This is my first ever carp on the fly.
I live near a lake that is FULL of these guys, and it has really gotten under my skin. I can't seem to get these guys to bite, no matter what I try. I can see them in the shallows, sometimes tailing, sometimes feeding on veg right at the surface, sometimes almost climbing up on the bank to eat grass!!!

I am dragging the bottom with wooly buggers (olive or brown), yellow wooly worms, small clousers, or whatever else looks like they should eat, with no visible effect at all. The water is very stained all of the time, and I have to cast very tight in to their location for them even to have a chance of seeing the fly (sometimes blowing up the fish and having to move to on). Then I am slowing my retrieve to the point I'm barely moving at all. My wife is about to have my committed because I'm so obsessed with CARP.

Still, it is a hoot, and every fish (I've caught all of 2) seems like a major victory. I know why Cliff hates them, and I love them. I just want info so that I can have a better chance at catching some more of them...

Thank you for your support

BTW, is this a common carp, or some other strain?

O god, you asked the question.

As Kevin Hutchison wrote: Fly Fishing the Texas Hill Country ...

"Now we step off the beaten path, join me if you wish...

...Out of the three I can attest to the maddening inability to catch on of them: the common Carp. If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked how to catch Carp on a fly, I would be a millionaire many times over...

...If and when I figure them out I'll let you know."

These guys are a challange. I'm trying to snag'em right now also. All I can say is wooly buggers only lead to frustration

Dude, if it were easy everyone would be doing it. That is a common carp btw. You know what is even more frustrating is getting the carp to chase, suck and you pull the fly back out of it's mouth. I did that like 5 times yesterday. But I also had the most picture perfect take that happened in slow motion and seemed like an eternity until I set the hook and caught him. I live in Grand Prairie, let's fish your spot one day

ScottEvil, come on out any time you like, and bring your yak. this lake is about 40 acres, and there are carp EVERYWHERE. The dam is lined with rocks, and in the evenings on the hottest days, they sun themselves on the rocks, LOL. Seriously, they get up in the rocks with their backs showing above the water, and feed on the green mossy slime that grows right at the waters edge. DRIVES ME CRAZY to see all of those fish right there, and not get a single one of them.

I think maybe I need professional help...

IF it's professional help you need, check in with LHD at trashonthefly.com. If he sees this, I'm sure he'll wade in with some info.

Kirk

I can help in a backward way.



If you'll note that they are probably not actually feeding on the moss on those rocks, and try to figure out what sort of critters they may be looking for in there, you'll be well on your way.

Well, I was kinda hoping LHD would speak up, since I know he is the leading expert on the subject.

I did notice the carp seem to be eating the yellow flowers that grow on the duck weed in and around the rocks... hence the attempt with the yellow wooly worms...

grendelmor,

Welcome to the world of Carping with the fly rod.

This time of year can be the most frustrating. The water temps are high, so there is plenty for the carp to eat, i.e. little critters that live in an over abundance of algae.

I can tell you in my experience, large flys this time of year such as Woolies will not get the job done on a consistent basis. I have found the smaller the fly the better, to an extent of course. A variety of bead head nymphs tied on #14-16 hooks can really be helpful. Red and black patterns do the best for me. Don't be afraid of the smaller hooks, they'll hold a 12+ pound carp just fine. In addition to nymphs, you may also want to pick up some small crawdad patterns, Copper Johns, San Juan worms in earth tones (especially after a rain) and it probably wouldn't hurt to pick up some blood worm patterns.

Also the fish in the summer are really spooky and have very keen eye sight. I would drop down to a 8-10# mono tippet (I make my own) so that it will camo a bit better. Finally, be very selective when casting to fish. Carp in the summers seem to travel in large pods so it can give the feel of fishing in a bath tube. But not so fast my friend, look for the fish that are actively rooting around on the bottom and making a combination of bubbles and mud plumes. Make an accurate cast about a foot in front of them. When he moves over the area where your fly is resting and makes a choking action, give a firm side action strip strike hook set. The key is to not hesitate to long which is going to require a type of risk reward system.

I've probably said some things on here that you already knew, but for the most part, get the right kind of flys, be persistent, and don't forget to post pics of the big ones I know you're bound to catch sooner than later.

P.S. Go easy on the bong dude.

Pastor Josh

First, it's a hookah, not a bong. Nothing illegal, just flavored tobaccos.

Second, thanks for the fly suggestions. The carp pictured took a #16
elk hair caddis off of the surface. They were feeding on the cottonwood
fluff that was floating on the surface about 3 wks ago.
It was cool to watch it swim over and suck it in.

I tie most of my own flies, so next time out I'll be
armed with some small nymphs and San Juan
worms.

Thanks for the info, just the kind of thing I was looking for.

Another question. Since the water is so murky, would a strike
indicator be helpful for this type of fishing?

run the fly on the bottom, within 12 inches of the mouth in gin clear water, 6 inches normal, 2 inches or less in dirty water.

photograph, rinse the slime off your hands, repeat.

persistence and experience is key, but the main thing is there are only four reactions to a fly from a carp you can see:

1) they'll spook like crazy

2) they'll eat it

3) they'll swim up to it, look right at it, and swim away. rare. very very rare.

4) nothing. most people worry too much about the nothing part thinking there is something wrong with their fly or leader. just keep working on the getting it close without invoking #1 and you'll start to have a lot more #2.

one more thing. it doesn't hurt to have a little karma working your way. you got to take other people out and let them have at least 65% of the shots. learning from other's mistakes doesn't hurt your image, either.

Long Haired Dave SPEAKS

more like 75%

I have a hard time fishing blind for carp on the fly. It almost has to be a sight fishing event. Try a small white (14-16) bugger or something like it. Try to figure out where the carp are headed and place the fly in advance. Wait till he gets close and shake it in front of him. The white fly will allow you to(hopefully) see when he sucks it in. Carp are opportunity feeders and usually wont chase down a fly but they sometimes eat it if it's in their face.