So I am on a family trip in Glenwood Springs. We are having a blast but me being me I keep looking at the Colorado flowing by the hotel and wondering. Even at this altitude it already has a carpy look to it. I suspect the chalky brown color to the water is the norm but I still wonder. How far to the nearest carp and are they reachable with a fly? I have heard rumors and rumblings but know nothing. I remember canoeing the Colorado in Grand Junction as a youth. Those vaguely pleasant memories scream carp on the fly to my adult self, but I could be a state or two from the Colorado River carpin for all I know. Knowledge is power my friends and I am powerless.
As far as I know it's largely brown water there with some large rainbows, and whitefish. I'd love to explore near Grand Junction myself.
ReplyDeleteGregg
Sounds about right Gregg. Really pretty area and stretch of river. May even go beck with trout gear someday. Been a while since I caught whitefish after all.
DeleteEnjoy the family time Trevor. Carp time will here back soon.
ReplyDeleteNext saturday to be precise! CarpSlam here I come.
Deletegood-size carp on the Loma-Westwater stretch, caught them on tortilla scraps for bait; but never seen the water at better than 1-2" visibility..
ReplyDeleteWe also caught some round-tail chub (endangered). I wrote to the fisheries biologist who said he has caught the chub on flies suspended below an indicator, so theoretically it should be possible for carp too. I'll try on the next trip.
I've pottered around Palisade-Grand Junction in a canoe, did not see carp on any of those trips though.
Once the Roaring Fork comes into the Co at Glenwood, temps drop below what a carp would prefer, not much for carp up there I'd expect.
So looking at something on the order of 100 miles to confirmed carp but as I thought visibility a major issue even then. Curiosity satiated, thanks a ton Doug!
ReplyDeleteI live in ct but was just on a trout float on the Colorado from grand junction to silt last week. We were also in pursuit of carp. Check out Taylor creek fly shop in basalt if you head back, they have a carp report on their website. Those guys fish the collie for carp all the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Colin. I will check out Taylor Creek fly shop for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou bet. They are awesome guys.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog. I fish my home river (the housatonicOrin ct. for carp with marginal success. Always looking for good tips and secrets. You have any tips for when they are layed up? That is the condition I usually find them in. Tough for me to get any interest.
Colin - When they are laid up shallow one way is to sneak up real close. Sometimes when they are laid up you can do this, sometimes not, depends on the mood. Then you need to dink a light fly with lots of action (unweighted worm, unweighted soft-hackle) and zero splash (close is key)right in front of thier face so that it flutters down in thier field of view. Sometimes they will wake up and either trigger inhale or charge the fly. Keep on eye on those lips, if they flare, pause and set the hook! If you can't get close a totally unweighted egg pattern that lands like a feather, sits there until it absorbs some water and then drops super slowly seems to be another option. They can be allot of fun because when they wake up it is startling.
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