Zonker's Fishing Blog

Saturday, July 7, 2007

July 5th Carping in a New Lake

I went carping on Thursday of this week. I worked on the July 4th holiday and I knew I would also work on my regular Friday day off this week, so Thusday was the only chance to get away. I tried a new lake this time in the hope of getting my grandkids into carping. For that reason I also brought along a spinning rod because that's what they'll be using and I wanted to test a PVC rod holder I made for them. Actually this lake is one that is adjacent to the lake I usually fish. It is full of carp, too, but the larger lake always kept my attention. Anyway, I wasn't disappointed with my choice for today.

I spent the first hour paddling around in my solo pack canoe, checking depth and structure with a clamp on depth/fish finder. The deepest part of the lake is about 6 feet. Most is between 3 and 4 feet. Lots of fish were active, as evidenced by the frequent appearance of moving "carp bubbles" in many spots. The canoe didn't seem to spook the fish the way my float tube did on a former trip. It might even be possible to fish from the canoe for carp if I could come up with a good anchoring system.

Here's a shot of one corner of the pond. The veggie mats are floating .

After the exploring I found a good spot on the bank, set up the rod holder, and tossed out my rig. Soon I spotted a nice carp moving across the surface in front of me. He was taking something from the surface every few inches. My first impulse was to lay out a cast to the fish, then I remembered that I was anchored to the bottom with the spin rig so I just watched. As the fish went by, apparently he spotted my bait lying on the bottom in the shallow water. He disappeared from view moving in the direction of the bait. The line twitched, I set the hook, and the fight was on. Looked like the same fish. This was a really hot one. He ripped line from the reel as he headed out one way, then changed direction and repeated the process, heading for a raft of floating veggies in the middle of the pond. I applied hard pressure in do-or-die fashion and turned him. Eventually the fish was landed, a very nice and sleek 11 pounder.

The rest of a day was a series of waits and bites. I was using a technique called "touch ledgering" which allowed me to feel even the slightest tick on the bait. Hook is set at the slightest tap to try to catch the fish before he blows the bait back out. I want to perfect the technique because I think I can teach it to the kids. Their reflexes are in better shape than mine (though I've had a liftetime of practice!) In addition to the fish above I caught an 8, a 6 1/2, a 5, and a 4 1/2 pound fish. Pics of these four are below. I've lost track of which fish is which.

It was a great day on the water. These are the first carp I've caught on anything but my fly rod. While I prefer the fly rod, it was very relaxing and enjoyable. I hope to bring the kids soon. The shot below was taken as I gathered my tackle and headed back to the truck. The end of a very nice day on the water. Carping is fun!

Friday, June 29, 2007

Unsettled Weather - Slow Carping

No reports for ten days, but it's not because I haven't been fishing. I've been out twice. Once was a skunk. The other was today. I debated going today as the weather report was for rain showers and wind all day and that's pretty much the way it turned out. I had to really work for the fish but I ended up with an 8 pounder. I'll blame the lack of further success on the weather, I guess. No fish in the shallows (that I could see) nearly all day. Then about 6PM I saw a couple of mud clouds and cast to one of them. Immediately I felt a resistance and set the hook. The fish bolted out of the cove I was in, taking my fly line and a good bit of backing. Once I put the wood to him with the 8 weight though, the battle was wrapped up fairly soon. Not a bad performance. Only wish I could have hooked a few more. Being the end of June I figured the carp spawn was over. However, I saw six different pods of fish swimming in circles out over deep water exhibiting the characteristics of spawning that I saw in fish throughout May. Are these late spawners? Is this some other behavior? At this point I have no idea. Here's the fish, which I released after posing.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Essence of Fly Fishing for Carp

Of all the carp fly fishermen I know, fellow Oregonian John Bartlett, AKA John Montana, has caught the essence of the sport of carp on the fly in the greatest way. Recently John did an interview for American Carper Magazine (online) and they ran it in their April 2007 edition. What a great read! The file is a PDF and you must download the entire magazine issue to read the article, but its worth it. Once you have downloaded it go straight to page 26 and enjoy!

