Fishing Buddy Code

Don't get slapped by that tail...

The walleye bite must have slowed significantly.  The curiosity of the walleye angler cruising by for the second time made that evident.  Of course, I was working to haul in a 15+ pound common carp from the depths of one northeast South Dakota glacial lake.  A heavyweight bout captivating enough for at least one spectator.  Fortunately, we were the only ones on the water on a beautiful Sunday morning.  With big fish all around me, the sun at my back, and blue skies on the horizon, this was shaping to be a perfect fishing adventure.  There was only one problem...this wasn't my spot to try.

Common after common fell by the guides of my new 8 wt Quest II.  Presentation options ranged from big fish feeding/lounging in the rip rap to cruising shadows on the shallow gravel beach.  In all instances, fish were ready and willing to destroy my fly.  As my hands stung from line burns, and my muscles ached from consecutive fights, I couldn't help but feel guilty about being there alone.  You see, it was supposed to be tandem trip, but circumstances (as they usually do) got in the way.  It all started with a new message on July 7th.

It was all set, an overnight trip to the northeast for a carp hunting adventure.  The day of departure was when things began to unravel.  Unforeseen circumstances and bad luck led to us postponing our trip.  There was still a possibility for me, however, because I had planned a family trip to the same area for the weekend.  The plan was to spend two days chasing carp in tag-team mode before meeting up with my family to spend the weekend in Watertown.  I brought the fly rod just in case.  When the kids were running around at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night, I new Sunday morning would be my opportunity to break away for a quick trip. I was out the door at 6:30 a.m., fishing by 7:30, and on my way back to the hotel at 9:30 with sore arms and a shit-eating grin a mile wide.

Was it wrong for me to "scout" this new spot?  It felt wrong going without the guy who told me about it.  Or maybe it was just the fact that I had nobody to share my excitement when stalking a 15 + pound fish with his nose in the rocks and tail in the air.   Spots like that are meant to be shared, and I was hogging it all.  There has got to be some line in the Fishing Buddy Code that condones this behavior, right?  I'll look into it.  Until then, I'll have to look at the bright side, we'll no longer be starting from square one when we do finally make the trip to this carp paradise.

Carp Fever

Are you serious right now?

Damn Carp!  Just when I think I've got them figured out, they go and mess with my emotions and my head.  For years, I've taken time to chase carp during the spring.  Their early season displays lead one to believe that their aggressiveness and assertiveness would be imposed upon a well presented fly.  This is the behavior that leads to...CARP FEVER.  Each year I get it earlier, and each year leaves me wishing I had focused my early season fishing efforts elsewhere.

This year I had the antidote.  The cure that would free me from this figurative mental prison that holds me from May until late October.   I had come to a consensus with myself that, yes, my mind and emotions would be strictly focused on big rainbows, pike, white bass, smallies, and walleye in 2015.  There are, however, other causes of carp fever...unfortunately for me, it's contagious!



My friends have had carp fever for a few weeks now.  Scouting trips, fishing attempts, and even a few landed fish photos have been sent my way.  All acting as consistent reminders that carp season is near.  Just like the spring air, I felt my temperature rising.  Don't let the fever take hold!  Like a child fighting the urge to sleep, I fought this fever.  A 70 degree Sunday afternoon was when the fever finally took hold.  At 5:30, I took my fishing partner in search of active fish.  We arrived at a favorite spot nearby, one with very active carp all season.  Nothing big, but I knew there would be fish there.  Sure enough, a few had already gone into their spring ritual.  Tail dancing through the shallows like dolphins at play.

It's strange pulling a set of waders on before pursuing carp.  Wet wading in the warm sun has become one of my favorite reasons to chase them.  This cold water gear almost doesn't allow for the carp fishing mentality.  But it's not enough to fight the fever.

Tiny baitfish scattered from under the bridge.  A perfect place to begin in terms of presentation.  I begin casting my micro-clauser deep.  A few casts in, I've got the perfect rhythm of a slow steady retrieve that has become synonymous with much of my early season fishing, especially for carp.  Sloooowwww strip...pause.  Sloooowwww strip...pause.  Sloooowwww str...LINE STOPS.  I strip set into a nice fish.  Two head shakes and it's gone.   This location offers great spring fishing for many species.  Could have been a channel cat, could have been a whitey, could have been a walleye, hopeful it was a carp.  I didn't have it on long enough to feel comfortable venturing a guess.  I start the process again.  Three casts later, the line stops again.  I strip set into another nice fish.  This time, it's not going anywhere.  It crashes to the surface revealing a brilliant copper body and dark olive back.  It then heads for deeper water.  "Did I snag it," I wondered as I motioned him back toward shore.  The ease at which I controlled the fish suggested otherwise.  It took the bait.   Top lip...

