Linear Carp

[coltergeist99]

I've been trying to do some research on why the carp in this area can look 1 of 2 ways and I'm not finding much help. So far all I've found is that the carp with a row of large scales along the lateral line is called a linear carp, and of course the carp with normal scales is a common carp. Does anyone know if the linear carp is just another type of common carp or some sort of mutation? There seems to be very little information on this and what I have found seems to be peoples opinions rather than actual scientific evidence. Many of the sites I've been to also claim that the linear carp is very rare and highly prized if the line of scales is perfect, but it seems like that's mostly what I catch any more so they don't appear to be all that rare.

Any thoughts or info on this would be great. I also have some pictures if anyone wants to take a look to see what I'm talking about.
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[cpierce]

Look up mirror carp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_carp

Mirror carp are a genetic mutation of common carp. In my experience most of the carp in the Bear River and its reservoirs are mirror carp.
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[Brownliner]

Carp that are basically scaleless, except for a row of large scales along their lateral line, are Mirror Carp. They are biologically similar to common carp but have a distinct genetic variant.

Mirror carp are common in SE Idaho, but not so much in other parts of the country and world.

http://www.websters-online-dictionary.or...ror%20Carp
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[flygoddess]

This is my take on Carp,

Here is a Mirror

Here is a common:



Common have smaller scales and more uniformed, Mirror have large scales and erratic pattern and loss of scales in a lot of cases.
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[ironrod]

+1, both can be caught in blackfoot res.- both were 2 weeks ago[]
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[prvrt]

So this is a mirror carp?

[inline 465106_2602785367320_1785438663_1543995_1407217882_o.jpg]

And is the common carp the same as a grass carp or is there a difference there also?
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[flygoddess]

Not to me. They are the same. Who inflated that thing....[laugh][laugh][laugh] Yes that is a Mirror from what I see/
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[Brownliner]

Yep, that's a mirror carp.

Grass carp are a different species altogether. They are difficult to catch and they are strict herbivores, unlike their cousins. Some people tie flies that look like bundles of grass to catch them.

This is a helpful graphic: http://www.freewebs.com/stoneslakes/speciesoffish.htm
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[flygoddess]

Cool link! That third carp I posted is a Grass carp...I know that much but can't tell the difference from it and the Common I have been catching.
Here is it's home:

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[FNA]

That is a mirror. If it had no scales, it would be considered a "leather" carp. All mutations of common carp.
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[ironrod]

Yep, the mirror carp have been bigger/heavier than the common carp that I've caught.
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[flyfishingfool]

That is one fat mirror. Common and Grass carp are a lot different. Grass carp don't have a sucker looking mouth and they don't have whiskers. Most grass carp I have caught have been on top water while they were slurping grass clippings. They are far more difficult to catch than a mirror or a common. When I was a kid I would pick a clump of grass and wrap it to my hook with mono? Is that bait fishing? Haha.
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Grass Carp
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Mirror Carp
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Common Carp

I hope that is helpful.
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[prvrt]

Thanks for the info. The pics really show the difference. I always thought the mirror carp were just regular carp that lost their scales when spawning. That just goes to show you are never to old to learn something. The female mirror carp have really been fat this year. The one in the picture looked like she would explode any minute. She was around 8" wide across her belly and almost square. I had never seen a carp so fat.
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[cpierce]

That really is a super fat fish!

Carp are egg producing machines. An 8 lb carp can produce over a million eggs and about 80% of them will hatch.
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[coltergeist99]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who wasn't sure about this. What type of flies typically work best on these pigs? I know what I use, but always wonder if there is something that would work better.
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[cpierce]

So far I have only caught them incidentally while fishing for trout. I have caught them on midges, San Juan worm, Griffith's, Renegade, and wooly bugger.
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[windriver]

I use san juan worms weighted and unweighted. I also use a shrimp looking fly with dumbell eyes for depth. I think they think they are crayfish.

Windriver
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[flygoddess]

Glo Bug[]
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[Bronco66]

I have also heard that celery is a good bait for grass carp! I can't wait to try it and add it to my species list! Any good locations near Boise for em? Or are they just about everywhere?
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[cpierce]

You might have to ask F&G where they are stocked at, or try your local government agencies. Tripoloid grass carp are stocked to eat the vegetation in canals, ponds, etc. Since they are there to do a job, they are usually catch and release only.
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