Carp in the Dark

After my first day of work today, I was kind of tired and a little annoyed with nobody responding to anything I sent them.  I had told Bobby I might want to fish Sunday, and ended up heading out for a session in the evening.  It was definitely good for me to get out and do something.  This was definitely the best day of fishing I've had this year.

We went to the main pond, where we found two other teenagers out fishing.  Bobby set up catfish rods, and I caught two quick bass on poppers.  After this, I switched quickly to the crayfish fly that has been killing it recently, but with only two more fish.  Bobby began fishing with a Zoom fluke, and began absolutely demolishing fish.  Every other cast he caught one.  He caught so many fish that the other guys there had to ask him what he was using.  Eventually, with all the racket going on, I decided to walk across the road to the carp pond.  Best decision of the day.

I went over, and immediately saw tailing carp.  I got three shots at one fish sitting on the bank, but it seems he didn't see my fly.  I continued walking, taking more shots at carp when I heard Bobby yell my name.  I tried to pull my fly in, but found a 9 inch bass took it.  When I finally got over to the main pond, a 14 pound catfish was sitting next to the bank.  While not the biggest I've seen, it's been a long time since someone caught a catfish out of this pond.


After the photo session was done (all photos taken with my DSLR.  I think just shooting through a camera instead of a phone just makes you think about your shot, making all your pictures better.) and the beast was released, I sprinted back to the carp pond.  It was getting dark fast.  I took more shots to tailing fish than I'd ever had before.  Almost all these fish were right on the bank, and looking down for food so much they didn't notice me sneak up on them.  I got at least a dozen casts at feeding carp with less than a foot of fly line out of my rod tip.


Eventually, it was time for me to take my sunglasses off.  It was so dark I could barely see the bottom of the pond right in front of the bank.  It was about 9:30 at night.  For reference, I took the sunset photo on this entry about 15 minutes before this.  As I was walking, I saw a swirl, and a dark shadow that looked just like a small carp.  I flipped a cast over, and he turned away.  After two more, I lobbed a desperation cast over his head and dragged it in front of him, then let the fly drop.

How anybody ever knows when a carp takes the fly is beyond me.  The first two I caught, I just knew.  I felt nothing, saw nothing, heard nothing to make me think the carp had my fly.  But somewhere, I just knew.  That's what happened here, too.  Without even thinking the carp had my fly, I set and went tight.  Fish on!

This carp was fairly lame.  On the 8 weight, he gave up quickly.  Only about 3 pounds.  But as dark as it was, I'll call it a success for sure.  With any carp, if you get them in quick enough, they aren't happy in shallow water.  My carp always seem to roll and thrash the closer to the bank they get.  It's inconvenient, but none of mine have broken a line or come off the hook yet.  I got my 3rd common on the fly.  The photo to the left was edited with a quick exposure change so you can actually see.  It was pretty dark. 

Since the person who lets us fish here wants us to thin down the carp population, I gave my fish to Bobby.  He's got a pond in his neighborhood with few fish in it, and wants to begin stocking it with interesting species to make a good all around pond to fish all summer.  Judging from the immense flats in the pond, It'll make good carp habitat.  After we filled a 5 gallon bucket, Bobby transported the fish and released him into his pond.  I was able to lighten my mood with fishing, as usual.  I'll never grow tired of being outside and getting to catch fish.  An incredible day.

Last Day of School, First Day of Fishing

Finals just ended yesterday with a tough physics final.  I can't believe that my junior year is over.   I'm going to be applying to college soon.  Things are moving way too fast.

Although I had to go take SAT tests the next day, I decided to just spend my time out on the pond in celebration.

As soon as I got to the pond, I saw a decent 3 pound bass on the bank.  Only, it wasn't there of its own volition.  As I continued watching it swim in small circles, I realized that it was attached to a line that was snagged in the tree.  I carefully went to the bank, grabbed the tree branch and pulled the bass ashore.  It had a Rat-L-Trap stuck in its lip.  I removed the hardbait and sent the fish out to its home.  I didn't catch it, but that counts as a fish!





I walked around the pond once with a craft fur minnow on my 6 weight and caught a few here and there.  They fought fairly hard, and most were over 2 pounds. 

While pulling in a decent 2 pounder, A massive shadow started slowly following it.  The bass had to be over 5.  I immediately pulled in my catch, released it and sent my fly back out to the big one.  After three quick casts, I got hit.  I strip set and began fighting the fish.  It dove deep, trying to bury me in the weeds.  After a few short minutes of tug, its tactic worked, and the fly pulled out.

While this was going on, a massive tail emerged from a weedbed on the other side of the pond.  It was the 13 lb carp that I transplanted from the carp pond across the street.  I made a mental note to come back with an 8 weight so I could handle the thick weeds.

As I made my way to grab my 8 weight, I saw the orange koi again.  He was sitting and sunning behind a massive bed of cattails, and I wanted to drop an egg pattern on his nose and see if he'd take it.  Unfortunately, he disappeared as soon as I came back with the 8 weight.

