Fly Fishing for Carp

Carp, also know as America's bonefish, are a top notch target for the fly rodder. Carp require thought and skill to catch, they are great fighters once hooked, and are found in many warmwater rivers, streams, and lakes. This makes fly fishing for carp increasingly popular.

There are two type of carp available to most flyfishermen in the U.S.:

1. The common carp (cyprinus carpio) and it cousin the mirror carp. These carp and mirror carp are found in much of the warm water habitats throughout the U.S.
2. Grass carp are similair to common carp except they have a longer but more slender body. Grass carp feed most commonly near the top of the water.

Both types feed on a wide variety of foods depending on their habitats. Common natural foods include crayfish, minnows, leeches, fish eggs, nymphs and scuds, mayflies and midges, aquatic plants and seeds, assorted terrestrials such as grasshoppers and beetles plus other food sources. Productive flies may match any of these plus non-typical foods such as corn, hot dogs, or bread.

Carp are common in rivers, streams, and lakes. Carp usually prefer warm water with 70+ degrees being ideal. It does not get too hot but cool water may turn carp off or run them to deep water. Shallow water near weed patchs may be the best lake water - shallow coves and rocky shorelines may be best with crayfish. Rivers may yield the most agrressive fish as current impose decision making on the fish. Carp fishing is most productive with sight fishing so never overlook clear shallow water. Prospecting for carp can be slow. Carp are very sensitive to taste and smell and it may be more productive to use scent on your flies.

Theare two basic ways of carp fishing: sight casting and prospect casting. Sight casting involves seeing carp in the water and casting near them. This the most exciting and the most productive way to carp fish. As with bonefish look for splash and movement, tailing fish, and puffs from bait scared up from the bottom. There are no set rules to prospecting as carp can be anywhere. Carp have soft rubbery mouths it is easy for them to completely swallow the hook plus a discerning pallet. Set fast and hard after the take. Once hooked it is a fighter and a pleasure to bring in.

A basic 9' 9wt fly rod with a good sized reel, and a whole lot of backing should do.  Prepare yourself with about a 6 foot, 12 lb leader at the end of your line, with 2-3 small split shot spread out evenly.Wearing drab colored clothing as carp are a spooky fish. Polarized sun glasses will also help you identify fish.

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