Are you ready to get everything you need to capture the elusive golden ghost? Fly fishing is no different and the tackle that is used will affect how well you are able to catch and fight these incredible fish. Most Carp fishing is done in freshwater scenarios where water temps are moderate, so choose a fly line that's built for freshwater fishing. Each one will be somewhat different in how they act and feed. My good buddy and fellow fly-bum, Whit Curry with an awesome Mirror during a recent road trip to Idaho. In most situations they require careful stalking and light presentations as to not spook them. It’s also important that you pay attention to how the carp is acting. This is Part 1 of a two (2) part instructional tutorial that I have put together to show you how to fly fish successfully for carp. Tying Recipe: This fly pattern was conceived by another pattern that I used to tie which was very similar but with a single piece of chenille out of the back like in the hybrid patterns. 3: Dubbing teaser- When tying with dubbing, in particular a pattern where you are using a dubbing that you want to look real "buggy". Did you know that there is more than one type of carp? That distance will allow the carp to spot the fly even when feeding heavily. The main strategy for catching these fish is that of 'stealth' and getting the fly in front of them without spooking the fish is imperative. In the rod categories you have the choice of a 'fast action' rod and 'slow action' rod, and everything in between. What was once labeled a worthless and trashy fish is now something anglers of all skill sets chase. You want to fish these flies underweight in very shallow water. As a species, carp are very intelligent, and anglers are convinced the fish learns how to evade capture. We offer non-bias information on equipment, give you full how-to guides on a various fishing methods. That being said, we will cover how to fish for carp by each species that can be found in most of the waters in the USA. There are anglers out there that happily refer to the humble carp as the golden ghost or golden bones. And it’s easy to understand why. This will aid in the line floating correctly. I was unsure of what it would really imitate, I would say some sort of invertebrate or a nymphal form of an insect perhaps. In the slower water there is a greater chance from the splash or the cast to potentially spook the fish. In the hot days of summer, especially on small still waters in the UK, trout can often sink into the depths be hard to catch, so for the fly angler carp can offer an interesting and exciting alternative. Eyes: Medium black bead chain eyes Collar: Orange guinea hackle, Thread: 6/0 Olive Tail: Ultra chenille in red, Body: Angora goat dubbing in an olive color, can also use senyos laser dub in an olive color, Eyes: Medium black bead chain Collar: Olive guinea hackle, Eyes: Medium black bead chain eyes Collar: Natural guinea hackle, Underbody: .030 lead wire, seven wraps on the hook shank, Body: Mcflyfoam glo bug material in various colors, Or cascade crest tools CCT body fiber trimmed to a sphere, Tail: Thin Fly Foam 1/8 Red, Punched with 1/16 hole punch tool mounted on 210 Denier White Thread for Tail, Hook: #10-12 down turned eye offset caddis/midge hook, Tail: two pieces of cream micro ultra chenille tied on either side of the shank of the hook. We hope you men take pleasure in the video. This adds a fun element to your fishing, and the carp will charge away once you manage to hook it. The carp will gather in the area feeding extremely aggressively on the falling bread that slips through the cracks of the feeding ducks. The faster action rods will give you a lot more power and pulling leverage on the fish when hooked, they will also produce a fast line speed. The carp would then be found in un-kept bodies of water throughout the USA. This line works well for beginner and expert anglers. This pattern is also tied with bead chain eyes and has been a really good fly for fishing the 'flats' on the lakes. We pride ourselves on offering you the best service & Australia's best fly fishing gear. If tied with the lighter eyes the amount of foam will prevent the fly from sinking down and it will just float on the surface. The fish has very large and round eyes that give it a constantly surprised look. Tying Recipe: Fly #3: Yellow/Tan hybrid (Fly on the far right in the above photo) The reason for the lighter coloration in this pattern is that in a situation where the bottom of the river/lake is all sand and a lighter color the fly looks really 'buggy'. As with any sport the gear that you use can make or break how you perform and how well you can then face the task. Carp have been proven to be one rather large puzzle to solve. He currently spends