tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208921332024-03-15T12:28:01.730-07:00Carp on the FlyJohn Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.comBlogger717125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-7373632286616416112016-06-23T20:56:00.000-07:002016-06-23T20:56:52.284-07:00Lake MI
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Double" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NJhVSX5buqheNrq8taVlQIu0rQXSWIzsxDyhqBej50jOFQwHVQ6CNqp2tbnotLte8xuoMWxbnxShXRHkppy4urQzMISOiBZONOsaaYPYHE4gQNgWRtb3TQMh_UY2gCeff9dO/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">49 lbs of Carp</td>
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What can you really say about Lake MI? I love my home waters of the Columbia river, but every year I look forward to a few days on Lake MI with Justin. The big lake is unreal...just a treasure of a resource with clear water, firm flats, easy wading and big, meat eating carp. The window is narrow and the fish can dissapear on you in a hurry, but when the lake is on...it is ON.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Big Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjuG3Wkkf6tMuPd1LWDYU7xPR4wAK2umPSGfScyjv3XZSC7j-5jxUyLiRC5LD9pjtNfbcKZPjVo467WFa5vtm4ZKEZrK6RLxP1DqwIbDfDme4nUwTR6waZSG0EfYMifi5ek-Z/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad mama right here</td>
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This year was a perfect example of the glory and disaster that can be lake MI carp on the fly. Day one dawned cool, wet and with no sun in sight. Day two...ditto. We scraped and clawed our way to 4 total carp in two days and the only reason we weren't totally despondent and grumpy is we had each caught a couple of awe on fish. I lucked into a 34 lb catfish on day one; a lifetime fish for me that basically set me up for the entire trip, and Justin caught a 26 lb carp and a 10 lb freshwater drum. All were great catches, but none were on the flats we loved. Bottom line, with terrible weather the flats were empty and things looked bleak. Well...not that bad.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="giant cat" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-odRqDm4Kio1yij04oB2MxwdnNVoL7mqoq3OZ4LPw2sVsvwo-A9YXq2a4pw_6UFstj5mkMfaFQ9uVODFynZZtAehl9JPzaxbL-1BtulGZZdQ5h2inTnafFsG_K_v4s5FEKskR/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big kitty!</td>
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We woke day three and the sun was out. It was a bluebird day, perfect weather and a great wind. By late afternoon the water had warmed and fish were streaming into the shallows. We caught some fish, but really were just getting set up for what would be an absolute Mt. Rushmore day on day four. We sat in the hotel that night and tied flies like crazy people...we knew the fish were in, and we knew what they wanted.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Double" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6WNGUgxL-FX0gICIp7YL20P9qMM2najlsEsbvMk-igMRgeHDJcKSRhZg4jqID4JOdhtUKjP154sVIVK3GZizZzscMDo2Z-d2aeU60Xz2hk2Aq3sNmqo5ZJmRaQkxIrMdhphh/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Rushmore Indeed</td>
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By 930 on Day 4 I had two fish over 20 lbs to hand, and Justin had stuck some incredibly aggressive fish on the rock edges. All I can really say is we were glad we tied flies. We absolutely slayed carp. We found fish in every imaginable setting; cruising the rocks, laid up in the shallows, spawning, tailing (yes tailers on lake MI) and flat our marauding around like the Pirates of old. We fished all day, burned the sun into the water and walked out in a semi gloom and a rare silence between two old friends. We barely knew what to say. Once at the car, we looked at each other and went over a few numbers. Between the two of us, we had landed over 70 carp. I landed 8 fish over 20 lbs (my personal record) and Justin added two more to that for a total of 10. This day was easily on our Mt. Rushmore...and over the years J and I have had some days together on the water.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_nipF_jJlRx5Yiqc8QMpjhEE1FqmsOPSKOo3okbi0q5DbEC8XD3UoX5jJX1e8G872gy6D-Bt-8nMazpUdht1CaYavKC2msbwgW4A9TpBbzELfRD_JJCh3Qxg9g-eeTNlNMds/" alt="" width="500" height="374" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunk</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpAw2qmu7jaRvsIL9Zz9r6inV0iWUC-usrgjwWFIbbtB5e5LVoaCVYoDa_vpWBEFCmcjRG19zo7XFo5hIEWb1WF0mzobGt8AV7TV_1an_BhQDQe4MH6cg1tkzv88CXP93MShg/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meat Eater</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz4z4gRAfh-q5ps0vwsUpAzgu1VViDI5n9Jt_uj5Zfbwnv_5_HUuf7bpk9Z-joIO1o9YKqLU1PM6GDZmy4twGghXHmMy1sr1GeIW1mjpFAfZGPDU7yH5JW9CXZDOvnKYUe6Iv/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecs</td>
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The next day I flew home...but not before we stuck a few more carp. When Lake MI is on...it really is on. All told for the trip we landed roughly 100 carp, 3 cats, a handful of bass and a bunch of freshwater drum (plus one lonely quill back carp sucker). It is always a gamble to fly across the country and wander around in giant water looking for a spooky fish that rides the waves and the temperature variance...sometimes we get it wrong and that can suck. But then occasionally...we nail it. Getting it right once in a while is all you really need. We'll be back next year. Thanks for a great trip J!
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-20489249410256041022016-06-05T16:38:00.000-07:002016-06-05T16:38:12.688-07:00Spring fishingWhat can you possibly say about spring fishing?
