Single Handed Spey Carp? You Betcha!

Another day in carp paradise... Air temperatures today got above 80 degrees F. for the first time this year.  The carp were scattered about nicely on the shallow flats rooting around and soaking up the rays. Sight-casting large sparrow nymphs proved to be an effective method.  But, a strong downstream wind made casting difficult.  Forget about roll casting. Double-haul... maybe, but the fish were close in, there was brush all around, and not enough head of fly-line would be out to generate proper line speed (I may be the only person who carp fishes with a steelhead taper).  This meant one thing... single handed spey casting for carp.  The technique proved perfect for obtaining the line speed needed for firing out large nymphs into a 25 mph cross wind, all the while hitting the target... laid up carp on the flats (those dark shapes milling about under wavelets).

The single handed spey cast went something like this:  roll cast the fly to a right hand dangle, double spey, splash and go.  The nymph shot through the wind with ease and landed across the stream like it was fired out of a cannon.  But at times, the gusts were so strong even the spey cast would need a little extra oomph to cut it... in these cases a turbo spey cast came in handy (basically haul as you splash and go on the spey cast).  The line speed generated by the single handed turbo spey was nuts and a misplaced cast had knock-out potential.

The pod of carp I was casting to was happy and after a couple casts the first fish was on.  Not a monster but a nice one to start the day.  It's always fun to see the nymph in the mouth and not attached elsewhere... only then can you say "He ate it!"

Then, just a few casts later a little fella decided to join in.  The smaller carp don't have the gold coloring the big boys do.  Instead, in their own striking way, they are pale... almost silver; and, have colorful fin tips (usually orange or red).  They fight different to... much more like conventional gamefish with all the flash, speed, and comotion you would expect from a bass. At this size, they are only starting to get that "big diesel" stamina of their larger brethren.  

And, speaking of larger brethren... the next fish was an absolute hog--nearly as big around as it was long.  I didn't measure it but it seemed a good foot wide across the back and roughly 30 inches long.  It took an eternity to bring this one in as it maxed out the 8 wt.  and stayed deep the entire fight.  At times I wondered if I had a 20-30 pound flathead on.  All I could do was use smart rod angles and let the rod wear down the fish.  An utter tank this one... and I think it would have kicked a 10 wt.'s arse just the same.

"Big Diesel"

I was really made up over that fish.  I couldn't imagine a repeat performance... and then it happened.  I went from an eternal fight with "Big Diesel" to having "The Rudder" eat the fly.  Now I'm hooked up with a fish every bit as long; and, streamlined as hell... plus it had a massive tail thrusting it in every direction showing no respect for the 8 wt.  Rod angles shmod angles... this fella made his own rules.  The power from this fish was immense.  Throw in some river current and carp stamina and you have a genuine carp stand-off.  This was the first time fighting a fish I actually wondered about splintering a graphite fly rod... no joke.   Explain to your fishing buddies you blew up an $800 dollar steelhead rod on a carp!  The pull was relentless, strong as hell, and never ending.  But, the key to fighting a big carp is patience, smart rod angles, and using the rod to wear them down.  Eventually, there will be a survivor and "The Rudder" came to shore after what seemed again to be an eternity.          

"The Rudder" - Serious tail on this fish.

 Hard to top those fish.  So, I moved downstream to a couple new spots and flailed away.  The current was nothing more than a slow ooze and the water was rather turbid.  Bigmouth buffalo were everywhere but not in the mood to munch flies.  They are getting closer to the spawn and had love on their minds.  But, the carp were feeding.  In fact some were even rising like trout.  So, I worked the couple foam lines that existed in the slow moving current.  The fish were right up against the far bank.  This was good enough frog water for casting the single handed spey version of the "Perry Poke" cast.  It worked nicely here so long as it was done gently and without a major white mouse slurping across the tranquil pool.  The fly dropped in the current line along the far bank.  A couple sharp, short, strips and I was into it.  A nice little carp had eaten the fly and surfaced immediately.  It was as close to a carp jump one could have had.  A thing of beauty.  The little fella then went on causing all kinds of turmoil in the pool... zig zagging every which way before coming to shore.  A nice change of pace after dueling a couple goliaths.    

