summer carpin'

[jacob]

I've told myself for the past couple years that I was going to make it a point to do some summer carpin' on the fly. I've caught them on gear before, but I've been itching to nail my first one on the fly. Well, this is gonna be the year.

I've been having some fun tying up some carp patterns, like the carpnasty, tickler, hybrid. all those weird looking things that I must say are really fun to tie.

Anyway - was wondering if any of you guys get amped up about carp. I am new to the conshy area, and there has GOT to be some carp ponds around / some spots on the skuke, or some other easy access spots around. Does anybody have any suggestions on where to go looking for them around conshohocken? I am a fishoholic but have still come up dry on carp within 30 min of me.

The funny thing is, I have a lot of other fishing opportunities within a close distance now then I did a few years ago, but carp is a different story...

Any suggestions would help.

I've seen plenty of them in the unami and green lane - seen a few in the skuke but almost impossible to target on the fly at least where I was. There is plenty of possibly carpy water around, I just have been striking out on locating something worthwhile specifically to target them.

 

[Dave_W]

There are several hard core carp on the fly guys around here. You might send a polite PM to dc410 for some inside info - he's an innovative "carper."

We even had a "Carp Jam" a couple years ago (we use the term "jam" to refer to a fishing get-together of forum members). This was on Tulpahocken Creek. We didn't slay the fish - catching carp on a fly is tough - but I got a nice fish and a couple others came to hand. One of our carp guys was even getting some big ones during the winter awhile back.

Use the Advanced Search box at the bottom of the page to find and read some of the many carp threads here on the forum.

(This thread will be moved to the warm water forum shortly - thanks, DW)

 

[icyguides]

Jacob,
Carp are a lot of fun on the fly. I definitely get excited about fishing for them and right now they are probably one of my favorite fish to pursue.

Finding a good carp spot is harder than you might think. They seem to be everywhere until you start actually trying to fish for them. It's also gotten more difficult the past few years as the bow fishing craze has gained popularity.

I've heard green lane has good #'s of carp and i know the skuke has them. Once you identify a good body of water just do some scouting. Having a watercraft might help to find spots. I haven't really fished for carp in still water, but in moving water I've found the best spots to be flats with structure adjacent to deeper water.

When possible try to identify where the fish are feeding. Fishing for actively feeding carp will definitely put the odds in your favor. Happy Carping!

 

[dc410]

In the Spring of the year I start watching my carp spots for carp to move out of the deeper water and into the shallows to feed. As the water warms I literally watch them on a daily basis as they move right into fly rod range. I generally start looking around mid March and usually start getting into fish around mid April. My carpin' season usually runs from April to October.

I don't know much about the Conshohocken area but I would scout out smaller warmwater tributaries to the Skuke. Also focus on small shallow coves around the edges of large impoundments such as Green Lane Reservoir. Try to always add new waters to your list of carp spots because you definitely don't want to continue fishing over the same fish all the time. They get smart real quick.

As icyguides had mentioned above, you want to target fish that are actively feeding. Head down rooting in the silt - tail up. These fish are actively rooting for nymphs, crayfish, worms etc. These are by far the most catchable fish. Look for the mud clouds and lines of "carp bubbles". Carp that are actively spawning and chasing each other around are next to impossible to catch. Some carp just aren't worth even taking a shot at, others are always worth taking a shot. You'll figure that out through experience. Presentation and stealth are very important. Lay a fly into the zone (12-18") in front of a feeding carp without it knowing you are there and you will probably be in business. Watch your shadow and tread very lightly. Carp are amazing at feeling vibrations off of the bank.

Sticking one on a fly rod is a total blast. The adrenaline rush is pretty cool on the hook up and that first hard run. Get out there and find them and start taking shots at them. You can read all you want and chat away on the forums but on stream time is the way for you to figure it out on your home turf. As you start to bring a few to the net your confidence will soar. Good luck with your carpin'!

 

[Bobert540]

I've always wanted to try this as well. I have only hooked into one and that was on the brandywine. Snapped me off real quick but was such a rush.

I have trouble finding feeding fish in still water. When I was training for work I saw what I thought were carp rising and jumping out of the water on the Shenandoah River above harpers ferry. This was mid march-April. Is that mating season?