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgT2oV82HGL_MtH8Mt32PMk7Bx6vEdijaEVX4PFqztkRaR-8sT_3QqIY4ILtV8JwD205Eci_92aAjjq_FBMbatS_6VhGqMRiTD8xXX7uXjyOZwTSdueFddW74T7WWbIppDYFu/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy with an 18 lber from carpcon2</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOsVfJ5JknsX2g-7sPwI5GApKbcbLc1KiyoCSPRLtfBnnDxaePpcPyEDslE9i2DWE1ZMVKzZbeAqlbK_w_WHiKY3QWtpDGqGxyLgoeBI53BVrw24yz_BblRk_fAWcscXNCfsY/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big gravel bar fish</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmjIetPu8nK7KpAcgw7EQlIOgYN8ctDglhyPSnqJAxCCq_ijBCm3JEjG8wTmiaxRS79MCZ-3UkuVID_JBkHM5Bdox0LaGJ1lUQNqbz4QEv4p4gzUPbEky196PEWzprERjrJSz/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flycarpin getting it done at carpcon2</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxK9rPnFF9gvCorJzFzvCBYxE6nPT74LNfNkVeGZsxNucvG-Yzq2P-T0EjqH6WTNuC8Wpq5rJoGJTsnpw9Urpg6kksuMnAOxBZT7RW4WVUWcdamglUWhLNJaVgamCJqbcN15J/" alt="" width="500" height="407" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a few as well</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRD3b6nb6RMS_PcGzJ8ksv8UZ79eENaFyGsvIetwj9vVJOs3mK0bBB0mHK0AFd1Sy5iNCYQzygCEtP_Uht9tb0KZxv3yJiI1N-_3pupUzrac6i_w2iRTDmk_6iNKVjUxr1ztz/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesson, always have the bigger fish.</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGXTSdA-sAodpiuESwcAlRWupbGl1k4AFp9-E4_PjvqzWy_pUquW2YEkvoSePEj0Kt19YwiRA-VkiVm4IvDS7Ev-qQ12IAc5JxcIqNUDp7l3FfZ3pjcvrYiD9gRmh3noUrSxU/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror, mirror</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z6TM1ZTPFTNg2K9g2VvJVzkV7ckr4-IOJL9sKVVspnzyPRjOfU93-gDV3uaVet5oyZk-gwr6pU64V2M2eYsLDLH2JFey_HQIFR0ZJLXEfSxuz1ZILZuyRDdTumB1Ae1UjW8N/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunner</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hyipOQoDxexBJLunx468euGSH2PGwjfl8K60geyJfvaGRJuxgbxqjLyIi8i-6zyQXdUu0BBKBhoeVqvwvfWM6RnfaUudBv18uGXDapvkJWyaK6Ecz8tG1KAZtAZbU8RbDvCj/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clam eater</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Carp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf971_VQH1SGUwHcY9MvxaeKc0HhhKOxge97zD0suVRUNsSyD34Xk-De5Q2lfRu1KzgyMPj5YnbqMhfx1Zu66CcTHfPTMZRvydKTfGg1Wo1aHbH1v_FvTbSSYpvnefYMJ179EG/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a girl and her carp</td>
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It has been a great spring!
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-6516766170018420722016-05-07T23:30:00.000-07:002016-05-07T23:30:53.411-07:00Heating up!
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Beast" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLdZEx8tjylNkS-o_GLLeoavJgGaImP1a-yTpoYqqIkNjoLHVgIB4JI2D3NEXQUQTynXtqq1IS7-D_zujw0lDMnneSU2F8WCrBQXzbvZOrgSnX1ObFhj4xIk4t_e3_1vr4-eZ/" alt="" width="500" height="426" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beast!</td>
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Great day on the water today! The fish are getting active and a well placed hybrid was generally rewarded with the sight of your backing. At one point, in a narrow channel just choked with carp, I had fish literally racing each other to the fly. That doesn't happen often on the big C. You gotta take advantage of it.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Mirro" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ir-UthjWnZZWbufSrKi-G66A1-0EudXr4Ca0QWCuI9LuT7LkSZk-N9bodvzRG11dNlwIGd5xre9gNMtQts9UdtMhvyKe34BFi_SS54wiftD8YEJBwKwhZJQlMdeavI8HQsGP/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love mirrors</td>
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I covered a lot of water, and it paid off. I ended the day landing four carp over 20 lbs, two big mirrors (15 and 17 lbs), a bunch of high teens fish and too many 8-11 lb fish to count. Unreal day of carping on the Columbia.
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Solid" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rk_u7yJDk14ErjkYQp_4BdnlWQUcjb9TLsKeVJXppNGqDZAvgjDwu7BxiLE_DSlDYHjWkbPo19i6ihoxvY7JmZfim0ha2qJ-4ypLowST5HQh4h50PXjbTqMYPEfpOav3TkI3/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solid</td>
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This was one for the memory bank. I love spring!
