Towards the end of a very successful day stalking carp I decided to try an odd technique I was shown a couple of years ago. First you casually stalk out onto a bridge, lean over the edge and sight some carp. Pretty easy so far right? Now perch yourself on the edge of the bridge and try getting a fly into the zone 30 to 40 feet directly below you while fighting current, wind and gravity. Try detecting the take and setting the hook. Somehow figure out how to keep a peeved carp on your hook and out of the pilings while you scramble desperately for the end of the bridge and claw your way down to shore. All in all it is not the thing for me but it was kind of interesting!
This is far from routine but the oddest part was that while carefully orchestrating a picture of my first bridge carp I realized I had not removed my fly. Except I was somewhat sure I had removed my fly and absolutely sure that my fly was not huge and olive. I was momentarily dazed and confused. Anybody missing a NearNuff Crayfish? Partially used, but still in good condition!
That had to be tough. Keeping the fish on while navigating down to the water. You carp guys amaze me. You make it sound and from the pics look easy.
ReplyDeleteNow that would make an interesting video. Great pic by the way!
ReplyDelete@Kev - I wouldnt say easy. I would say easier than last year. And butta compared to the year before that.
ReplyDelete@Ty - Thanks, I liked that pic quite a bit! Video would have been comical since I spent a good part of the battle trying to untangle and re-untangle from treelimbs that brush against the side of the bridge while trying to get to the end.
The carp in my work pond are totally pi$$ing me off. They won't even look at my fly and if they touch my leader they bolt. Do you use sinking line? I've caught all my fish before with floating line but I think it's getting in the way. If the fly was on the bottom I think there would be less of a chance to spook the fish. I also think the carp can sense or see the leader dangling in the water down to the fly. They stir up so much mud I can't even friggin see if they take my fly or not. I usually end up pegging them with the fly on accident. I have to hand it to you guys. A lot of carp fishing is casting accuracy and patience.
ReplyDeleteKev: Floating. I experimented a little back in MI with an intermediate. Total bust, didnt work out at all for me. Keep with it, the ones that are just slowly and methodicly grazing through the mud in a straight line stirring up a ton of mud can be super tough sometimes because might be really sleep grazing like cows and neither notice or care about your fly. I call them muck suckers and when they are acting like that is when I personally think they are the hardest.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence McTage. I definitely will keep after them.
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