Alright, I’ll admit it. Jake and I are by no means, at all, what you would call a “carp pro”. We struggle. Big time!
Well, we decided to avoid the typical Saturday crowds and head out in search of carp. We got our asses handed to us last summer chasing the “poor man’s bonefish” and for some odd reason we wanted to do it again…
A little background- Last summer Jake and I logged 8 trips to essentially the same spot last year and I caught two fish. Poor Jake went home skunked every time. I’ll repeat: We struggle with Carp!
We headed back out to the ol’ stomping grounds and right off the bat we started spotting fish. Lots of fish. We put together a game plan and decided it would be best for each of us to take turns fishing while the other spotted from above and directed the angler to the fish. This tactic was new to us, unlike last year where we would both be at the river, casting blindly and spooking fish (i.e – they moved off).
After four some odd hours of making fish “move off” and flat out getting even our best presentations rejected, I finally hooked up. It was a pretty classic eat. Tailing fish, casted above him, let it sink and I watched the fly go right into his feeding lane and he sucked it right up. Like he was suppose to!
FINALLY!
It took probably a minute for the fish to finally realize he had a hook stuck in his mouth and once that happened, all hell broke loose. The reel started to scream and the seven weight felt like it was bent to the cork. All my fly line left the reel in short order and the backing was next. (Note to self- don’t EVER be lazy and tie in a simple overhand knot from fly line to backing when you buy new line….) Thankfully my “knot” held just fine even after two big runs that took me well into my backing. After a 10-15 minute fight, the fish was finally brought to hand! Jake was there to run the camera and got some awesome photos. (Thanks for those pal)
We spent another four hours trying to get Jake a fish. But to no avail. I think a Carp is quickly becoming Jake’s Holy Grail of fly fishing. We’ll make it happen, soon. We’ll be sure to let everyone know when that happens!
All photos except the top one by Jake McGlothlin