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-76052768796601423092016-04-11T18:31:00.000-07:002016-04-11T18:31:41.919-07:00Hot Streak Continues
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSsaqU2WjMp8OlF4GsB_JwRsRMeJvMakBzsMki0M4_LyKRigvKJkxK3HM-9eTNsV3ISiV-W3h889F0qmaIIlX2VQ7HyQ0offN2n-CT-17ZcDWfG8iFtrxkqcNvpl2VbqDbNoD/" alt="" width="500" height="374" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hybrid Eater</td>
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I was thinking about this fish on the way home today. Great fish, a solid 22 lbs and when combined with a 21 from earlier in the day, my hot streak continues. Not seeing a ton of fish, but the fish I am seeing are players, and the average size has been up this early season. The river should warm a bit in the next few weeks and it is going to be a fantastic May and June. Back to the fish above...super subtle take. She was tailing in thigh deep water and I couldn't really see her head...just a tail breaking the surface and a mud cloud. I made a good cast, and dragged the hybrid into position near the fish, then let it sink. As always, I made no attempt to watch the flies, and instead focused on the fish, but the real trick was I counted in my head. The very first thing I do when I get to the water is toss my two fly rig in knee and thigh deep water and get a count of how long it takes for those flies to hit bottom. Today, with the combo I had it was a five count. I watched the fish, and counted in my head and as I thought "five" the fish's tail sped up...just a tiny bit but knowing my flies had hit the bottom at that moment was enough. I set the hook and a few minutes later slid this beauty into the net.
It isn't talked about much but knowing your flies sink rate is crucial. In an ideal world you could always see your fly, but normally I can only see where they were during the drag, and I lose them on the drop. When that happens, focus on the fish, but count the flies down. On the big C carp will often reach up and take a sinking hybrid, but that take is easy to detect. The body position changes drastically and a white mouth flashes brightly. The eat once the flies are on the bottom is a lot harder to detect. It sure helps to know the exact moment your fly hits the bottom, as that is often the trigger for a clam eating Columbia river carp.
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-4738751535409824332016-04-03T20:00:00.000-07:002016-04-03T20:00:40.580-07:00Back in the saddle<table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="">
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrLArQeFrEhl5uYcZhyJ_MTBXinp8FdOzGlCH0Vi9KoP1CSK9YK08i7lO_dGk5SLVnJ_xjBJCX38U09HO34l7cul1Wr94nyRWb0wD3a8ehhbJgLky-jH80TYm1jn44gOTvL7y/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption">A good start!
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Early season out here is a crap shoot. If the sun is out for a few days in a row, the fish react well and you can have a great day. A little rain, clouds, or cold weather and you may as well stay home. Today looked good. Lots of consecutive sun, and I knew the ponds would be hot with active fish milling around. I started out in the am chasing pond fish, but that really isn't my favorite. After catching a few I decided to gamble and try an area of the river that sometimes heats up early. Well, it was hot!
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJ5Ocbishy8GxpNy-Zjaa-QCohQtTI0IEyfCZNpG-hDL-rGtpe7PJc9vAdAR6f80xQSU5ZkEhH_zyb6nogKLQWUQslhi2OkrEf7owR9CS0UfdrMQrC2jDfRIpL57FmbgkZLtt/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
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<td class="tr-caption">Hybrid Eater<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span>
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I walked about a mile without seeing a fish, but then I stumbled onto one...then two. A few minutes later I had seen 5 and while I was still fish less on the river, I knew I had a good chance. The first fish I hooked weighed 18 lbs, and then I found the mother load. A massive pile of fish had tucked into one stretch of river (it was notably warmer). I snuck through the river on the deep side, staying in the cold water and trying to pick out the biggest fish in the pile. That strategy worked. I could have caught more fish, but by being choosy, I caught all kinds of quality fish. I ended up with around a dozen or so carp, 4 really big ones at 20, 21, 22, and 24 lbs! All the fish ate the hybrid, with most of them eating on the drop. Only a couple were really tailing, but a well placed fly would get one of the sleeping fish to simply follow it down and when the mouth flashed white I would set the hook. Great first day on the river!
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<td style="text-align: center;"><img title="Gold" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Btknq66nh9zuaF2A3JbCep-_QGd1zGG3Q-0aTf0oFf6Lw1Cl8DnvUijH_Dw-oCqti0Gep0INMXhAmDZydXlSeHeuQcK7ec43j3n009BoCEA2dn5qgyxUQO_6o3YvovPc-2ZD/" alt="" width="500" height="375" data-json="" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love it when they give you the fin.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
I won't get out for a few weeks, but the water needs some more time anyway. All told I walked about 2 miles and all the fish were in a 100 yard area that had a nice temp difference. Overall, the river was pretty cold (46 degrees). Another couple of weeks when the temps get into the mid 50s and it is going to be red hot! Pray for more sun!