almost all of his free time chasing Carp in the local Los Angeles area urban rivers and back waters. Carp as a species are already extremely smart and seem to learn over time to evade capture. Once you start fly fishing for carp, you’ll see the puzzle is much bigger than you originally thought. The reason for that is in the calmer water the carp are a lot easier to spook and details make a difference. Not in the sense that he most expensive gear has to be used, but strong tackle and a good rig is important. When you combine the sheer challenge this fish poses with the ability to learn, it’s easy to see … Carp, which was not long ago widely seen as a species of "trash fish" only chased by fishermen wielding spinning rods with mish-mashed balls of corn meal and table scraps tied to the end of their line has reached fairly wide acceptance as one of the finest game fish available to anglers. The braided core gives you lower memory in every weather condition, and it has a slick outer coating to help the line go and come back to your rod smoothly. The body is a durable and corrosion-resistant anodized 6061-T6 aluminum that has CNC machining. The surge in popularity among fly fishing circles is due to the carp’s strength when you manage to hook one and their uncanny ability to avoid being caught. This will be the same principals we applied to fly fishing for carp in other bodies of water with slight variations. With the rods and reels covered all that is left is the fly line and leader system which is the last connection between you and the fish. Some anglers are convinced fishing for carp is just as challenging as fishing for Bonefish. Fly #1: Orange Hybrid (Second fly from the left in the above photo) Due to the coloration that was chosen for this particular pattern I have personally found the most success in fishing this fly near structure either in the urban rivers with rock banks where smaller crawfish are a lot more common and a main food source for the carp or in slower moving water where there isn't a lot of current. The thought behind the reasoning as to why it spooks the fish is that it is too bright of a pattern in a darker setting and doesn't really look natural. Within the past few years, fly fishing for carp has seen a huge surge in popularity. This picky fish isn’t always in the mood to … Carp don’t leap out of the water like Smallmouth bass, and they’re not a pretty fish like the brook trout is. It has a bigger diameter and a longer head to help you get accurate casts. He promotes fly fishing for carp through the Facebook page, Carp Champions. 4: Bodkin- For the most part this is just a big needle with a handle on it. They are the smoothest in feel when tying and help immensely in not breaking the thread mid tie. Once you step into the world of fly fishing that puzzle gets expanded drastically. I have caught countless carp, koi and grass carp on this very simple but effective pattern. This will usually dictate their most likely primary food source. Do your research and see what is in the body of water you want to fish. An aggressive fly line will be needed to flip over the flies and get them to a target accurately. If the fish is feeding heavily and has its face in the mud then focus on a small area to place the fly. Based in Cumbria he combines his love of fishing with being outdoors enjoying all aspects of the countryside. (From left to right in the photo below) Go Fly Fishing for Carp in Sulpher, Oklahoma. The attraction to any style of fishing would be the challenge that it presents and the puzzle that has to be solved to overcome that challenge. Carp can be caught on an old school click and pull reel or one of the higher end reels. In faster currents, as in urban areas or natural rivers, the faster water will impede the fly getting down to the bottom when tied with bead chain eyes and so heavier dumbbell eyes will need to be used. Then with the pink tail it looks like a worm or some other form of invertebrate that is moving along the bottom. If you accidentally cast too hard and your fly smashes into the water, it’ll scare the carp away. At Trout Flies, we have a huge collection of fly fishing flies, like our Carp Flies! I had a thought of maybe tying the fly with two tails rather than one and it absolutely crushed it on the water, and is now one of my top flies I reach for when I am deciding on what to throw first. The standard rod lengths will be 9 feet, over all that will be the 'go to' rod length for your general carp fishing experience. The variation in the tip material will be the most relevant, as it will make or break your thread. Slower strips once the fly has hit the bottom will imitate a crawfish trying to get away from danger while drawing minimal attention to itself. Some waters