Buffalo, Carp, and Antlers

Today was really the first nice weather day of spring... when I hiked back to the "fish mobile" after  buff and carp fishing on fly the temperature read 77 degrees F.  I'll take it.

The three consecutive April snowstorms have finished melting, area lakes are starting to ice out, the recent rains have infiltrated or run off, and water levels on the river rose nicely... without even coming close to flood stage.  The sunshine today proved to warm up the water and get fish actively feeding.

The bigmouth buffalo were spread out in the faster water.  So, that's were I started the day.  Fish were near the head of the run, in the middle, and near the tail-outs.  Fish were also laid up on the inside seams.  Basically, buffs where everywhere.  So, I tied on my trusty size 6 gold bead sparrow nymph to a 1X tippet (the fish didn't seem to be leader shy).     

It took a few casts to learn the current and set up.  But, after figuring out the drifts it wasn't long before  Buff No. 1 snarfed up the tantalizingly undulating sparrow nymph.  Fish on!  The 8 wt bent to its familiar arc right down to the cork.  The head shakes and not-so-neurotic behavior told me it wasn't foul hooked.  I played the fish upstream into the head of the pool to keep the fish from saying "sayonara" to the pool and high-tailing it down into a logjam.  The dogged fight lasted some time and included plenty of down and dirty rod angles picked up from tarpon fishing.  These things just don't quit.

Buff No. 1

After a pic or two, I carefully released the bigmouth and watched it swim forcefully back to the center of the run to sulk and reflect.  Not long after Buff No. 2 joined the party... and it was a nice one.  This fish went straight to the head of the pool on its own, swam around the pool countless times, and frequently rose to the surface to show its size.  Needless to say I was impressed.  The fight on the long rod took time and constant, thoughtful, rod angles to wrangle this fella in.  Finally, it came to shore and I was able to finish the task... get a catch and release photo.

Buff No. 2... a 30-incher?

Buff No. 2 went back into the river in less than polite fashion...  despite my care it doused me head to toe with tail-thrusted river water in a more than enthusiastic departure. But, the buff fishing wasn't over.  Hardly.  A brief lull ensued which may be attributed to fishing pressure (a couple fish caught) or simply just the end of a feeding window.  But, with persistence I was able to observe the fish set back up and turn back on.  Buff No. 3 struck the fly with the most aggressive will of the bunch.  Shooting up from a mid-run lie he dashed about the pool like a fish possessed.  I knew I had something special. The fight was flashier than the others but still had the unrelenting pull associated with buffs.  When Buff No. 3 came to shore I was treated with maybe the most beautiful fish I've caught on fly in a long time.  

Buff No. 3 - A Real Beaut 

Pure gold.  That fish was worth the day right there and I contemplated ending on it.  But, the day was still young and the weather absolutely lovely.  So. I casted on.  And, another Buff came to shore... a real "sucker" for the sparrow nymph.  This fish without doubt took the longest to land today... a proper fighting machine.

Buff No. 4 - Power and Endurance

I should note that the nice weather also brought out the snakes.  Lots of them.  In fact, I had to watch where I was walking to avoid stepping on them along the stream bank.  There were many close calls and some near strikes. But, nonetheless, I like reptiles and was nicely serenaded by their slithering thru leaf litter all day.  It was quite a treat.  And, as the day got hotter, one even decided to go for a swim.  All told, I may have spotted two dozen garter snakes of various sizes today.  This really drove home the fact that the Chinese calendar marks 2013 as the year of the snake.  I'm a believer and I switched to carp fishing.

The carp were holding in much different water than the buffs today.  Last week, they shared their homes with each other... but today there was a definite split.  The carp were laid up across a shallow flat soaking up the sun.  On occasion I would see them turn in the current so they were definitely feeding as well.  This became a sight fishing treat akin to flats fishing for redfish or bonefish.  