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-31928007685659717022016-01-31T19:39:00.001-08:002016-01-31T19:39:17.662-08:00Been a while<p> It has been an interesting year for blogging. I just haven't had the energy or desire to do much more than fire out the (very) occasional post. I blame most of this on me, some of it on work, and a part of it on social media. Instagram in particular is an easy blogging "cheat." A few words, a photo and boom...a post where you can talk some carp. Well, not writing tonight to do anything but continue to general apathy here. At least right now it is for a different reason. I haven't fished much, and probably won't until spring hits. JJ has the basketball bug and I am having too much fun working with him to worry about winter steelhead. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><p>That said...spring is coming soon. The carp will be in shallow and I will be there, rod in hand, stalking and hunting. It won't be long now. Winter sucks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45yj97aLYBY/Vq7TMz1FLEI/AAAAAAAAD9A/VqPk2pHQ5ck/s2048/Photo%25252020160131193806815.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45yj97aLYBY/Vq7TMz1FLEI/AAAAAAAAD9A/VqPk2pHQ5ck/s500/Photo%25252020160131193806815.jpg" id="blogsy-1454297939318.0122" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-64519287813573900932015-10-13T20:33:00.001-07:002015-10-13T20:33:01.458-07:00Last day of the season <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDe5ba_twAA/Vh3IQWmANqI/AAAAAAAAD8w/_3zJHHwiqyU/s1982/Photo%25252020151013201300066.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDe5ba_twAA/Vh3IQWmANqI/AAAAAAAAD8w/_3zJHHwiqyU/s500/Photo%25252020151013201300066.jpg" id="blogsy-1444792392512.2646" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="625" alt=""></a></div><p> The first fish I spotted was literally sitting motionless exactly where I had planned to step into the river. It was a pleasant surprise, but of course I managed to blow it. We started a hashtag on Instagram a year or two ago at the behest of my buddy Dan, owner of Carp Pro. I have been tagging photos #carppro for quite some time now, but in no way did I ever mean to claim that I was worthy of such a tag, it was meant as an homage to Dan's company, a great resource for us carp on the fly guys. I occasionally see someone tag a photo #notacarppro and then I feel bad. The moment I blew that fish on Sunday I made a mental note to add that hashtag to my list for frequent use. I figured that might be the best shot that I would get all day.</p><p>It wasn't. The fish were around, if not very active. I saw three tailing fish, and caugh them all. 2/3 of the way through my planned river walk, roughly one mile to go and I had seen 13 fish. In June, I would have expected to see 10 times that number in the same area. Things are winding down.</p><p>I finished with 8 to the net, with one nice 16 lber...no photo. I have too many photos. It was a casual day, and while I always get excited when a carp comes into view and I get to plan a stalk, I only had one real heart in my throat moment.</p><p>I was walking back, and moving quickly along the shoreline. Still, I couldn't resist poking my head through the brush now and again. I almost never recycle water on the big C but the numbers on the way out had been so low I figured a fish could pop up anywhere. I was right. I stuck my head through some brush and there was a giant log of a carp laying in the shallows. She wasn't eating, just sitting there, but any carp in knee deep water is programmed to at least acknowledge food. I snuck around behind her and found a hole in the brush, then stalked her from directly behind. At two rod lengths I made a flip cast and used a drag and drop and flip to put the flies into position...both sinking in a line perpendicular to the fish, each fly falling just where I wanted it to. She turned and ate the hybrid on the drop.</p><p>When I played basketball I never left a gym without making my last shot. Ever. I would sneak out of locker rooms in opposing gyms to make a quick layup, or grab a ball on my way to the bus. This felt like that. It felt like my last shot...but not a layup while the managers packed the bags, this was a game winning three from deep. She was a big fish, and she took off to my backing. I tried to get a mental image of just how long this fish was, but it was already slipping away. I looked around as the fish blasted into my backing, trying to find the right bush for the photo (the five of you that read this blog know I am good at photos of me, a fish and a bush!). All this cocky thinking and dreams of my college days...well, that shit don't fly when you haven't even handled the first run. She found the ledges, tucked into one, came tight for a moment and then sawed my leader in half. </p><p>So it goes. The big C for me is (probably) done. I missed my last shot, but as we get older even the shots we miss are pretty fun.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-19981313316043267602015-09-30T20:33:00.001-07:002015-09-30T20:33:43.631-07:00Social Media<p> I know the blog has been quiet this year. Simply put, time is an issue. It takes time to blog, so regrettably, social media has sort of become a much bigger outlet. It is awfully easy to post a picture on Instagram, say a few words and then interact via comments and direct messages. I have to admit, I dig Instagram. It is just way easier to interact with other carpers than through comments on a blog. I promise to write more this winter...I actually have a list of ideas jotted down, and quite a few single fish that I caught, or screwed up, have stuck in my head this season and will probably make it to the blog. It was a great year, not ready to officially call it as I plan to get out again, but it feels like the season is nearly over. I have at least one day in CO with the legendary McTage from Fly-Carpin coming up...can't wait to see his home water!