Fishing Forum

I am looking into what it would take to catch Carp using flies... anyone out there have any advice on what to use, where to go, etc.??? any advice would be great.
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I can't help you on where as I don't know for that area. But I do know that it will be sight fishing. They are very spooky however, so try to be delicate and stealthy.
I say a 6, 7 or 8 wt rod for most cases. Floating line and long leaders of maybe 0X
I use a softhackle glow bug for the majority of my Carp, but Nymphs, Streamers, even dry flies all wotk. When you see lips on surface, cast a #12 Caddis. Make sure you flies have large gape hooks.
Cast a foot or so in front of them and wait. Pull hard when they are hooked up as they have rubbery lips. You literally need to Bill Dance the hook set.[]

Good Luck. First one you will be so addicted. I know, I am a Carpaholic.
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funny I see this post, i just went out today and caught some carp on the fly rod, i an using a 5wt and it was a long battle for the small car i was in, only 2 or 3 pounders at mostt. i was using a wf5f line with a 6lb mono leader i tied on, with san waun? <-- spelling? worms i was using pink and red, they both seemed to produce equally the same for me. and it was sight fishing, this was my first time targeting carp on the fly rod and my first time catching them, it is awesome to say the least. here is a pic of the first carp i have ever caught on a fly that was caught today, it is a pretty awesome feeling.
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That is a really nice one for a 5wt, Jeremy. Is it from the Portneuf?

The spelling doesn't really matter unless you are trying to look the fly up for tying or to see the different varieties etc. Just in case you do want to know, it is San Juan Worm.
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i knew it was a J and not a W oh well, yes it was from the portneuf, i was chasing some browns and seen a big school of 15 or 20 carp go by so i changed my fly to a san juan and chased them around for about an hour.
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Nice Mirror. Smallest I take is a 6 wt, but these carp are 30" and more.
This is a 6 wt and that stripping guide is at 36"


I thought of trying a 5 wt. but, I have a nice 8 wt that is designated carp stick.
I did land four with Tube Dude on a 6 weight Glass rod. I swear the tip could have touched my hand with the arch.
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i have an 8wt now but it has been to heavy for my normal catch, my 5wt feel just right for me, it is a cortland glass and it has allot of bend going on, i have a 3wt i want to try it is just an el cheapo shakespear, i found myself aquiring all these new rods all of a sudden, i want to get a 6 and see if I can feel a difference between the 5 and the 6 i need to get a reel for my 8wt ive been using my 5wt reel just to practice with the rod but i need a reel for it and some line to fit..
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Are you guys killing these carp? Crawdads gotta eat too.

Hard to beat the fight of a large carp hooked in the dorsal fin with a lipless crankbait on 8 lb test. Always gotta take your time and land them, my favorite one costs 20 bucks.

If fly poles weren't so long, I'd use them in tournaments.
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True that. But, I know the Carp in this area of the river are big. With the 8 weight I can muscle them in then get right after another.
I might try a 3wt for giggles.
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I didn't kill any of these carp from today, the place I was fishing is very localized no fish can get out of the spot. Havint killed a carp in about a year now, my 3wt is only 7'6" so not to long.
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I snagged a couple on a Jackall Squirrel and Jackall TN/60 last fall on a medium light with 8lb test. Definitely a fight, but I wasn't about to let those nasty buggers take my nice lures.

I caught this guy on a 4wt and a size 16 nymph while trout fishing last year. It took about 10 minutes to land.

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Are they the bomb or what? We use 7 wt. Geez, 3 wt? You guys are nuts. Holy smokes....that could be fun.
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Or you could break a 3wt.

On the flies to use: Crawdads, egg patterns, San Juan or chamois worms, woolybuggers, nymphs of all kinds
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Wow! the bomb is right! Is that one of them Paddle Boards?

Had good intents - curly tail jig, tipped with crawler, but the suckers ended up being easier to just snag. Pissed 'em off pretty good! Landed this 20lber on 8 lb test, and dorsal hooked is a tougher fight if you can't "guide" them by the mouth. Had tail hookups too- same story. Sheeze - those beast just don't tire!

This cow was as big as my leg, though we didn't put a tape to it. But probably 3ft. Would a foul-snag count for a C&R record on a non-game fish?
Buddy Bamaboy caught his first on a fly too. Not as big, but fun tugs all the same.

One of my fly goals for this year. Need to break out the san-juan, and get some puffballs...

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=809158;search_string=snagfest;#809158"]LINK TO POST[/url]

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Nice Catch! Any one have any ideas on where to go for carp on the fly around the Boise Area??
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Lake Lowell has plenty.
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They are called S.U.P. (stand up paddle). And some think they are a fluke...LOL

I agree, a 3 wt is just crazy, un;less fishing a pond with 24" and under carp.

I use a 6 or an 8 wt and 8 to10 lb tippet.

6 wt





8 wt





All caught on a fly and 90% the same fly pattern


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