One Mean Carp on a Fly

This was the only fish I was able to catch this evening, but it was a fun one. There was a massive blow-up when I hooked the fish, so it was obvious from the on-set this was a big fish. The common carp immediately went into the backing and burnt my fingers when I tried to stop it from going around a pier support. It was only an 8-minute fight, but very trying as the fish did not want to come to the net. I have caught bigger fish, but not many with more attitude. The fish was released to fight another day.

Awesome catch Barry! Love those feisty Carp

Those carp can really fight. Caught a huge one one day at PK crappie fishing a dock. Guess he thought my white jig was some bread. I tink he out fought any LM bass I ever caught.

Carp fight much harder than largemouth bass. I have never had a largemouth bass go into my fly reel backing, but carp do it all the time.

what type of fly were you using? Ive only ever caught 1 carp on the fly, when i was going for rainbows, with a wooly booger...so needless to say it was by accident...... if i ever try to target carp with a backstabber, or something else, I never get them to bite....but yes, catching a carp on the fly is an awesome experience. nice job!

Nice fish. Would have loved to have seen the fight!

Awesome fish, Congratulations!! - especially on a fly and a flyrod.
Surprised to see a reel on that rod!! What happened to the plnor method??

I use my Carp Slayer Fly. I have floating and sinking versions.

I use all different methods when I am after records (rod and reel, fly rod, Plnor, handline, bow and arrow, etc.). My Plnor method is just one tool I use. As goals change you will be seeing the Plnor method again.

Cool. I studied your whole Plnor method info and decided it was probably a bit too dangerous for my old [censored] to be fooling with.
I have enough trouble these days just not falling out of the boat or stomping a nice rod or reel into bits. LOL

Do you sell those Carp Slayer flies? I tie and have all the stuff probably to make them but it's not real handy at the moment and would take me a good bit to figure out how to tie them. Out of curiosity have you done a video of tieing them, or do you know where one might be found?


A carp that size would put up one helluva fight - especially on a fly rod. What length and weight rod and line were you using? sorry for all the questions - I've been called a curious sort by some folks.

Well done!

Awesome has to be a great fight on a fly rod

I do not sell any of my flies. I am really behind on getting videos made. There are so many records swimming around out there that I have prioritized the fishing. I will try and get a video together eventually. It is really easy to tie the fly. Put some hair on the hook, wrap 3 times and pull. Repeat until you fill the shaft. Use scissors to shape the fly.

I normally use a 8’6” rod - 6/7 line with 7 wt line in sinking or floating line depending on the situation. I use 4 to 6 foot mono leader tied directly to the fly. Twenty pound is the minimum, unless I am after a line class record. I normally carry 3 or 4 fly rods at a time.

Thank you for the info on the flies and the rod / line setup. Good fishing to you!