Flies for carp?

[Bobb-o]

anybody ever gotten any carp on a fly rod? i was thinking of trying this out this year. what pattern did you use or did you tie your own. I always see them hitting things on the surface but i dont know what they are eating

[Toad]

Hi Bobb-o,

Flyfishing can provide great sport for carp, particularly when, as you stated, they're feeding on or near the surface. Tough, super-exact casting is usually called for. But if your skills are up to the task of zipping out a perfect cast that lands the fly right in front of their snouts, it can be a real rush.

Best patterns for me have been a #12 or #10 White Wulff (for cottonwood seed feeders), #16 to #12 midge emergers, hares ear nymphs and, on occasion, a #14 Royal Wulff or Humpy. Try a 20 pound brusier on a 5 or 6 weight once. You'll be hooked for good.

Believe it or not, there's also a fairly serviceable book on the subject, entitled "Carp on the Fly," by Barry Reynolds and John Berryman, I believe.

-a friend,
Cory Schmidt

[This message has been edited by Toad (edited 06-24-2003).]