With a couple double hauls (actually a few... the line was so gritty from mud it took an extra false cast to get it going) I dropped the sparrow nymph into the unsuspecting pod of fish.  It wasn't long and Carp No. 1 was on.  A thin common carp of about 25 inches; but, a decent unforgiving fighter nonetheless.

Carp No. 1 - Got em right in the kisser.

Carp No. 2 came shortly thereafter... like the next cast.  He completely bum-rushed the fly.  The fight was dogged to the max.  The fish fought mostly in front of me out to midstream. It stayed deep nearly the whole time and showed itself rarely.  This went on for an eternity it seemed.  My patience was finally being tested by the carp.  When the fish came to my feet I reached down to handle it.   And, it started fighting all over again.  This became a ritual repeated a few times.  Then, I had it finally... I thought.  I grabbed the tippet and guided the fish in.  As I reached down for the fish with one hand on the leader it decided it wasn't done yet (how?!).  And, with a solid head shake the tippet snapped and Carp No. 2 and my sparrow nymph went bye-bye.  Dang.

So, on went a Marabou Crazy Charlie.  This fly has been sitting patiently in my fly box for over a decade.  Last fished in Key West for bonefish and baby barracuda.  But, it made sense.  The carp were still podded up on the flat... just like bones and creating nervous water from time to time.  The bead chain eyes weren't too heavy.  The fly dropped gently along the edge of the pod.  A few strips into it and the line went tight... mega tight.  I strip-striked.  It tugged back and shot across the flat in the stream. I lifted the rod and the fight was on.  The carp of the day, Carp No. 3, went psy on the bonefish fly.  The fight basically went all over the place and I was reminded how strong a substantial carp is.  Time ensued.  My arm at this point was beginning to quiver under the weight.  And, finally after a very impressive fight Carp No. 3 came to shore.

Carp No. 3 - Beast mode.

Content with the catch, I decided to scout some new water and do a little exploring.  A couple more pools became filed away as mental notes.  Ducks of various species were paired and swimming about on the stream.  A kayaker steamed ahead upstream on the main river.  A wonderful day.  And, on the hike out a nice 5 point antler shed poked out thru the leaf litter putting a nice cap on the day.

Footnote: I also incidentally hooked and quickly landed two northern pike of about 10 and 7 pounds respectively.  Both fish were prespawn females loaded with eggs.  These fish are out of season and off-limits.  I didn't remove either fish from the water, quickly removed the fly, and turned them back instantly without snapping a photo.  They were fantastic fish and great specimens; but, at this time of year MUST be immediately landed and released.  The time for even a photo would simply be wrong. 

Buffalo Soldier

The recent 8 inches of snow is melting rapidly... and there was a brief period today to get out and beta test some new flies before the spring rains arrive later today.  I didn't know what to expect on today's outing and had no expectation other than conducting a carp recon mission.  However, when I arrived at my spot after a squishy hike in I noticed the stream in good condition.  I didn't spot any fish and started out blind casting.  Confidence was low and the depression of a late spring had me down.  Then, mid-drift, my line jumped and I strip-striked.... bottom.  I thought.  When the snag released my fly came back with a quarter sized scale on it.  Yes!!! The fish are here!  The recon-, cabin fever-, whatever-you-want-to-call-it- mission just got serious.  Then, I started to see the fish.  The snowmelt and light rain was bringing them in good.  The stream had as many anadromous roughfish in it as the Alaskan streams I used to fish had humpies and chums.  Winter is officially over.

Some truly monsterous buffalo were finning midstream.  The run was loaded with them.  And as the day went on the carp began to supplement them... then, outnumber them.  Pike where stacked up in the margins.  The stream set-up was a beautiful sight.

I cast with renewed hope and expectation.  My technical casting and line management kicked in now there was something to play for.  Each cast landing on the seams.  And then, the first fish took the beta "peacock carp comet" I whipped up last weekend.  Fish on!   After a bulldog fight the first fish came to the stream bank.  A beautiful, native, bigmouth buffalo.