where you will persue carp may not be the cleanest. In the persuit of an extremely spooky fish a fast line speed may not always be something that is wanted. Carp fly fishing presents a unique challenge and a puzzle that thousands of anglers are desperate to overcome by hooking their own carp. Once it gets a decent distance away, let it sink. Because of their growth and hardiness they would populate a water quickly and would then be taken out or exterminated due to their quick reproduction cycle. Due to the various colors that it is sold in and can be tied in the options are endless. This style of carp fishing is the most like saltwater fly fishing in that it calls for reliable boats, poling platforms and heavy rods. The carp are big, migratory and very predatory. Jeff has also worked his way up to the position of assistant manager at Bob Marriotts Fly fishing Store in Fullerton, California; a dream job indeed and the envy of many a Fly fishing enthusiast. These fish are extremely powerful, and although the rod is your immediate connection with the fish the reel is going to be what gives you the stopping power. Carp are vary wary fish and spook easily and so an extra foot or two of distance between you and the fish can be extremely helpful in some situations. With the recent surge in popularity for carp fly fishing, it’s almost a guarantee that the carp will continue to learn and get more challenging to catch. The advantages to fishing a fiberglass rod for carp is the slower action to the rod that fiberglass will give. In situations where the carp will be of a larger size, pushing 20 pounds for example an 8-10 weight will give the angler more leverage in controlling the fish. Fly fishing for carp has totally changed my fly fishing mindset. Brighter colored fly lines are also something to stay away from. The drag system will put the pressure on the fish and tire it out quicker, so making the fish easier to land. We have used a fly cast between the reeds and just 6 inches from the bank and had large carp hit our flies, the leader was just draped over the bank! Instead, you get a rubber-mouthed, coarsely scaled bottom feeder. To do this, you drag your fly away from where the carp is. Program, an affiliate advertising program which we earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Natural colors or a color scheme that doesn't stand out too prominently is something to look for when picking out a fly line. In watching the fly, even when not being able to see the carp, once the fly has disappeared then something has taken it. Usually within a 10''-12'' radius from the carps mouth. Fishing other Western states such as Utah, Colorado, Arizona along with steel head fishing in Northern California and local inshore and offshore saltwater fly fishing has helped hone his skills. The 'drag and drop' technique, for getting the fly to the fish without spooking it, is one of the most effective ways of getting the fly into position. Fly fishing for carp has been gaining popularity within the past couple of years and what was once considered a trash fish is now something that is pursued. When you get to seven weight and above, the reel seat switches to a more durable anodized aluminum reel seat. Fly fishing for carp is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. I have found the most success in the white, cream, tan, orange and pink/peach colorations across the species board. There is something special about seeing a 15-25 pound fish swimming in skinny water that you can sight cast to! These will also come in multiple lengths and sizes all with different applications for specific situations. Carp Capers. As with the rods there are a lot of reels on the market today and the biggest factor for you in carp fishing will be the actual drag system. Dapping with this fly is really similar to tight line nymphing for trout. Relatively basic tool but extremely functional and useful when tying up patterns. 1 / 5 Andy Bolch South East QLD 2 / 5 Dan Ivanoff Kosciuszko National Park NSW 3 / 5 John O'Brien Blowering Dam NSW 4 / 5 Jimmy Gummer, Perth Metro WA 5 / 5 Catching Carp on the Fly Who would have thought that one of our most damaging introduced pests would evolve into one of our most adored fly fishing targets! Carp have specific food sources and feeding patterns they like more than others. A more complex drag system does not necessarily mean that it will be the best reel of choice for your situation. This is a medium-fast action rod that will work well in saltwater and freshwater. When you go into two or four feet of water, switch to bead-head or lightly weighted versions of the flies. On a side note the color of the reel can also be a factor in which reel is selected. 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