I just recently got back into to fly fishing, and when I say recently, I mean with in the past week or two. I happened to meet one of the Fellow TFFR's on the water about a month or so ago, and he was fishing for the white with a fly rod. We talked pretty much all that day. He told me what he fly fished for, pretty much anything that would bite, but he liked fishing for Carp. I was bewildered at first but he proceeded to explain. We parted ways, but kept in touch.

Now to the GREAT part, I went home and was talking with my 17year old son, and his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, he was hooked and we haven't even tried this out yet. I dug my old St. Croix fly rod out, Broken tip! I called on my new found friend and we discussed the issue, he said he could probably fix it, but would be a little different casting, (not that I would know the difference, I hadn't been fly fishing in 20 years). Ended up going and buying a new rod, bought my son a set up, and the practice started in the front yard. We looked like a couple of goons out there.

SO then I get a text from him that he is going to head out on a scouting trip and he asked if my son and I would like to come along, WHY HECK YEAH!!!! So I talked with my son and he was ecstatic, he hadn't quit talking about it since I first told him. So we met up and it was THICK. We got in the boat with our unpaid guide and we poled around, seen a lot of Spawning fish, gar, LMB, and a catfish we think. My son threw at a few, and I got up on the platform so he could give my son some instruction. I looked and felt like a moron up on the platform trying to pole us around, stayed stuck in trees, ran up on the fish, but I finally somewhat got it down. Then we spotted the ONE, we got the boat right, and we watched and waited for the right opportunity. Then it happened, my son made a few cast, then the perfect cast happened,( at least in my eyes). The carp took the fly, he set the hook and it was on, first time out, first carp, or any fish on the fly for that matter, and when he got the fish in, I couldn't tell who was happier, my Son, Me, or my new Fly fishing coach Capt. Mac. WE were so happy, I couldn't quit smiling, my head started swelling up seeing my son catch his first fish on the fly. I was glad he wasn't on the phone or over at his GF's house.

I wish I could figure out how to post pictures, but im sure Capt. Mac will read this and post a few. Needless to say, we are addicted all thanks to Capt Mac. I highly suggest that if anyone gets a chance to fish with this man, or even just talk with him, take it no questions asked. He spent all his time teaching and coaching my son through his first fish and I could see improvements, he didn't even wet a fly during the process.

All I can say is Thank you for the learning and I hope we can get together soon and do it again.

WOW. Super cool story. Thanks for sharing.

You sir, are a pleasure to fish with. And your son is going to make a fly fisherman. He has a quiet energy about him that will get you excited. I could tell by the questions you both asked that the two of you had been thinking about carp fishing for a while and i am thrilled i waas able to be there when it happened. I am so extremely happy he was able to bag one - the conditions were tough, tough and to make a cast in all that flooded junk and drop a fly on a fish after hours of trying just shows his determination and patience. He will be a fine ambassadore to the sport. I cant wait for our next opportunity to stalk the flats again. And how neat was it that you got to pole him onto his first carp. As you discovered, push poling a boat accuratly is about as challenging as casting to a fish in shallow water ( sometimes even more so). I'll remeber this day for a long time.

Good stuff...thanks for sharing!

That is fabulous! I really like hearing about folks who are willing to do this for others.
Capt. Mac you are a stand up guy!

If you don't mind me asking, where do you usually go for carp around here? I would really love to go on a guided trip with you, but can't afford it at the moment as I'm going through some tough times. I've really been wanting to go after some carp though, but I really don't know the first thing about where to go or what to look for. I'd love to hear back from you.

Thanks.

Seminole - PM sent.

That's a great story and a nice fish. Glad you guys could get on them!

Very cool!

to a lake and in the grass