I walked carefully back around to the other carp.  I could tell this would be very tricky.  This weedbed allows about two places to let a fly hit the bottom, and any other presentation would have been ignored judging by this carp's aggressive tailing.  He wanted what was on the bottom, bad.

After I spent 10 minutes watching his tailing pattern, he lined up his head right at an opening.  This was my chance.  I put the fly right past his nose, and to my surprise, felt two strong pulls.  I strip set, but just a little late, and came up with nothing but weeds. 

I continued watching the carp for the next hour and a half.  I took a few casts with no takes.  Occasionally, the carp would disappear entirely for 10 to 15 minutes at a time under the weed mat.  When this happened, I took a popper and fished for bass.  I took casts when I had windows, but for the most part, my chance was blown.

I saw a bass tailing, and put a crayfish fly on my 6 weight.  Bass just charged it as soon as it hit the water.  I might have to use that more often. 

Hopefully I'll get to fish some more this summer, but for now, its back to work on Monday.

Southern Trout, Cold water

Over my spring break, I spent a few days in Atlanta, Georgia staying with my uncle.  While I was there, I visited Georgia Tech, and also managed to head to the Chattahoochee River for some trout fishing.

When I reached the bridge I was fishing at, it took some time to figure out which way the river was actually flowing.  This thing is big.  Easily over 100 feet across, but in some areas easily wadeable. I only saw a few holes over 6 feet deep. 

After fishing around for over an hour,  I waded back to shore near a logjam.  Sitting on a ledge 5 feet over,  I saw a rainbow holding in about 8 feet of water under the logs.  I cast my rig, only to get refused,  I tried stoneflies, pheasant tails, strymphs, worms, and a whole host of flies.  Finally, I tied on an olive wooly bugger with dumbell eyes that Charles tied for me years ago.  He hit it twice, and on the second eat I connected.

The fish wasn't too special, being a hatchery rainbow a little over 12 inches.  A little creative photo editing brought out some extra color that was obscured by the cloudy day and poor light. 

After that, I found another logjam.  All day I had seen big splashes off the point of the logs, but the only way to get to it was by climbing over the logs in more than 10 feet of water.  That wasn't the best idea.  I made my way around, and while on the largest log, the bark under my hand snapped off, leaving me off balance and sending me sliding in.  The water was frigid, but I easily climbed back  up onto the log and was able to get back to shore.  I decided to cut the fishing short there.  I'll always wonder what was making those giant splashes by the logs.

Until next time.  Maybe I can get some more trout next year.

A Cold Day of Fishing

Yesterday I went out fishing again.  It was hardly any nicer outside, still a cold 50 degrees with chilly wind.  It has been raining so much that you can see where the real bank should be, but water is up 6 to 8 inches.

 I called up Bobby and Charles and had them come to my pond.  They hammered jerkbaits and jigs while I stripped black jig buggers, but with no results.  Charles had a few fish come take a fancy black jerkbait fly concoction he dreamt up.  The action is there, but the hooksets weren't.  Might have to make one with a mini octopus trailer hook.








We walked across the street to the carp pond, which was muddier than expected.  We actually saw a few carp as we walked around.  I cast out the jig bugger and hooked into something.  Upon further inspection, we found it was a white crappie.  Interesting catch in a pond, but both species of crappie reside here.  Charles caught a "bass" that was about 12 inches.  Later in the evening, I moved a big 3 pounder close to the bank, but never hooked up.

We moved back to the other pond, and Charles had a nice bluegill tail-slap his jerkbait and get snagged.

After Bobby had to leave, Charles and I traveled to some other ponds.  Charles has caught a 6 lb 14 oz bass out of one of them before.  Unfortunately, I think all the ponds were just too high, muddy, and cold for the bass today.

Hopefully next weekend.

First Fish of 2018

This morning for three hours, I went to the local Orvis for a fly tying marathon.  It was a charity event, and all flies tied were donated to Project Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery.  I ended up tying a fairly good amount of flies that are all going to great programs.  I am happy to know that I can do something to help those in need.]

These programs go to benefit women with breast cancer and veterans.  The programs provide all gear and flies and take these people out fly fishing, which is therapeutic in itself.  Many program participants take up fly fishing as a lifelong hobby after the program.

Afterwards, I called Bobby and had him come to the neighborhood pond to fish.  Temps have been in the 40s to 60s all week.

We fished around for awhile, with bobby using a jig while I casted black streamers.

I got a decent hit and fought the fish in to find a rather large bluegill

Bobby picked up two bass on a jerkbait later in the day, while I hooked and missed one.








Hopefully I'll be fishing more tomorrow.  The weather is supposed to be nicer and hopefully the fish will be interested in eating

.

Indianapolis Boat Sport and Travel show

This past weekend, I spent all of my time away from home.  Thursday and Friday I visited a college and stayed with a friend who goes there.  Saturday, I attended the Indianapolis Boat, Sport, and Travel show for the second year in a row.

