Carp 2 - Murdock 0 & Quote of the week

From an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and speaking of the common carp:

"From a fly-fishing standpoint, of all the species I've caught -- and it's considerable -- they're by far the most challenging," said Loughner. "They're the only fish that, whether they're nine pounds or 20 pounds, I'm guaranteed to see my [line] backing."

Saturday morning I hit the road early and drove the five or so miles from my home to the carp hole / bar and grill. I arrived at the location just as the sun was rising and the parking lot was once again deserted. A brief encounter with some active lawn sprinklers was all that stood between me and water that normally holds a large pod of big carp.

The usual holding spots were empty so I began walking the boardwalk all the while scanning the water looking for shadows on the shallow mud flat. Just as I reached the no trespassing sign the limits my range, I saw what had to be a 30 inch fish cruising a break in the flat. He was moving fast and I didn't even get a cast out before he was gone. It was disappointing and promising at the same time.

My next encounter came as I was walking back along the dock. I saw a good sized sunfish scooting out from under the walkway in a big hurry. It was followed shortly by a good sized large mouth bass. I quickly got a lesson in how spooky these fish can be when I saw the big bass visibly flinch the momentI raised my arm to shoot a cast in his direction. A sidearm cast wouldn't have worked in this situation as I had to worry about my backcast clearing the volleyball net behind me. This was going to be harder than I thought.

I got two more shots at carp before I had to head back home. Both times I got the fly in close and the fish moved towards it only to touch the fly with its lips and turn tail and run before I could muster a hook set. I had thought that "deodorizing" my fly by rolling it around in the mud would solve this problem, but I am guessing I still have a lot to learn about this sort of fishing.

I still haven't resorted to the french fry fly but I am getting closer with every unsuccessful trip.

Carp 1 - Murdock 0

With gas hitting 3.70+ per gallon around these parts and all trout streams being at least $75 away, I have decided to try to fish closer to home. Saturday morning I got up early and made my way a few miles from the house to what might best be described as a "suburban fishing hole." This particular spot is located behind a popular local watering hole and, aside from the vehicles of the few patrons who took taxis home, was for the most part deserted. During a recent "scouting" visit to this location (they have excellent Buffalo wings and the beverages are cold) I had noticed a few large carp patrolling the walkway which lines the lake shore.

I parked the car, rigged up my gear, selected what I thought to be a particularly carpy looking fly, and proceeded through the grass down to the edge of the lake. Once there I began walking the boardwalk which winds around the cove with a polarized eye watching for cruising carp.

It was only a few minutes until I spotted a big one moving silently through the water. I moved ahead of him on the walkway and then made a cast with my fly landing a good foot short of the strike zone. He ignored my offering completely never even giving it a glance as he went on his way. I moved to get ahead of him on the walkway and just as I got back into casting range noticed something I had not seen partially hidden in the bushes, a sign that read "Private Property - Owners and guests only beyond this point." I seriously contemplated ignoring the sign and moving the few feet beyond it that I needed to get into casting range. After all the sign was mostly covered up with bushes and a not visible no trespassing sign shouldn't really count. Should it? I could chalk it up as fighting for water rights for the common angler. Remembering my wife's constant admonition not to get thrown in jail, I wisely decided to stick to the (semi) public part of the boardwalk in front of the bar.

As the day continued I had several more shots at cruising fish and managed to get my fly in front of quite a few of them only to have them touch the fly with their barbels and then move away. It was as if to indicate that the flavor wasn't to their liking. I tried casting in front. I tried casting behind the ear in hopes of a reaction strike. I changed to other "carpy" looking flies. Just as I was starting to get frustrated, one of the dumber carp actually ate my fly. My rod went double and my reel began to scream and then went silent as the big fish seemingly spat out my fly and swam away.

Even though I wasn't able get a carp in the net I did learn quite a bit about what it can take to get one to take a fly. I don't plan on giving up trout completely but it's nice to know that I can sight cast for large fish just a few miles from home. As I was walking back to the car I met a gentleman walking his dog and he remarked that one of those carp would be quite a fight on a fly rod. I mentioned that I had not had much luck to which he replied that I might do better in front of a pub with a french fry fly.

I'll be busy checking my supply of pale yellow closed cell foam. Does peanut oil count as floatant?