Judging by the amount of press that fly fishing for carp is now getting in magazines, many fly fishers are finally starting to see the merits of pursuing Cyprinus carpio. While many among the angling masses still look down on the noble carp as being a "garbage fish," there are others who have seen the light. No, not "that" light, the one containing neither Elvis, nor the light from the mothership during alien abductions, but the path to angling nirvana. Honestly, it's hard to beat a fight with a carp on a fly rod! And how do I know??? It was another "Adventure In Every Riffle" today...And I took great pride in it. So no one laugh at me... = )
Editors Note: It has now been determined that this is a UTAH SUCKER...but, I will let this story ride... distant cousin?
Editors Note: It has now been determined that this is a UTAH SUCKER...but, I will let this story ride... distant cousin?
Trying to repeat my epic day on Saturday...I went back to the same stretch of water on "Fish Tuesday". I first landed a brown trout, then a white fish, and then...HOLY C%#P, BATMAN!!! What was on the end of my line? A huge tug, then a pull...then whatever it was started running upstream like a turbo jet! As my heart pumped thinking that this was it...the mega million dollar brown trout...my line was reeling faster out than I could handle. Oh no, you don't! No way was this prize going to get away... I eventually got my rod to turn across stream to get a better angle and to lure him back into the fold. This was palming the reel at it's best. What seemed like an eternity was actually probably 15 min. And there he was...my beautiful...brown...errr...wait! I see a pink stripe on the side. Could it be the biggest rainbow that I have ever caught? Ugh...no. I'm seeing scales here. What the heck. It's not a white fish. Nooooo....
A CARP????? Editor's note: (Or could it be a SUCKER????? )
Why was I just a little excited about the weirdness of catching my first carp? Partly because carp are harder to catch than other freshwater species, from what I have been reading. (with the exception of redhorse or gar pike) And carp are supposed to be picky, finicky, spooky and far more selective than any trout you may encounter. So, I am not ashamed...not a bit. It was cool. Yes, it would have been nice to see a monster rainbow or brown down there...but, I had a lesson in bringing in a tough fish and that was worth it.
Why was I just a little excited about the weirdness of catching my first carp? Partly because carp are harder to catch than other freshwater species, from what I have been reading. (with the exception of redhorse or gar pike) And carp are supposed to be picky, finicky, spooky and far more selective than any trout you may encounter. So, I am not ashamed...not a bit. It was cool. Yes, it would have been nice to see a monster rainbow or brown down there...but, I had a lesson in bringing in a tough fish and that was worth it.
When hooked, even a 8 lb carp (I'm guessing here...probably 25 in) can get you into your backing in a matter of seconds. I was really shocked to see my line go freaking wild before I started getting it under control. I can't say that a brown trout has taken me to the backing that fast... This hooked carp went bulldog on me and engaged in hand-to-fin combat and left me muttering, "Uh-oh," as I tried to remember where I put the warranty card for my fly rod. = )
Just another "Fish Tuesday"!
Editor's Note:
Chris Cutler (Many A Fish)
One of his buddies with a REAL CARP...
Editor's Note:
Chris Cutler (Many A Fish)
One of his buddies with a REAL CARP...
Right On Emily!
ReplyDeleteBrian
Nice job. Now I'm not certain if that's a carp or 'common sucker'. Cripes, I don't even know if there's much difference. None the less a heck of a catch. I was pitching flies at some carp this afternoon. It is certainly exciting to catch such a spunky fish. Great catch.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm thinking that's a sucker. A little different from a carp but in the same general family I think. We have 'em here and you cannot get those things to take a fly! So there!!! YOU TRICKED the UN-TRICKABLE! Nice work! Any fish that size is a good fish. Another nice day on the water, no? ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like perhaps a Utah Sucker (the fish, not you) although it may be a Common Sucker as RR^^ suggested above. But who am I to be the trash fish police? ;) Whatever you caught, it was not a trout and it took you for a good ride. What'd you catch it on?
ReplyDeleteAhhhh...guys! I am the "sucker" it seems...Boy, the picture looked like another carp pic that I was looking at. But, I don't have enough experience in such catches, so I will have to go along with those who are more knowledgable in the fishing world. = ) Whatever it was...It took that brown stone fly for a ride!!
ReplyDeleteBrown stone nymph, yes? That essplains it. The fish mistook the fly for a turd and sucked it up. Well played tactic, Emily!
ReplyDeleteKirk - Maybe Holy Crap...was the appropriate title for this post!
ReplyDeleteBe happy that you caught a fair-sized crap vacuum because that's about the best you're likely to do. You'll not soon catch a Hawg brown because you can't handle the Hawg.
ReplyDeleteListen, Mr. Hawg Brown... Do you know how difficult it is to pull a vacuum out of a river? And with a stone fly?? Don't doubt my abilities...I am getting good practice in lately! Mark my words...There will be witnesses in Sept. when the great Hawg Brown will be mine! (Until I release him...of course) Ha!
ReplyDeleteCool, fish with a vacuum cleaner mouth. David from Bay Area Backwaters fishes for them all the time. Might get some ideas over there.
ReplyDeleteMark
I have no IDEA what that thing is, but congratulations! Like I told you, when it comes to fishing, I am easily impressed. LOL! You are inspiring me! Just a few more weeks until my fly fishing lesson! And for more inspiration, I borrowed 'A River Runs Through It' from a friend, and not just because Brad Pitt is in it either...but that helps.
ReplyDeleteCongrats RD on the Crap--but I have to say this fish has to be one of the ugliest fish on the planet. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteMark ~ If you have one for your aquarium...it will stay clean! Yeah...they are ugly suckers, for sure.
ReplyDeleteKim ~ When we fish together in the future, you will no longer be impressed. Ha!
Bill ~ You would be correct on all accounts!
ReplyDeleteAny fish that gets you into the backing and has you smiling is alright with me...owning a couple of bulldogs, it's easy to find the beauty in "ugly". Great fish!
ReplyDeleteGreat story Emily! Ugly fish, but great story. I've been thinking about trying some carp on the fly fishing myself but haven't went for it. Maybe you've inspired me a bit more!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like our largescale suckers here in SW Idaho, we catch them often, well, when I targeted trout pre-carp days, but whatever sucker species it is one. I think it pretty, course fish do not disturb my sensibilities. Of course Chris would be able to help. Good for you! You as well have an informative and enjoyable site!
ReplyDeleteGregg
Sanders ~ Yeah...they aren't the prettiest on the block, but a lot of fun reeling in anyway!
ReplyDeletePam ~ Well, today I actually lost a 30+in carp!! It was even more amazing than this sucker... I'm ready to go back to my friendly trout though!
Gregg ~ Thanks for the comment and hope you stop by again! = ) Traveling through Idaho next week in fact, but not looking for more sucker fish! Haha.
I found the blog from my buddy chris at manyafish. then I saw a picture of me holding a carp on your blog haha. anyways the fish in question is a utah sucker. congrats on it. ITS ALOT HARDER imo to catch than carp. when carp are tailing (feeding) they are super easy to hook up with as long as you dont spook them. nice blog by the wat.
ReplyDeleteWell, good! I'm glad you found your way over to claim that carp!! Ha. I hope you don't mind... And it was quite the battle to bring that "sucker" in. Hope it will be the last one! = )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog love RD. I've been away from the blogging world for a while, so I'm sorry I wasn't there to respond, but it looks like your question was answered. :) Those bottom dwellers can sure be ugly, but the chase and fight can sure be addicting!
ReplyDelete