</p><p>So until time allows more, check out #carponthefly on Instagram. There are over 11,000 photos under that hashtag...is it safe to say that catching carp on the fly is now mainstream?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rV2L4y_5bBY/VgypZbkhbeI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/R70KS1lRDOI/s2048/Photo%25252020150930203231883.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rV2L4y_5bBY/VgypZbkhbeI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/R70KS1lRDOI/s500/Photo%25252020150930203231883.jpg" id="blogsy-1443670380864.2007" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-38645450434861450782015-09-25T19:48:00.001-07:002015-09-25T19:54:31.584-07:00Alaska <p> Honestly, I have no idea what to say about this trip. Mike, Dan, Justin and I headed to the Royal Coachman Lodge for a week of fishing, and to leave my dad's ashes in some of the places he loved. Pretty clear that dad was with us the entire time, as the fishing, the experience, the place...it was all just amazing. The group at the Coachman is outstanding. All of the guides were respectful, as well as being top notch at their jobs. It is a tough thing, laying your dad to rest again, but he wanted to be up there, and I think we found some great spots and moments. </p><p>More later, but for now it is best to let a few photos tell the tale...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDzt8FqegXs/VgYGYUVoJpI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/HFblqZI6vP0/s1940/Photo%25252020150925194111569.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDzt8FqegXs/VgYGYUVoJpI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/HFblqZI6vP0/s500/Photo%25252020150925194111569.jpg" id="blogsy-1443236070353.0493" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="418"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NU8qlLV7J7E/VgYI5Iv7DpI/AAAAAAAAD78/gipxl3E4crI/s2048/Photo%25252020150925195426386.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NU8qlLV7J7E/VgYI5Iv7DpI/AAAAAAAAD78/gipxl3E4crI/s500/Photo%25252020150925195426386.jpg" id="blogsy-1443236070322.9504" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nFn46I3JnaY/VgYGsXyEBSI/AAAAAAAAD7g/h2Grc2zedVo/s1569/Photo%25252020150925194245391.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nFn46I3JnaY/VgYGsXyEBSI/AAAAAAAAD7g/h2Grc2zedVo/s500/Photo%25252020150925194245391.jpg" id="blogsy-1443236070325.8118" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNL09hyphenhyphenuhKMl2OHMcAYmf13K7Py2NtjGVruOt-nogHyRbnQM2_KoAl_V3FRbmfYDe4uozNeMAEQ0bHNktWXajCfgFgu3PWS_0utz4wj-JoqGuIJhwTm3twHbRt23E8jLP1hzz/s1569/Photo%25252020150925194245356.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNL09hyphenhyphenuhKMl2OHMcAYmf13K7Py2NtjGVruOt-nogHyRbnQM2_KoAl_V3FRbmfYDe4uozNeMAEQ0bHNktWXajCfgFgu3PWS_0utz4wj-JoqGuIJhwTm3twHbRt23E8jLP1hzz/s500/Photo%25252020150925194245356.jpg" id="blogsy-1443236070357.8264" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-397gxp39-Ik/VgYGuYYWm_I/AAAAAAAAD7w/-ZJMKPy98oM/s1569/Photo%25252020150925194245347.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-397gxp39-Ik/VgYGuYYWm_I/AAAAAAAAD7w/-ZJMKPy98oM/s500/Photo%25252020150925194245347.jpg" id="blogsy-1443236070305.9446" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a></div><p> Photos are from a variety of cameras...the good ones are likely Justin or Dan's. </p><p> </p><p>Huge thanks to my friends for going with me. I had a few tough moments up there, and simply couldn't have done this alone.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-4408390533754861222015-09-03T10:27:00.001-07:002015-09-03T10:27:10.289-07:00AlaskaBeen a slow year on the blog, for that I apologize. Frankly, my energy has been spent elsewhere, which I don't regret. I'm also about to take off for Alaska with some good friends. This trip is a repeat from several years ago with my dad, and while I am excited to see that great state again, I'm a little nervous as well. I'm bringing my dad with me, intending to spread his ashes on many of the places he loved. This will be a bittersweet trip, but I plan to do my best to focus on the moment and find the joy...that is what my dad would have done. <br />
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We all fly to Anchorage on Sept. 12th and I'm sure I'll have something to say about this trip. I've been reading through the old reports (Sept. of 2011 if anyone is interested) and found this comment from my dad. He really was the best.<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">It was a trip that was truly an adventure as
well as just plain fun. It was comically difficult for John to have the guides
do everything for him (I loved being pampered totally!) and he was always
jumping out of the boat in the middle of the river to cast or land a fish
(which is normally fully frowned upon and not allowed. One can wade fish fine
but it begins after going to shore and having a steady platform to exit and
reenter). After the first day, the word got around that his ol' man didn't
worry about him drowning and was secretly hoping he'd slip and soak himself so
they just put up with it and hoped he didn't break an ankle during landings. We
had a woderful time and we didn't even have to untangle the fly lines when John
wasn't paying attention and cast when I was casting to poach a fish in front of
him. When he would whine about me supposed to be fishing out and down from the
boat, I would just turn off my hearing aids.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Every single lunch break, a fabulous affair with
each item served by the guide as I relaxed in wonderful style, John would keep
fishing. Of course he'd hook one just as my coffee was being poured or the
guide was fixing my soup after handing me a huge sandwich and they would get
this anxious look to grab the net and move to the action. I pointedly informed
them that this was a Union Shop and they were entitled to serve me and enjoy
their own meal and forget about John. He could land his own fish or loose them!
We were going to have lunch! So, to compromise, the guides ate fast. John beached
