeding next to a large rock. I sneak over and make a cast but no take. Another cast no take. A third cast and I see him move toward the fly, I feel a tug and set the hook. A 3" SM comes flying past my face and I watch the big boy slide into deeper water never to be seen again.
SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!