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I went out to the lake on a Thursday
lunch hour. The weather had turned hot
and I knew that chances for success were
not great, but it is more fun than being
inside. I headed off to the flat that is
between the road and the one jetty. I figured
a few fish might be along the breakline.
When I got down to this spot, I could see
several carp swimming just under the surface
about 30 feet out. What a time to be tempted
to cast for carp. I have caught some carp,
but have never had one turn and take a fly that I
had cast out. I figured this was a good day to try.
I tied on a llama hair fly that I had tied a
lot like a Hares Ear. This fly was not weighted.
I cast it out and was letting it drop when a
carp swam toward the fly and took it in without
stopping. I had tied it with wild llama hair
and it looked a little like some of the fluff
that was drifting across the lake.
In any case the carp did not like the feel
of the hook when I sat it. The carp headed
for the other side of the lake. I finally
got the fish to turn and start swimming parallel
to the shore I could not gain any line, but I
was not losing any. This tug of war went on
for several minutes. I finally could start to
gain some line as the fish was beginning to tire.
When I got the fly line back on the reel, I
could see the fish swimming out in the lake.
There were several other carp around it.
I continued to gain line on this fish and
had it about 20 feet from shore when he
decided to run again. This run was
significantly shorter and I could gain the
line back faster. I finally got the fish
near the shore and picked a spot to bring
the fish onto the shore. This fish measured 23
inches in length. Great fun to catch. I was
getting ready to put him back in when a car
stopped. Two Asian gentlemen got out of the
car and asked if they could have the fish.
With all the carp I know are in this lake I
thought this was a good use of this fish.
I had time left so I decided to try again.
I cast the fly out about 35 feet and let it
touch down on the surface. It had landed about
3 feet behind a carp. This fish turned and
inhaled the fly. I was not ready for this and
the fish was in high gear before I really
reacted. I did not need to set the hook, just
hang on and try to turn the fish. I knew that
this fish was bigger than the first one. This
fish stayed deeper and made several short
runs. Every time I got the fish to where I
could see it, he could see me and thought I
was too ugly to be near. He would then take
off on another 30 to 40-yard run. It was a
real the fight to get the line back in. The
fish finally got tired and I was able to bring
him near the shore. One of the Asian gentlemen
was there with a net and scooped him up. This
one measured 28 inches long. What a blast to catch.
I then came to the dilemma. Head back to the
office early, or try for another fish. For me
it was a no brainer and I sent the fly out again.
There was a big school of fish swimming around
some vegetation that is in the lake. I dropped
the fly in an opening in that area. A cooperative
carp took the fly just after it hit the water.
He did not like the idea of there being a hook
in that meal.
This fish really went into high gear and headed
for parts unknown. I was not sure that I would
get the fish turned before I ran out of line. I
finally put more pressure on the fish and got
it to turn.
The fish then began to flop around on the surface.
I was not sure that the line would stand this,
but there was not a lot I could do about it. It
did attract the attention on two guys in a boat.
They came over to see what it was and when they
found that it was a carp, then told me that it
was a trash fish. I told them that it was a fun
fish to catch. I don't think that they bought
that, and they left to fish for the real sport fish.
The fish finally started to tire and I got it
in near the shore. This was the largest carp
I have ever had on the line. We got it netted
and we measured it. It came out to be 37 inches
long. I had to hurry as I was late getting back
to the office. Fortunately I did not have a
patient scheduled, but I got a phone call
shortly after I returned.
I will be targeting carp more during the summer
as I know they swim across this flat. If any of
you have good suggestion for flies to use on blind
casting please let me know.
Hope you can get out on the water. ~ Rick ziegeria@grm.net
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