many a bruiser anyway and always held the fish up trying to make me jealous or
something. I'd raise my coffee cup to acknowledge that yes, I did see that
battle.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Reel John Montana<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-34316449608815090202015-07-25T19:53:00.001-07:002015-07-25T19:53:51.007-07:00Horse head<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qUxsaZEaK8U/VbRLMMk3KqI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/8yrdfyGB8ps/s1436/Photo%25252020150725195118476.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qUxsaZEaK8U/VbRLMMk3KqI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/8yrdfyGB8ps/s500/Photo%25252020150725195118476.jpg" id="blogsy-1437879098846.065" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Fishing is getting tougher, but if you work for em, you can find em. Hooked this big horse head today on a size 10 hybrid. Dark clouds, rain, and 20 mph winds...not exactly a carpers dream but the best time to fish is when you can fish.</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-41634459887158767522015-07-21T10:03:00.001-07:002015-07-21T10:03:44.334-07:00Haven't had time to write<div>
But the fishing has been pretty good of late. Only issue is the weeds. Bring heavy tipper and hang on tight. The low water and weed cover is a tough combo, but there are still fish to be caught!<br />
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Been fishing this Swift Flyfishing Epic bandit, an 8 foot ten weight glass rod. Super fun! Paired with a ridiculously loud Orvis battenkill Spey reel, it makes for an entertaining set up. Elia went with me this last outing, and introduced me to her "stealth" mode. This seemed to consist of laying in the water with just her head showing and crawling along the bottom to avoid spooking the carp. Not super effective, but she sure enjoyed it. </div>
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Get out and fish!</div>
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-6191523448116471802015-06-26T20:51:00.001-07:002015-06-26T20:51:23.877-07:00Lake MI<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZ2cq0cQeZM/VY4crNOn8ZI/AAAAAAAAD24/ohwmTxqg1LQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150626224534366.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZ2cq0cQeZM/VY4crNOn8ZI/AAAAAAAAD24/ohwmTxqg1LQ/s500/Photo%25252020150626224534366.jpg" id="blogsy-1435377075188.9495" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Halfway through the trip, and fishing has been tough. The water temps are down and we didn't get any sun until this afternoon. Still, getting to fish meat is always a great change of place for me. J stuck this 24 lb beast on a giant black closer, and Travis got this 23 on a big bunny leech.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCuhCJTPqE8/VY4cj_42J9I/AAAAAAAAD2w/T3rgqXsshcQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150626224534358.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCuhCJTPqE8/VY4cj_42J9I/AAAAAAAAD2w/T3rgqXsshcQ/s500/Photo%25252020150626224534358.jpg" id="blogsy-1435377075187.201" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> I managed a 20 lber on a bunny leech today, and a handful of other fish. Having q great time, but hope the fishing heats up a bit!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NxQnk5m81rE/VY4dnaFu22I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/W_XpmYUVbAY/s2048/Photo%25252020150626225003813.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NxQnk5m81rE/VY4dnaFu22I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/W_XpmYUVbAY/s500/Photo%25252020150626225003813.jpg" id="blogsy-1435377075194.7656" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W1jYzFPoK44/VY4diAarSdI/AAAAAAAAD3I/EX0NwSHQO-s/s1548/Photo%25252020150626225003827.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W1jYzFPoK44/VY4diAarSdI/AAAAAAAAD3I/EX0NwSHQO-s/s500/Photo%25252020150626225003827.jpg" id="blogsy-1435377075205.8125" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-57552737525528914982015-06-23T20:35:00.001-07:002015-06-23T20:35:27.512-07:00A few pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1iJ02nln9j-6fv5_WftmChZuY-cHQo4hfju5Vqoh95v-GUb_XFnxKAob1MH_4X0_K9_YLZwyFEsQtKHiGavEVw2gJZaFnsUrM3bNdwz8R-BYPfbaox6JhPxv8XH2WAZLZ7VB/s2048/Photo%25252020150623202346229.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1iJ02nln9j-6fv5_WftmChZuY-cHQo4hfju5Vqoh95v-GUb_XFnxKAob1MH_4X0_K9_YLZwyFEsQtKHiGavEVw2gJZaFnsUrM3bNdwz8R-BYPfbaox6JhPxv8XH2WAZLZ7VB/s500/Photo%25252020150623202346229.jpg" id="blogsy-1435116715759.8428" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The spring season on the Columbia has been memorable. My buddies and I have been just crushing large fish, with more 20 plus fish to hand at this point in the year than I can remember. The water has been low, and the big fish have been more accessible than most years. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqbUIIAEhsU/VYoi6LHEKdI/AAAAAAAAD18/Vx-Gc5UTpTA/s2048/Photo%25252020150623202346237.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqbUIIAEhsU/VYoi6LHEKdI/AAAAAAAAD18/Vx-Gc5UTpTA/s500/Photo%25252020150623202346237.jpg" id="blogsy-1435116715768.6357" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Overall, the fishing has just been outstanding. With the low water, fish have been easy to spot and takes have been memorable. The catch? We are going to pay for this great fishing as the season continues. The weeds are already up and causing issues...too early for these weeds! On a recent outing with Travis, we spent the day hunting, and finding big fish. We even managed to feed a bunch of them flies, but we lost most of them to massive weedbeds. The weeds are hear to stay.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QCaYo2l6uqI/VYoi7Alz09I/AAAAAAAAD2E/g5-766tUY90/s2048/Photo%25252020150623202346234.