Got out tonight in the kayak just before a nasty storm. Picked up a few bream on poppers and dries, but I was most proud of the one below, which I caught on one of my coffee bean beetles. To learn how to make your own click here.
fly fish
Memorial Day Kayak Fishing
Canoe vs. Kayak: You Decide
While reading Florida Fly Fishing Magazine I came across this article which weighs the merits of canoes vs. kayaks as the ultimate fly fishing machine.
I prefer my kayak, but he does have some valid points. Enjoy!
First Carp on a Fly/World’s Ugliest Streamer
This didn’t start out to be a post about my first carp caught on a fly or about using the world’s ugliest streamer to do it. The trip was originally supposed to be the opportunity to test of a new popping bug. But over an hour into it I realized that despite my best efforts and some great new poppers, there was no chance of catching a bream, bass, or other moderately desirable fish on the surface.
This is where I turned to the world’s ugliest streamer. Up until recently I fished this lake regularly. It is a productive place, but has a bottom full of grass and other vegetation. I wanted to prospect subsurface, but knew that I would most likely lose my streamer or nymph somewhere in the process. Not wanting to risk too much, I tied on a green woolly bugger, or at least my version of it.
A few months ago I went to a local fishing association meeting and took advantage of free fly tying lessons. I ended up tying two green woolly buggers, neither with any weight or bead head. Later I wrapped some solder around the head of each and colored the solder with a red Sharpie. I threw them in my bass fly box figuring that one day they might come in handy. Today was the day.
This is where the carp comes in. After about a dozen casts with a slow retrieve I hooked up. The fish fought me from the start and peeled off line like a trout. I could easily see that it wasn’t a bass or bream, but what was it? I had heard that there were some pickerel in the lake, but didn’t think that I was going nearly deep enough to hook one of them. Then I saw the sides. Shiny with golden tint and well defined scales, I started to think that I had hooked a carp. when I finally saw the mouth I knew that I was right.
I reeled it in and took a couple of pictures for this post. Then I removed the streamer and gently placed the fish back in the water. Instantly it took off like a rocket.
Although I probably won’t target carp on future trips, I can see why there are those that do. Enjoy!
Fall Morning Catch
This Sunday morning offered me an increasingly rare opportunity to get out on the water. While the rest of the family was sleeping I packed up the car and headed down the street to the local river.
Fall is undoubtedly one of the more scenic times to fly fish. The reflection of the trees on the river only adds to the experience.
It can also be very challenging. Hatches are rare, and the colder water temps mean that fish are generally less active and more selective about the flies they chase.
The flow of the river, which was much lower in my recent visits, was now high enough to present some challenging wading. New tributaries had also appeared, adding new riffles and opportunities.
My first hour was rather unproductive as I switched from dries to streamers and then to nymphs.
I changed locations and went upstream about 50 yards. Things started to improve. I caught both of these on a stonefly, floating it just below the surface. I also tried a prince nymph, hare’s ear, and two types of bead head stonefly nymphs with no luck.
Sorry the picture quality isn’t better. I left the camera in the car and took these with my cell phone.
Also, if you haven’t entered our November contest, now’s the time. We’re giving away a copy of George Douglas’ Fish Like A Guide to one lucky winner. All entries must be received by November 30. To enter, simply sign up for our email subscriber list. For more info, see this post. Enjoy!