Video: Carp on a Dry Fly

 Big carp taking dries and lots of hero casts.

Carp Reconnoissance

I have been looking for new water to sight fish to carp and I think I may have found something.  While trout fishing today I decided to take a walk down to where the stretch of river I fish empties into a small shallow lake.

Right off the bat things looked very promising.  Small pods of very large carp (some in the 20-30lb class) were slowly cruising about.
When I spotted a solo fish obviously feeding I took a few photos.

I followed this fish as he made his way against the gentle current.  Every few feet he would dip down and take something off the bottom.  I was armed with a 5wt Hardy glass rod so I resisted casting to him.  Finally I gave into temptation despite the fact that I was severely under gunned.  A carp carrot was dropped 5 feet in front of him and allowed to settle to the bottom.  A subtle twitch when he was about a foot away was all to took.  He slid over dipped his head and sucked up the fly.  Then all hell broke loose.  He shot out to the center of the "lake" scattering all of the other pods of fish.  There were carp flying everywhere.  I don't think that soft fiberglass rod offered enough resistance to sink the hook into those fat rubber lips.  After that first run across the flat the line went limp.  I ended up with a crushed ego and a very mangled fly for my effort.

Tally for 2010

Carp = 2

Jersey Angler = 0

The Carp Carrot

I'm still working on the refilling my carp fly box and I am adding a few new patterns this year.  I came across a pattern called the Carp Carrot on Mr. P's Blog .  This fly is one is one of his original patterns and he ties it a little differently.  The hackle collar in the original pattern is yellow dyed pheasant rump.  Not having that on hand, I searched through my desk for an alternative.  I came across some grizzly marabou in a bunch of colors and tied some in an all orange version.  I like using marabou in this type of fly.  The material comes alive in the water even when the fly is at rest on the lake bottom.  I plan to tie up some of the original versions as soon as the big brown truck delivers my supply of yellow pheasant rump.
The Carp Carrot
Hook:  Size 6 (The hook pictured is an old, no longer made, ring eyed Mustad)
Weight:  Lead dumbbells (small)
Body:  Orange dubbing mixed with a little flash
Collar:  Orange dyed grizzly marabou