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QCaYo2l6uqI/VYoi7Alz09I/AAAAAAAAD2E/g5-766tUY90/s500/Photo%25252020150623202346234.jpg" id="blogsy-1435116715704.8872" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="353"></a></div><p> We still have months of fishing ahead of us, but the back end of July and August are going to be super tough this year. There isn't much water, and the weeds will be brutal. Get out there if you can over the next few weeks!</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-38598905197717954692015-06-01T22:01:00.001-07:002015-06-01T22:01:27.799-07:00Carpocalypse 2015!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_yqa-qulAM/VW03QKAc4LI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Cmty0qIYc4c/s1200/Photo%25252020150601215516799.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_yqa-qulAM/VW03QKAc4LI/AAAAAAAAD1c/Cmty0qIYc4c/s500/Photo%25252020150601215516799.jpg" id="blogsy-1433221275270.5896" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p> It is time! Want to catch fun fish, win cool prizes, and share in the fun? No need to show up on my home river (but I hope to see you at the kick off event and fish along we have planned)...this year, you can join the fun online! Click <a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eb06yhcde38cb345&llr=qos84qpab" target="_blank" title="">HERE</a> to register. Sign up, post photos, visit the sponsors and have a gray time chasing carp!</p><p> Huge thanks to <a href="https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/sunglasses/" target="_blank" title=""></a><a href="http://www.orvis.com" target="_blank" title="">Orvis</a>, <a href="https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/sunglasses/" target="_blank" title="">Costa</a>, Carp Pro and <a href="http://www.scientificanglers.com" target="_blank" title="">Scientific Anglers</a>...these guys love carp!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-72100001232125990522015-05-31T20:11:00.001-07:002015-05-31T20:11:06.443-07:00Clouds are the devil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOgBQrSFTXQ/VWvMpAob-ZI/AAAAAAAAD0w/Y6VNJNwwELs/s2048/Photo%25252020150531200715411.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WOgBQrSFTXQ/VWvMpAob-ZI/AAAAAAAAD0w/Y6VNJNwwELs/s500/Photo%25252020150531200715411.jpg" id="blogsy-1433128258937.6975" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> You cannot underestimate the importance of direct sunlight when chasing carp on the fly. Today, Teri, Ross and I stalked the flats of the big C with zero light. It was rough. Fish were caught, but when you can't see the fish week, getting any semblance of numbers on the board is tough. On the big C...inches make the difference between and eat, and an ignore. Despite the challenges, we all stuck some fish!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0UsgAFJEkLo/VWvMqWLqpGI/AAAAAAAAD04/vKmhBeIWOsc/s2048/Photo%25252020150531200715408.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0UsgAFJEkLo/VWvMqWLqpGI/AAAAAAAAD04/vKmhBeIWOsc/s500/Photo%25252020150531200715408.jpg" id="blogsy-1433128258974.3728" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> But really, who cares about numbers when the weather is warm and company is good. Fishing with Teri and Ross is always a pleasure. They are both expert anglers who are out there for one thing...to have fun! We enjoyed the little moments today, and it was fantastic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xyNqYltlnM/VWvMrhyzllI/AAAAAAAAD1A/mO7eU90hTbY/s2048/Photo%25252020150531200715404.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xyNqYltlnM/VWvMrhyzllI/AAAAAAAAD1A/mO7eU90hTbY/s500/Photo%25252020150531200715404.jpg" id="blogsy-1433128258954.116" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Oh...and the "guide" even got a fish or two as well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8M8lQf0nN20Qe-ArQNP38bwAr-HEBpCcdqsOj6aFi_jW7QYchDdZdKwG8Tm4aDLBxny7l8CBLi-V0FwlQZjgDulleyV2rm1lUrQfa2zJSpKot5Pa1WQMUS4CCc1tbIRaPSq2/s2048/Photo%25252020150531200715422.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8M8lQf0nN20Qe-ArQNP38bwAr-HEBpCcdqsOj6aFi_jW7QYchDdZdKwG8Tm4aDLBxny7l8CBLi-V0FwlQZjgDulleyV2rm1lUrQfa2zJSpKot5Pa1WQMUS4CCc1tbIRaPSq2/s500/Photo%25252020150531200715422.jpg" id="blogsy-1433128258999.6672" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-84619100929384463272015-05-24T19:13:00.001-07:002015-05-24T19:13:49.699-07:00Quick outing<p> I owe a big report on the trip with Cam, Wendy, Dan, Trevor and Travis...but I just haven't had time to write it. Too many things happening at work and home, will get something together soon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_uNVwN_KRfXY9O6ngIMuDsQfzuEtxg9ldiSZuQWMWst9gCU2iNSseVshARYsQPtIAfv29trVCE0kNWFNXP-Jgz7_IVqh5Yvek1ywSEY-WC-A3FmLjxsSk02IeSybZ_O9spNl/s2048/Photo%25252020150524190746733.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_uNVwN_KRfXY9O6ngIMuDsQfzuEtxg9ldiSZuQWMWst9gCU2iNSseVshARYsQPtIAfv29trVCE0kNWFNXP-Jgz7_IVqh5Yvek1ywSEY-WC-A3FmLjxsSk02IeSybZ_O9spNl/s500/Photo%25252020150524190746733.jpg" id="blogsy-1432520020891.8518" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Had to put up a few photos of today's outing though. Elia and I wet waded some river, and it was stupid fun. She fell in several times, the wind was up and water cold but Elia is a trooper. She just loves being out there, and isn't bothered but crap like cold water. She laughs, nets fish, fights fish, digs in the mud and is just a phenomenal companion.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blp_xcx4bI0/VWKEICan-pI/AAAAAAAAD0E/ehlau1xPzY0/s2048/Photo%25252020150524190746727.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blp_xcx4bI0/VWKEICan-pI/AAAAAAAAD0E/ehlau1xPzY0/s500/Photo%25252020150524190746727.jpg" id="blogsy-1432520020882.048" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> She was soaked all day, and not one word of complaint. Instead, I got to hear her talk about all sorts of stuff, and come up with creative names like "fishfish" and "Mr. Fishy" as we landed carp after carp. No twenties today, one nice 18 lber but I laughed my ass off all day long. