28 minutes of carping, May 16, 2013

Take it when you can get it.  Meeting completed 4:56; participants sent on their respective ways.  One way was down the hill from the meeting location to the river.  For a reinforcing lesson regarding carp mood and behavior. 

(1)   Plenty of carp out deeper, in the main river flow.  Water clarity around 10-12 inches; these fish were not be seen beyond their periodic rolls, jumps and…     their rises: like the invasive brown trout.  They were eating something that I couldn’t discern; maybe midges.

(2)   Some carp holding steady behind current breaks; a couple big ones.  Neutral to negative.  They saw flies and faded away.

(3)   At 5:22 it was time to head out; gave up.  Walking back downstream, moderately fast but not sprinting, so as to reserve very small chance of a good encounter.  One fish showed itself in the rocks; not actively feeding or tailing, but clearly looking for something.  First flip put the fly up and the right maybe ten inches.  The carp slowed and made a subtle movement…   away from where I thought the fly was resting…   but it was just too convincing – the 1/8^th inch movement was too much of a tell and I was convinced so I picked up to find a lipped fish.  Can’t always trust where you figure your fly has fallen…   given geometry, tricks of water and current in general. 

It was the final eat for this  7 lb carp.  Heavy hammer blow to the head spattered blood on my arms and face.  Some carp will swim and some should probably be eaten.  Protein source to be considered.  A smallish fish like this, in spring; presumably a good eating option.  Each of its 1 lb fillets are now in my freezer.  And the remains are in the garden. 

If a guy had more time I think he could do some good work in the local carp fishery right now.  Things are moving; things are looking up.  As an aside, bass and panfish have moved into shallow water; abrupt difference with respect to one week ago…     they are gettable for any and all kids with spinners and twister tails; poppers.

 

10 foot leader down to 1x tippet.  And this fly.