Invading Stream

Headed out last Friday (5-10-2013) to what I call is "My Carpin Waters". Now granted I don't own the land or the water or even know who does other than the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). I have not seen anyone else fish this section of water or even seen tracks of others. I fished the south side of the stream headed upstream. I had made it to the "center" section of the stream, an area I had not been to yet. Once I had fished the area I moved across the stream in a shallow area and headed back towards my truck. I fished the stream here and there but never landed a fish on the high bank side. Thats when I noticed the tracks of other people in the area. I noted what they looked liked and had wondered if they were just surveyors or construction works from the adjacsent road project going on. I figured that they hadn't when I found the dead Carp on the bank. It looked as though they had been there about two days (judging by the smell).

I was a little discouraged since I have been fishing this area for about a month. Learning the fish, their actions, how the water flowed, what the bottom of the stream was like and where the Carp like to hang out. Now I am affraid that people are going to get in there and start killing fish left and right and distrupt the pattern of the fish. Not to mention the fish will become very sketchy.

Its an odd feeling since when I grew up we always considered Carp as a garbage or trash fish. Now that I have spent so much time and energy trying to learn them and catch them, I think I am starting to grow a little attached to the little guys. Like getting attached to the ugly dog at the pound (who does that really happen to!!??).

Victory Atlast!

It's been a two run dry spell for me. The weather can not deciede if its winter, spring or summer. Lots of wind and even thunder storms (odd for this part of Nevada).

I hit the water around my usual time (2:00pm ish) With the recent rains the stream was moving pretty fast and was alot higher than I have seen it previously. It even had a new tint of brown to it as it roared by. No Fear I took off. I start at the old bridge piers and instantly found Tailing fish. I knew I was going to land one today! I moved around to the south side of the piers. There was a board lodge between two of the piers which was creating a some what water fall effect. I could see two Carp tailing just below. I pulled out just enought line to "plop" the Hybrid right into the Diner Plate Zone. It wasn't 5 seconds later and fish on! He put up a great fight like Carp always do!

7 lb Common Carp

Saying Cheese for the Camera!

See Ya!

 

The hardest part of Carpin that I have found (mainly because I go alone, well not mainly, I go alone) is taking pictures of the fish. Holding a 5 plus pound fish with tired arms is not easy. Add wiggling fish and not wanting to drop the iPhone in the water, it is a challenge! (Note: I have dropped the iPhone in the water twice, and I only have the basic Otterbox Defender Case on it; and yes this is a plea to Otterbox to upgrade my case to the Armor Series so that I may field test it!)

 

 

Now onto more YouTube Videos and reading to hone my skills. I have only landed one fish per outing so far. I have a goal of landing two per outing. Just need to work on fly location and identifing the takes! Happy Fishing!

The Last Day Pyramid

Today I headed north to Pyramid, it was a windy drive which made me nervous. The winds can be cold and brutal this time I year.

Met some new people today and everybody in our group landed fish. It was great to see. No ten pounders this spring, I am putting my money on the fall when the season reopens!

See you in the Fall Pyramid!

Lost One, False Hooked One, Landed One

Took an early out from work today. With the usual wind blowing I figured it would be more of a nature walk than a Carpin trip. Didn't go very fare before I noticed a lot o splashing in the water. The best I could figure was the Carp were spawning??

Hybrid loaded, I fired away. Worked a couple of mudders but nothing took. Moved downstream and finally WHAM! It was a fighter but none the less I was here for a fight. He needed up under some debrie in the water and broke the line! (One Lost)

Onward! I tied on another Hybrid and it wasn't 10 min later I saw the fly line twitch, I gave the jerk. I saw the tail come out of the water first and take off like a jet. It ran in every direction striping line out, I reeled in, he stripped it back out. Then we moved up downstream with the current. Thinking I was going to win this endless battle I moved into place with the net ready. The fly poped loose headed straight for my head, after a quick trip into the bushes and back out I found the fly tangled in the bushes. (One False Hooked)

Back to the bank I was on I had cruising fish up and down the stream. Finally a few stopped and began mudding. He fly hit the sand bank and slid into the water right past the nose of the Carp. He bolted for the Hybrid, as soon as he turned I jerked the rod setting the hook right into his upper lip. He was a real fighter, not willing to see the sands of the shore. Twenty minutes later he was beached with nowhere to go. Slapped some photos rested the Carp and slid him back into the murky water. (One Landed)

Work......No! Carpin!

Took a half day from work this morning. My daughter helped me tie some Trouser Worms last night (she punched the foam holes). Tied the Trouser and found out that my punch was to big (1/4" instead of the required 1/8"). Needless to say the Trouser floated. I had to remove half of the tail to allow it to sink. Back to the Fly Bench!

After the bugs were worked out and a Hybrid Worm was tied on I landed a 6.5 lb Common Carp. It was a 10 min fight. He ended up being false hook near the nose hole. Carps a Carp no matter where it's hooked!

Bailed off the water and went and had lunch with my buddy! Uncle Vinny's Pizza was great!

Old Stream New Construction

Today I scouted/fished the northern section of the stream I have been working. I was delayed on my arrival due to the new Northeast Connector road being built. (A multi lane road) Even worse is it will border the stream I fish.

In the next few months the entire scenery will change. I hope the stream does not. The roadway will pass through a golf course they intend to close with some very nice large ponds. (Which I believe may be staying). They may hold some large Carp. Only time will tell...

Windy Carp

Where do Carp go when it's windy? That is what I asked myself today. Wind was steady and wouldn't let up. One could use their nets as a wind sock.

After searching and searching I started to notice bubbles along the edges of the bank in the deeper water. When I approached these areas I would then notice the dust cloud in the water signaling the quick burst of a fleeing Carp.

I will now hit the forums trying to read up on Windy Carp and signals to their whereabouts. Until next time...