The John Bartlett Interview

John also has a blog online at:

Carp on the fly

z~

Monday, June 18, 2007

Monday Fishing Trip

I had the day off today and spent the second half of it carping. Not a fantastic day but I did manage a couple of fish. The first one was a picture perfect carp hookup - the way things ought to work. I walked quietly and slowly along the edge of a nice flat until I spotted a tail waving about 15 feet from the edge of the water. I cast just beyond the spot where I figured the fish's nose would be and let the fly settle. Then as I started inching it along the bottom, though I couldn't see the fish, I felt the line tighten and set the hook. The fish was hooked perfectly. I was using one of my six weights this time so the ten pound fish was able to make a pretty good showing for himself.

Here is a head shot of the same fish. You can see the fly in the top of its mouth. This fish was special because I've been trying to figure out how to better feel a pickup when I cannot see the fish take the fly. Today I tried my six weight Cortland Camo Intermediate line, thinking that it might give me a better connection and feel. When I hooked this fish I figured, "Perfect. This is going to be the solution." However, I didn't get many more opportunities before the wind came up and the fish moved out of the area.

The release.

I did manage one more fish later in the day, still using the Intermediate line. This one was caught totally blind as I didn't spot the fish first. I was just randomly casting through an area that I thought might hold some fish - not a high percentage game. This one was small - 5 1/2 pounds.
The fly of the day was a yellow nymph with rubber legs and small dumbell eyes. I've done well on the color yellow in this lake before. Not a good picture, but here is a shot of the fly. This camera does not do well with closeups.

Here's a shot showing the wind I've come to expect in this spot in the afternoon.

I'll continue to use the six weight as I experiment with the Intermediate line. If this proves to work better than a floating line, I'll buy one for the seven weight that I usually fish.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Windy, Partly Cloudy Carping

I had a few afternoon hours to spare today so I went carping. It's much closer (distance wise) than some of the other fishing I like to do. It was another day when it was very difficult to see into the water. I did manage two fish. This one, which went 5 pounds:

And this one, which went 6 pounds.

The pictures were taken with my time release camera on a portable tripod. I just set it up in the area I fished and when I caught one, I carried it in the net to the spot that was set up. Both fish were released unharmed.

Earlier this year, when carp were spawning in this area, quite a few fish made their way up this ditch. I checked it again today but there was nothing there.

I made it home in time for supper and an early bedtime.

z~

Friday, June 8, 2007

Warm, Sunny Carping Today

I did some carping today. Explored the river that I mentioned in my last trip. It is full of carp but many of them are on the smaller side. By that I mean 2-4 pounds. I discovered this barrier dam early in the day. Standing on the cement sides I could spot maybe 20 carp lying in various spots in the pool in the slacker water. I tried to position myself to work the area but it turned out to be tougher than I expected. I ended up with only one small carp about 3 pounds.

Here is a pic of the fish. After seeing that net full and overflowing with larger carp, that little one looks kind of dwarfed.

I moved up the river to the barrier spot were I was on the last trip. The fish were still there. I hooked another about 3 pounds and released him. Other carp were visible tailing but all looked about the same size. I decided to head for the lake. The carp were working the flats and it wasn't long until I hooked up.

These fish are consistently larger than the ones in the river. It's hard to leave this place! Here's a 6 1/2 pounder that I caught.

And here's a 5 1/2. This one was a really hard fighter - more so than even the larger ones I caught.

No really big ones today. I ended up with 2 @ 3 lbs, 1 @ 5 1/2 lbs, 1 @ 6 1/2 lbs., and 2 @ 7 1/2 lbs. Had some trouble with my camera so I didn't get pics of all the fish. Got to see some new country and found a couple of spots to check out on future trips. All in all it was a good day.

"Do You Fish for Anything Besides Carp?"

Yup. I like to fish for nearly every kind of freshwater fish. But carping has nearly taken over my interest because they are a challenge and they are BIG.