I have also seen some huge carp right on the river in harpers ferry but I did not have the gear for them. My 5wt would have been snapped in half.

I have always wanted to fish the "mulberry" hatch as well but haven't found the time.

I will be keeping an eye on this thread. Thanks to all who contributed! This site is such a great resource and I hope to learn more to be able to give back!

 

[dc410]

Bobert540,

Definitely sounds like spawning activity. They make quite a disturbance chasing and thrashing around in the shallows.

I've brought some fairly large carp to hand on my 5wt., you just need to set your drag properly and wear 'em down. My carp caught on the 5wt were incidental catches while chasing smallies. My main carp outfit is a 9' 8 weight.

The mulberry hatch is an absolute blast. You have to keep focused on the ripening berries because the window of opportunity can be short. I only hit it on one good day last season because a real windy day took most of the berries down in a very short timeframe. Nothing better the watching a big old carp suck your berry fly off the surface.
Berry fishing tip: be patient! They don't attack them, it's almost like slow motion. I've pulled more than one berry fly right out of a carp's mouth by pulling the trigger to quickly. Good luck!

 

[jacob]

Awesome guys - DC - I spent hours last night going through the plethora of great carp posts you have made- I was tired as all hell at work today but it was worth the learning. The cabin fever is REAL! I appreciate the suggestions. Also, if anyone would be willing to meet up and hit some water some day, I am always willing to travel. Trade tips and tricks and some beers after a long day on the water. I usually cap it at 2 hrs drive for a day trip.

 

[1manwolfpack]

I second the mulberry hatch, especially for your first carp. The normally picky/spooky fish go crazy for them and are much easier to catch. Only takes hooking one carp and they'll have you hooked.

 

[Fredrick]

Best sight for fly carp info http://www.flycarpin.com/

 

[jacob]

right on. I visited the site and looked thru almost everything... wow what a great resource. Also, the dude who runs it seems like a great guy to hit the water with, very chill.

 

[jifigz]

I've been telling myself the same thing too! I have still not really dedicated a day to actually fishing for one but have cast to them when the opportunity presents itself. Too bad all the streams around me are full of wild trout and no carp, lol, just joking. They are hard to stalk in the bigger rivers in my opinion so I'll need to either find a good lake for them or possibly try to find them in the Aughwick or Tuscarora as those are the only two streams I can think of that may be good carp waters near me (other than the J.)

 

[Fredrick]

jifigz wrote:
I've been telling myself the same thing too! I have still not really dedicated a day to actually fishing for one but have cast to them when the opportunity presents itself. Too bad all the streams around me are full of wild trout and no carp, lol, just joking. They are hard to stalk in the bigger rivers in my opinion so I'll need to either find a good lake for them or possibly try to find them in the Aughwick or Tuscarora as those are the only two streams I can think of that may be good carp waters near me (other than the J.)

I always have a few of my go to carp flies with me just incase if I run into some tailers.

 

[somersetian]

If you guys are ever near somerset pa and want to fish carp somerset lake is stacked with them. Pretty much anyone you ever see fishing from shore at somerset lake is fishing for carp. I have seen them many times tailing in the shallow back section of the lake, big ones too. I've been dedicating all my time to bass and pike but maybe I should go after them. I caught one on a fly in my lifetime, I was standing in the casselman river chucking poppers to smallmouth and my buddy was passing by from shore and told me I was 10 ft away from some big fish. I stood there for probably 45 minutes trying to land a san jaun worm infront of one of them and finally the biggest one slurpped it down. It was a hell of a fight at first but within about 50 seconds it seemed to just give up. Biggest fish of the day though! I'd say a little under 2'. Found memory.

 

[dc410]

They are big, they are strong, they are gold and they are wild! Yeah, so they don't have an adipose fin or the bright orange spots, they are still a serious adrenaline rush. I started scouting today, located a few but it will probably be another month or so until I really get into them. Can't wait to hear the reel scream!

 

[melvinthefisherman]

Hey jacob i am at Penn State now but spend my summers and break at my house in Philly. I mainly target carp with spinning gear but I can tell you there are tons around. Feel free to shoot a PM.

 

[jacob]

Melvin, thank you for reaching out. PM sent.