Sunday, August 19, 2012

Carp myth #7

"Carp live in ugly places."

False.

I took the family into the Gorge today on a blackberry hunting expedition. When we got to the river JJ and I took a short walk and spotted some decent carp tailing in the shallows. A green soft hackle and 40 ft cast later (the Access 8 wt is pretty sweet) and he was duking it out with this nice 14 lber. JJ won.

It struck me though, how often I hear or read about Brownliners, drainage ditches, sewer pipes and the like when it comes to carp. Don't hate on the fish for being capable of living in the places mankind has done our best to destroy. Out here on my beloved Big C you can find carp anywhere, including the glory and grandeur of the Gorge. Trust me, it qualifies as beautiful.

So does this place:

And this place ain't bad either:

Truth is, carp live where they can...they just have an amazing ability to adapt. Where we choose to fish for them is really up to us.

 

11 comments:

testflycarpin said...

Nope, nothing to see here. Do NOT look for carp in pretty places. Please. That way I have them all to myself!

Jorge said...

Completely true, it's a false myth, sometimes. Carp fishing is great, wherever it takes place. Greetings from Spain!

John said...

Yeah, I appreciate my local flats. Gotta make the most of what's available.

How soon will JJ be taking carp all on his own? Or is he already?

John Montana said...

JJ and Elia catch them on bait, but not a fly rod yet. Next summer we'll give that a go for bass.

Gregg said...

Love all kid shots!!! Carp can live where almost nothing else will and survive in water at extremes of chemical criminality. I'm preaching to the choir. That fish deserves respect, maybe in a trillion years the IDFG will agree.

Gregg

Barry said...

Love your passion John. I share such a passion. Carp are remarkable creatures and terribly misunderstood.

Mark VanDehey said...

Great pics as usual John.

Mark VanDehey said...

Great pics as usual John.

Ty said...

Truth!

Mr. P. said...

Carp are amazing creatures indeed. In the Pacific Northwest we are fortunate to be able to choose beautiful places to fish.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures!