Carp mini tutorial

[mandinga]

OK, I was going to post in gus's thread, but I thought this might be easier to read...on it's own.

DO NOT let the stereotype of carp deter your efforts. They will readily take a fly and are one of the hardest fighting fish I have ever encountered. I have broken 2 rods fighting carp in shallow channels. The best thing about carp is that there is rarely anyone else fishing for them. In ten years I have never seen another person on my waters.


Where I am from we have two kinds of fish...trout and carp. When the carp are in the shallows I don't fish for anything else. The carp in our region started spawning in the creeks and shallow channels in early summer. They are very spooky and easy to spot at this stage.
It is very important not to spook these fish, If they see you they will not hit a fly, it is likely that they will thrash out of the area very quickly.

Here is my carp setup.
rod 6-7wt. I go light, somepeople like bigger rods, but I enjoy the light action and it is much easier to deliver a nice soft cast with a lighter rod.
line- full float. these fish are usually caught in shallow water.
tip-light! depending on the size of the fish you are targeting. The lighter the better.
Flies-Nymphs(very small), scuds and white glo bugs.

Carp usually swim in lines, you must spot the school of fish and then deliver the fly so that it is directly in front of the fish AND ON THE BOTTOM. carp have sucker mouths and they will suck up small nymphs off the bottom.

Stealth is key to catching these poor man bones. Do not underestimate these fish, I read somewhere that carp have the most advanced lateral line sensor system of ANY freshwater fish.

good luck.

[Abalone]

I am ready. Lets go C.M.

Dry line or sinking ?

Probably floating ?

I am tired of catching trout and am ready for something else, something big and strong, something my wife won't say.

" Why do you let those fish go ? Can't we eat one ?" :laugh: :laugh:

Sure honey, go ahead. :noway:

[mandinga]

I have been scouting some spots near tualatin that look like carptown...we will go....when I find the fish!

although...I am not responsible for the addiction that may follow.

[Mark Vickers]

Too funny, we've suddenly got a flurry of carp fever on the flyboard.

Locally, try some of the shallow "lakes" off of lower Multnomah Channel (also good for bass) and also the Columbia Slough.

I have not caught one on the fly yet but would really love to.

[mandinga]

carp outing...

[B-RUN STEELIE]

Buyer beware !!! I know some pretty good trout fisherman who have gone nuts for carp.. From what they tell me, no other fish can tear you up like a carp that you can catch several of in a day... Guys who used to fish the trout streams are now stalking the flats on the Snake river looking for carp. The flys they use are really similar to bone fish flys. Most are tan or light cream colored crazy charlies and stuff like that. Floating lines and sight fishing for gulpers... Whatever floats your boat, but once they get into it and figure it out they just go nuts for it. There are even guys who guide for carp..

[Riverkeeper]

When you guys decide you are ready, someone send me a PM. I will turn you on to a spot that has more carp than you will know what to do with. You will need a canoe or pontoon or something.

[Abalone]

Q. What do you do for a living ?

A. I am a Carp Guide

Q. A what.

A. You heard me

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

How much for a Carp, Squaw fish Combo? :laugh: :laugh:

[Riverkeeper]

Carp and ********* guiding is only for the offseason.

The on-season, of course, is for guided shad trips.

[steel_beaver]

Rooster rock park has some great carp fishing , as well as Benson Lake.... ive fished for them with my steelhead float rod and corn, but i have never tried fly fishing.... i'll try it over spring break and i'll let you guys know :cheers:

oh... if yo are planning on doing this now is the time... they are spawning now so they are in the shallows.... in a few weeks they will move back into the columbia (the rooster rock ones).... than you can catch them in the big river.

I haven't tried this but those flies that look like little red worms should work great, since back in Europe we use the real red worms for bait :shrug:

Carp are fun :dance:

S_B

[Two Fister]

I saw a show on ESPN a while back where they were chumming the carp in close to shore on the Great Lakes by launching boiled dried corn out with a wrist rocket that was modified with a little cup to hold the corn.

And people say that flyfishermen are snooty. HA!

[Abalone]

I don't think finding a place to fish for them is going to be the problem....

Getting a fly in front of their face is what I am wondering about. They are spooky fish.


Names I have heard for Carp.


Willamette River Brown Trout.
Buffalo fish.
Poor mans Bone fish.
any others ?

Haff Disease Associated with Eating Buffalo Fish -- United States, 1997
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056038.htm


World record Carp:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/3974carp.jpg

[clacksteel]

I think a carp rondi is definately in order!

[Gus Orviston]

What are the carp species in oregon?

I am sure the ones here in my hood are Grass carp, and I think i will have my work cut out. I see them bugger eating something, but I am sure it is just vegitation. So matching the hatch, seed is in order. Dunno how to do that yet, might have to ask/beg somebody to send me a couple grass carp flies since there will be chance in haitis I can't get one here and I don't have a fly kit here.

gus

[andy-ap emerger]

Gus,
try our international friendly site carpanglersgroup.org
There are people from all continents who fly fish for carp. The last clinic we did had two students from okoyao (sp) who were very interested in how us yanks were flyfishing for the carpy carps. The Asian White Amure (aka grass carp) are pretty tough to bring to a fly. You're right, they are herbavore. However, the Common Carp (what we primarily have here in Oregon) is an omnivore. Much easier to seduce with a damsel, wooly, prince nymph or leech etc.

I would sure like to hear how your fishing in China is going.
Drop me a PM if you can!

AP :cool:

[Gus Orviston]

Well I stopped by the sports store today and they didn't have fly rod, I did get some bait hooks and bobbers. Maybe i can go down with the kids and pound on some of the 1 pound Koi. I need to find the store that the guy from Denver got his flyrod from.

so look for a report this weekend :wave:

gus

[LunkerFish]

That'll be great, I'm looking forward to your report. Hopefully you can post some pics as well.