The new "peacock carp comet" has been validated.  But, as any roughfisher knows these are the smartest fish that swim.  Do you think I'd get another on the same fly?  Hell no!  After casting fruitlessly after that I got nothing; and, the biggest of buffalo and carp would simply fin away.  So, I cut off the "peacock carp comet" and switched to my other prototype fly... the "black death carp comet".

Two casts into it this beauty rose off the bottom and smacked the fly moments after it landed on the water.  The take was insanely aggressive.

Again, understanding that these truly are the smartest fish that swim (if you don't believe me take a look at that carp's eye... pure intelligence there in that pupil) do you think I would catch another on the same fly?  Well, I hooked one but it was a small carp that came off streamside... the whole experience of that was rather lame since I was watching some ducks zooming up the stream and happened to notice my fly stopped.  After the spit hook, I continued to cast the "black death carp comet" to no avail.  So, I cut it off and put on a "gold-bead sparrow nymph".  Time to get real.

First cast with that one and wham-o!  Another nice broad shouldered fella for the 8wt.  Damn, these fish are so smart and cool on the fly!

I've caught a fair amount of carp with the hook stuck just outside the mouth.  I 'm convinced this happens when setting the hook right as the fish ejects the fly.

First thought after this last fish would be to change flies.  But, the "sparrow" looked too dang good in the water and the last take was sooo dang aggressive to abandon.  Plus, this carp took the first cast!  Can't give up on it now, I thought.  And, a few casts later Mr. Buffalo decided to join in....

I have to say the buffalo is high up on the coolness scale.  These things look like permit when they're hooked and finning.  Their fin structure when you're fighting them is so cool.  And then, when you get them ashore... you see their light colored bodies with black fins (tails reminiscent of those on a fresh run Alaskan coho!) combined with the demonic look of black eyes.  Dang.  I am completely sold on buffalo.

The significant rains started to come down at this point and the rain gear was getting its workout.  The more the rain fell the more fish trickled into the run I was fishing.  The fish were starting to lose that "hotness" they had earlier.  But, I stuck with the sparrow.  Nothing was swinging on retrieves anymore.  So, I decided to dead drift the nymph pattern through the fish and deal with the frequent snags.  Shortly after, this guy rooted up the sparrow nymph on its drift and offered yet another fantastic fight in the current.

What a wonderful fish to end the day on, I thought.  These broad shouldered native beauties offered respectable fight and used their shoulders and shape perfectly in the current.  Even this smaller buffalo was every bit worthy of the 8 wt.

Roughfish on the fly got off to a great start today.  The prototypes have been fish-proven; and, I have some tying to do.  

More Carp Flies... "Hybrid Carp Comets"

More weather induced fly-tying...  I really didn't feel like heading out in a winter storm (in mid-April?!) to  hit fish that just aren't ready yet.  Another 1-2 weeks should see some good fishing.

In the meantime, I decided to take a common steelhead fly, the Hot-Shot Comet, and turn it into a carp fly.  To that end, I've developed the "Hybrid Carp Comet".

Hybrid Carp Comet - Peacock

and....

Hybrid Carp Comet - Black Death

Experimental Carp Flies

Made this new carp fly today... it's a complete improv fly I tied on a whim.  After looking at some flies on-line (there are lots of carp blogs... check 'em out) I realized I didn't have all the materials readily available for tying those patterns.  But, the tying bug needed an outlet since there's less than desirable weather upon us (seriously, it's waaaay too late in the season for winter weather advisories).  

Anyways, not sure what this thing is… kind of a bonefish fly like a "Crazy Charlie" (not named after Charlie Sheen), combined with a black "Woolly Bugger", combined with a "Zimmerman Backstabber" carp fly.  

After studying the fly further I saw hybrid potential in it (if it wasn't franken-fly enough)... so merged it with a "San Juan Worm" in a "Black Death" color scheme.

Now I just need to get these prototypes on the end of my 8wt. and start beta testing... if it ever warms up!!

Steelhead Season is Upon Us

A look back at some great fall footage to inspire those early spring steelhead trips...
Fall Run by Todd Moen from Todd Moen Creative on Vimeo.

Watch the short in its entirety here:  http://www.toddmoencreative.com