This is a massive show that attracts hundreds of people.  I wouldn't have gone if not to see Jeff Currier, a legend in the sport of fly fishing.  He is the only American to win an individual medal in the world fly fishing championships.  He is a representative for Simms, Scientific Anglers, and Yellow Dog.  Even more so, he is an incredible guy and something of a mentor to me.  He gave talks this year about fishing photography, trout fishing in yellowstone national park, and fly fishing for carp.  As usual, I was very impressed with his knowledge base and incredible life experiences in the sport.  Jeff has helped me by answering my questions and helping me become a better fisherman for over two years.

 I remember discovering his blog in late 2013, while he was on a tigerfish trip in Tanzania.  His blog was the inspiration behind my writing of this one now.  I still can't believe years later that I've been fortunate enough not only to meet him, but to hear his presentations, have him draw on a fly box, and assist me in my quest for fishing knowledge over the years.  I can only say that Jeff has been a great help to me and I come back to this show as long as I know he'll be there.  Jeff, if you read this blog, think of it as a thank you for everything you've done.  I look forward to seeing you again next year for another great show!

Charles was grounded for something this year and was unable to attend.  I ended up spending most of my time hanging out and talking with Jeff and the guys from Wildcat Creek Outfitters.  We were going to go see the snake exhibit the DNR puts up, but unfortunately it only runs every other day.  Apparently Kevin VanDam was there Friday, but I missed him.  Gerald Swindle gave a great talk I wasn't expecting.  His main message was positive thinking and hard work, something I think everybody can learn from.  He preached about not searching out sponsorships but instead doing the fishing and letting your experience get your sponsorships for you.  In a bass fishing world driven by large companies and anglers scrambling for sponsorship opportunities at younger and younger ages, I really liked hearing these words from a professional bass fisherman.

At the end of the day, I ended up coming back with more knowledge from Jeff and a new SA fly line.  The guide told me it was a Streamer Express, but I can't seem to find a line that matches the description.  It must be long discontinued, because I don't see and streamer express lines with a sinking tip and intermediate running line.  Either way, this like should serve me well if I ever get to catch lakers in Yellowstone like Jeff spoke about.  I might use it to strip streamers in Eagle Creek reservoir for bass.  We'll just have to see.

Heartland Fly Fishing Show

Sorry for the late post.  Lately I've been sick, cross-training, and found out I had a stress fracture.  Two weekends ago Charles, his uncle, and I went to the Heartland Fly fishing Show in Lebanon.  This is the first year in a couple we've had a dedicated fly fishing show.  Two years ago we had one at the same time as the boat sport and travel show.  Last year notable speaker Jeff Currier was the only fly fishing speaker there.  Although he is still coming back to the boat sport and travel show, it was nice to have a dedicated fly-fishing show for the weekend.

The show was quickly put together by a local fly shop and some others; however, it was very well done.

Surprisingly, I guess I didn't take any pictures of the show.  My descriptions won't do it justice, and I'm sure I'll forget some details.

We saw an incredible presentation about Patagonia fly fishing in southern Chile and Argentina.  The presentation was given by the local fly shop owner, Chad, who also co-owns two lodges in the region: Cinco Rios and Estancia del Zorro.  The place looks incredible.  It's like Alaska, Kamchatka, and New Zealand rolled into one without any drawbacks.  One particular thing that looks super fun is an ambulance that was converted into an all-terrain vehicle after being bought from the Chilean Government.  It sleeps two anglers and a guide and allows for multi day trips into the middle of nowhere.  I like adventure, and that sounds like a bucket list trip for me!

We were able to cast more than a few rods.  We tested a Scott Radian 9' 5 weight that was easily one of the most comfortable rods I've casted.  The cork grip's swell runs further towards the front of the grip, which for me makes it super easy to cast with a very relaxed grip.  I threw a 5 weight fly line probably 65 feet outside on a blustery January day.

We also got to test the new Helios 3 rods and they live up to the hype.  For sure the best tracking and best feeling rod ever!  I can't even explain how precisely I was able to cast with this rod.  It's so light it feels like an extension of your arm and it flexes just enough to chuck a fly line but it's just fast enough to be a perfect all around rod.  I don't know how they do it.  Until I have a 6-figure salary I'll be using the TFO and Redington rods, but I can't wait to see them improve upon what the've done so far.

We also saw an AMAZING new rod from TFO called the drift.  Essentially, it uses extra rod segments to become one of 5 different rods: 9’ 3 weight, a 10’ 3 weight rod, an 11’ 3" 3 weight, or a 12’ 3" microspey.  The coolest part is that you can add in the extra sections without ever having to re-string the rod.  The guides are made so you can pass a loop through them from the outside, so you never have to take reel up all your line and re-string the new rod.  For trout fishermen who fish a three weight and want to high-stick nymph or swing streamers on varying water sizes or at varying distances, this could be a game changer.

Among other booths, we ran into Frankenfly, Chuck Kraft,  and numerous other tiers, guides, lodges, and companies touting their new products, flies, or just their friendship and expertise.

Overall, this was a great show.  Hope this wasn't a bore to read.  Next year I'll take some pictures. (and hopefully next month for the Boat Sport and Travel Show!)