10-10-2006, 06:21 PM
As for tossin' them up on the bank to rot, I've seen that, too. Makes life very miserable for other fisherpersons. It's also meaningless really, as carp are so prolific that killing a few of them makes little noticable difference in many water systems. So few people fish for them that others will survive to replace the ones that died. Fish and Game commissions have tried for years in some states to erradicate carp with little lasting success. What's the old saying, "If you can't beat them...?"
I'm still new at this catching them on flies so the jury is still out as to whether I will continue to pursue them this way. However, as has already been noted by the wise and seasoned Mr. Tubedude, if you're gonna release the fish anyway and not eat it (Leaky duly respected, of course) and it provides decent sport, what difference does it make? If I can go out in an afternoon and do battle with several 10 pound plus fish on my flyrod, seeing my backing for the first time in a long time, with the potential of a fish of 20 pounds or even bigger, I consider that a worthwhile pursuit. Just took a little adjusting of my prejudices handed down from my parents and grandparents, as FG mentioned.
Saltwater bonefish were once considered a worthless "sucker" but now people pay thousands to pursue them.
Carp are a real challenge to catch on flies where I live. You have to search for them, find them in shallow water, stalk them and cast accurately, and even then they will often either ignore you to bolt out of the area - which in turn causes the rest in the vicinity to likewise bolt. When one does take a fly though, the response is instant. In shallows explode and the water flies as the fish burns out of the area, and the fisherman is either in for a long battle which often includes several good runs or is left limp with an empty tippet and his/her mouth hanging open wondering why he used such light leader material.
I still like my trout, steelhead, and bass, mind you. But I do enjoy catching big fish. There are plenty of big carp around and they're available throughout the summer months - included the hottest months of all when other fish have retreated to the depths.
Here's a photo I "borrowed" of a flyrod carper who lives north of me in Portland, OR. He fishes up on the Columbia system and he's about the most avid carp on the fly fisherman I've ever heard of. I would love to put myself in that picture.
![[Image: IMGP0251.jpg]](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5309/2105/320/IMGP0251.jpg)
With winter on the way, if you'd like some good fishing entertainment with the potential of more in the spring, check out this website:
[url "http://carponthefly.blogspot.com/"]Carp on the Fly Blog[/url]
That said, I hope to soon be back in my tube fishing for those little three and four pound winter trout that I like to catch when the rain starts. Pics to follow (hopefully).
z~
[signature]
I'm still new at this catching them on flies so the jury is still out as to whether I will continue to pursue them this way. However, as has already been noted by the wise and seasoned Mr. Tubedude, if you're gonna release the fish anyway and not eat it (Leaky duly respected, of course) and it provides decent sport, what difference does it make? If I can go out in an afternoon and do battle with several 10 pound plus fish on my flyrod, seeing my backing for the first time in a long time, with the potential of a fish of 20 pounds or even bigger, I consider that a worthwhile pursuit. Just took a little adjusting of my prejudices handed down from my parents and grandparents, as FG mentioned.
Saltwater bonefish were once considered a worthless "sucker" but now people pay thousands to pursue them.
Carp are a real challenge to catch on flies where I live. You have to search for them, find them in shallow water, stalk them and cast accurately, and even then they will often either ignore you to bolt out of the area - which in turn causes the rest in the vicinity to likewise bolt. When one does take a fly though, the response is instant. In shallows explode and the water flies as the fish burns out of the area, and the fisherman is either in for a long battle which often includes several good runs or is left limp with an empty tippet and his/her mouth hanging open wondering why he used such light leader material.
I still like my trout, steelhead, and bass, mind you. But I do enjoy catching big fish. There are plenty of big carp around and they're available throughout the summer months - included the hottest months of all when other fish have retreated to the depths.
Here's a photo I "borrowed" of a flyrod carper who lives north of me in Portland, OR. He fishes up on the Columbia system and he's about the most avid carp on the fly fisherman I've ever heard of. I would love to put myself in that picture.
With winter on the way, if you'd like some good fishing entertainment with the potential of more in the spring, check out this website:
[url "http://carponthefly.blogspot.com/"]Carp on the Fly Blog[/url]
That said, I hope to soon be back in my tube fishing for those little three and four pound winter trout that I like to catch when the rain starts. Pics to follow (hopefully).
z~
[signature]