First Carp!

[jeremymcon]

I've been thinking about catching carp on the fly for a while now, and had tied up a few carp flies just so I was ready. Well this evening I had a couple hours. I started off at a local creek for smallmouth or sunnies, but it was too high and dirty, so i decided I'd try a spot I knew there were some carp at.

This guy was tailing in the shallow water right by the shore, so I snuck up on him, and tossed my fly a couple feet away from him, let it sink, then stripped it in to where he could see it. I was confident that he'd ignore it (didn't even bring a net), but he swam up to it and took it! Fought him for about 10 minutes, but it would have taken a lot less time if I had brought a net.

I was using my 6 weight, and I'm glad I didn't hook into a larger fish - I'm not sure I could've landed one much larger than this! Lots of fun though. I'll definitely be doing it again.

 

[delta_dog]

Awesome job! Don't worry about your 6 wt being able to handle bigger fish. All my Carpin this year has been done with my 6 wt and so far I picked up 7 fish over 20lbs.

 

[streamerguy]

Congrats! Welcome to the club ;-)

I agree with delta_dog, I used a 6wt all of last year carpin' and did fine. This year though I've been using an 8wt and that really helped out as I was fishing during some higher flows and the fish took me into strong current, but the 6wt will do. Just gotta know how to fight 'em(side pressure, etc.).

 

[dc410]

Awesome job, Jeremy! Carp can be very challenging at times to entice them to take a fly. Sounds like you played your cards right on that guy. I'm sure you can handle even bigger ones on your 6 wt. if you take your time with them. I caught one early in the season that was 27 inches on my 5 wt without a net. Congratulations on your first one! I'm sure there will be many more.

 

[hookedonthefly]

congrats!!

 

[Haywood]

I had one on the other night on my 5 wt for 30 minures. I couldn't get him to come off the bottom of the stream. When I finally thought he was getting tired I went towards him to lift his head and net him , he made another run and popped me off was thinking if I had a heavier rod I could of landed him sooner. I was using 3x tippet. Going back next time with my 8wt. I would try a 6wt but I don't own one. It sure is fun though. Congrats on the carp.

 

[jeremymcon]

Yea I was using 3x too. I think in the future I'll try to go to at least 2x if I'm not using a net.

 

[PhilC]

Try pointing your rod tip more towards the fish and fight from the butt end of your rod