There are days when carp fishing can befuddle even the most adept fishing enthusiast.  One day you'll catch 20, the next, you MIGHT land one.  I had only been fishing for about 15 minutes, and I already had two on the line.  What a great afternoon.

Over the next hour I would land another two fish and lose two more.  Not a bad outing for a quick carp adventure.  I checked my temperature when I arrived back home.  The digital thermometer read, "Carp Fever".  I didn't know it had that setting.  Looks like I'll be calling in sick to work tomorrow.  Damn carp!  Just when I think I've got them figured out...

Tactics for fall carp

Fall Cyprinus Carpio

When fall rolls around, I've typically stored the carp flies for the year in preparation for big fall/spring rainbows, smallies, and cackling dakota roosters.  Fall weather can play some pretty cruel tricks on us at times, but it can also bode well for a carp fisherman hoping to get in a few finned fu-man-chus before winter rolls around.  This can also be a frustrating time for carp fishermen.  I recall a few specific occasions as a novice carp angler.

The beautiful fall weather had arrived, but "hot" days (upper 70's, low 80's) were still sporadically placed through late September.  I would stand slapping the water for hours while carp crashed the surface all around me.  The frustration streamed through my veins like whitewater, but I persisted.  Eventually, compatible flies and tactics would come together like a Chuck Woolery inspired game show.  What seems to always hold true, in my experience carp fishing, is that there are rarely "sure thing" tactics for South Dakota bones.  A fly that one fish eats may not work on the next dozen or so that it is presented to.  Of course, fishing conditions and presentation are also factors in this equation, but the dynamic exists and differs from any other fish in the water.  So when you can find a fly pattern, presentation tactic and fishing condition pattern that works more often than not for carp, you've gotta share it with the fishing world!

Carp fishing is usually done using weighted flies dragging them along the bottom.  A viable technique all throughout the year, until fall.  Use that strategy and you might have some difficult days on the water.  Fish are more aggressive this time of year, gorging themselves before the weather changes.  You'll see a number of jumping fish along with fish that join together like a big fishy raft.  Both the rafts and the jumping carp offer great conditions for a fisherman.  Here are two tactics to try on your next fall carp outing.

For Flotillas:  These schools of fish might as well have a cooler filled with carp brews while they lazily drift and dine.  These fish don't spook easily and devour anything that gets in their paths.  For this, a light-weight nymph like the Burt Special or Sparkle Squirrel nymph get's it done every time.  Cast a few feet ahead of the floating fish raft and wait for the line to go tight.  The take will feel more like a snag than a fish.  Give them a second to make sure they've really eaten it (and it's not just stuck on a dorsal/tail fin) before strip setting.   Hooking a fish usually means spooking the raft, but that's ok.  Onto the next flotilla.  This tactic also works very well for sipping fish, although you'll find them harder to present to.  Their movements are random and they spook fairly easily.  More stealth is required.  Just pretend you're a secret agent or something.


Crashing Carp:  I don't really understand anything about what these fish are doing this time of year.  Summer and Fall crashers,  are aggressive,  agitated, and ready to chase a fly.  When they really start crashing (especially on windy days) a short and quick, erratic retrieve has worked best for me.  The takes are fierce and sudden.  I like to use larger beadhead softhackles in black or orange.  The buggier, the better.

Don't put away your favorite carp rod too quickly in the fall.  The fish are still ready and willing if you are.    

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty...

"Wiskers" - Photo courtesy of Jason Burt Studios

I have a new favorite species to pursue with the fly.  At least until I make another trip to Lake X1-27/b.  Admittedly, my Carp infatuation did not last very long.  Don't get me wrong, I still love chasing the fumanchu sporting badass of the mudflat.  But there is a new fish species with facial wiskers that I'm beginning to love even more.  The channel cat...

Channel cats have really been on lately.  Clousers, buggers, san juan'ish style patterns have all been catching fish.  These fish are voracious!  They have been devouring flies on site with reckless abandon.   They have no regard or respect for the condition of our flies, or for the strength of my right arm after the fight.  These fish are STRONG!  So strong, in fact, that I'd be willing to bet that a five pound channel will outfight a five pound common 9 times out of 10.  Did I already mention that they are hungry?  When they are feeding, look out!  Fish on consecutive casts is not atypically when you get into some hungry kitties.  Carp can sometimes take patience, stealth, cunning, strategy and skill.  When you're on your game, you can catch a mess of carp.  But your presentation has to be REALLY GOOD!  Kitties don't care about presentation.  King cats just want to eat.  Bad cast?  No problem for the cats.  Fly swimming sideways?  eh...cats will eat it.  If you haven't already, add catfish to your flyfishing bucket list for the year.  You, too, might have a new favorite prey.