Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Goal.



A Good Sign There Might Be Carp Near By.

The day was January 3, 2011, the temperature was 54 degrees, and I was releasing a completely unexpected carp back into a lake. With it came the realization that I could potentially catch a carp every month of the year and thus, I made that my goal. Fast forward almost sixty days, and I was approaching a deadline. I hadn't caught a carp in the month of February and it was Sunday, February 27. The temperature was in the fifties again, and this would be my last shot to make something happen and keep the goal alive.


The Path...
Of Destruction.

Another problem besides the deadline, was the fact that I was in Delaware, and I haven't found too many prime locals for a shore bound fly angler to catch carp. I went to a place I had some previous luck at, despite only seeing one carp the previous day in four hours of fishing. The pond is completely encompassed by foliage. The thick and sharp kind. Needless to say, I was wearing a back up pair of waders. The day was relatively calm and I had sunny skies that would help me spot the tell tale outlines of carp in the murky water. I spotted several fish, but made way too much noise busting through brush to get into position. I had a shot at two nice fish, but I spooked their bodyguard, in the form of a turtle. 


This is Also a Small Cliff. 


Trying A New Rod. 
TFO BVK.


There Are Two Carp in This Picture.
Put Your Polarized On.


There Are Two More Here With Their Bodyguard.
I Spooked The Turtle & Thus Spooked The Carp.


How Do You Get Your Smell Off a Fly?
Place In Mud.


Step on It.




Good To Go.

Finally, I found a worthy fish. I eased into the water and saw one of my favorite fly fishing images. The dark silhouette of a feeding carp. He was in the shallows, his head literally in the bank munching away. These fish are the least likely to spook because they are actively feeding and concentrating at their current task. I worked my way along the bank before easing out a little bit to get a proper angle. Soon the ripples and vibrations across the water alerted him to my presence and he stopped feeding. He took his head out of the bank and rotated out, swimming under a small log. At this moment, I made my presentation & slowly drifted the damsel into position to intercept the fish. The fly slowly sunk meeting the carp at its current depth. He opened and sucked it in. I set, and the small five pounder took off. A carp can't deny an easy meal, especially when all he has to do is open his mouth. 


The Carp Destined To Take.
His Head Is In the Bank.
Dark Shape.


Carp & Carp Scenery. 


Water Clarity Was Low.


Average Fish From The Pond.
Biggest I've Seen Was Ten Pounds.


Victory!


Apparently, The Civil War Is Still Going On.
I Do Live in a Border State...

4 comments:

Mark Kautz said...

Now that February is complete, on to March. Keep going, you're doing fine. One a month.

Mark

testflycarpin said...

Awesome pictures and nice winter carp. Your pictures really tell the story in a great way.

The winter carp challenge is a tough one. I took it up this year to. So close but December trounced me!

Ivan said...

great story. i think it goes without saying that the winter months are the toughest.

Ahh the hickish joys of slower-lower Delaware.

Mark said...

I am anticipating December to be the toughest month by far, that and July, mainly because I don't think I'll be around to have a chance at a carp. It might come down to a single day.