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Ujy7Fbq9XM/VWKEJW4Ap6I/AAAAAAAAD0M/nkP39MWnZMc/s2048/Photo%25252020150524190746721.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Ujy7Fbq9XM/VWKEJW4Ap6I/AAAAAAAAD0M/nkP39MWnZMc/s500/Photo%25252020150524190746721.jpg" id="blogsy-1432520020845.8489" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We even got close enough for her to see a couple of eats, which she thought was really awesome. Fantastic day on the water with my little girl.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_OK94m-o9c/VWKEGKQRIMI/AAAAAAAADz0/Lg38OLtpItM/s2048/Photo%25252020150524190746743.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_OK94m-o9c/VWKEGKQRIMI/AAAAAAAADz0/Lg38OLtpItM/s500/Photo%25252020150524190746743.jpg" id="blogsy-1432520020870.6125" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-44946356081044222992015-05-17T21:22:00.001-07:002015-05-17T21:22:31.545-07:00Carpcon <p> Just off the river after four days. The fishing wasn't epic, but the company sure was! Cameron from The Riberglass Manifesto, Dan from Carp Pro, Wendy Berrell from Fishing and Yhinking in Minnesote and Trevor from FlyCarpin all descended on the river. Travis from Trashfishing and Funhogging joined as well. It was an all star crew, even with a hack like me along to bring down the overall skill level. More to come, but I wanted to post a quick thanks to all the boys and their families...what a great time!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm5ACHPutOUvLOG2DO5hX2oZr26fEl32CaFoZM0SuUPWoVzMmjN7xndyVc47c1-A7nuTRNrDHwaO8Q-ssO8GoWs3m5L8A5lVDo1WyMG7_3C4HDVjsyPkFYaHhlK5ow1oxIylY/s2048/Photo%25252020150517212139870.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm5ACHPutOUvLOG2DO5hX2oZr26fEl32CaFoZM0SuUPWoVzMmjN7xndyVc47c1-A7nuTRNrDHwaO8Q-ssO8GoWs3m5L8A5lVDo1WyMG7_3C4HDVjsyPkFYaHhlK5ow1oxIylY/s500/Photo%25252020150517212139870.jpg" id="blogsy-1431922939582.137" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-17571649810615533462015-05-08T19:55:00.001-07:002015-05-08T19:55:57.149-07:00The white whale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_37HVoy7pM/VU11KvlfBDI/AAAAAAAADyo/6sKsajtrvRk/s2048/Photo%25252020150508194621675.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_37HVoy7pM/VU11KvlfBDI/AAAAAAAADyo/6sKsajtrvRk/s500/Photo%25252020150508194621675.jpg" id="blogsy-1431140113393.8337" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> For over ten years I have been hunting for a 20+ lb mirror on the big C. I have seen exactly two caught, a 21 and a 23. I have hooked one myself, and lost it at my feet in one of the more heartbreaking moments I can recall while fishing the big C. Today, I found her...24 lbs to be exact. She was tailing on the edge of a gravel bar, perpendicular to me. Unfortunately there was a small fish between me and the mirror, and that little fish made a cast impossible. She was slightly in front of the tailing mirror, so any cast would have loved the small fish. I took a look around and realized my only angle was from the deep water. I waded out chest deep, and closed the distance to the mirror. Now I was directly behind her...not an ideal shot, but one I knew I could make. Remarkably...I didn't screw it up. The flies landed, I did a little drag and flip and the big mirror ate the hybrid like she had been waiting ten years for that fly. Remarkable moment, one I doubt I ever forget.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6L65PJxoL3rrr4TBn73clJwf0rXmac_lklt9W28-2m8-GHlE2isojxDniEnbtykPkPlZEflUPCl9pJ2ebGlbLZvljKCUSZEz3V0D0dWlsKZp6EYFfwv-TjRc1EoHcLBdzpZe/s2048/Photo%25252020150508194621669.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6L65PJxoL3rrr4TBn73clJwf0rXmac_lklt9W28-2m8-GHlE2isojxDniEnbtykPkPlZEflUPCl9pJ2ebGlbLZvljKCUSZEz3V0D0dWlsKZp6EYFfwv-TjRc1EoHcLBdzpZe/s500/Photo%25252020150508194621669.jpg" id="blogsy-1431140113386.5403" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> The rest of the day is a haze of takes...some big fish (4 over 20 on the day) and one stunning fully scaled mirror, but that one moment is all I can really think about right now. I have been looking for that fish for a long long time...the only thing better than the moment she ate was watching her swim away. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHby11t_2cY/VU11M_tzpJI/AAAAAAAADy4/guta2PCjPmo/s2048/Photo%25252020150508194621665.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHby11t_2cY/VU11M_tzpJI/AAAAAAAADy4/guta2PCjPmo/s500/Photo%25252020150508194621665.jpg" id="blogsy-1431140113337.418" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-42009197001762893782015-05-03T22:11:00.001-07:002015-05-03T22:11:31.353-07:00So easy an 8 year old can do it<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQBB7C5DPNwsPO2hdaqf-E_Hn1QIn6-Sb1AAzVM0vcXwH213mc0ND082a8EfpZ6sxhHqSdNVcuNMTwfUJuhFugQdDkRKjR2ZKwgwpUlnb7EE-0nYFkgrvcIc-9l9Dv0oV6zcx/s2048/Photo%25252020150503220105078.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQBB7C5DPNwsPO2hdaqf-E_Hn1QIn6-Sb1AAzVM0vcXwH213mc0ND082a8EfpZ6sxhHqSdNVcuNMTwfUJuhFugQdDkRKjR2ZKwgwpUlnb7EE-0nYFkgrvcIc-9l9Dv0oV6zcx/s500/Photo%25252020150503220105078.jpg" id="blogsy-1430716132634.195" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Sort of. JJ is a trooper, but putting a fly within 4 inches of a carp he can't really see is well beyond his current skills. Still, he makes a great net guy, and if I hook em, he is willing to wrangle them into submission for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_knqvstVRI/VUb9IxMfJpI/AAAAAAAADx8/RTTnFgeT2_c/s2048/Photo%25252020150503220105076.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_knqvstVRI/VUb9IxMfJpI/AAAAAAAADx8/RTTnFgeT2_c/s500/Photo%25252020150503220105076.jpg" id="blogsy-1430716132589.7144" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="598"></a></div><p> We went big fish hunting today. This means you ignore sure bets, and work the edges, the in between, the forgotten water. You leave the flats and stumble through the cobble and climb amongst the rip rap. The climbing might just be JJ's favorite part. It worked. We stuck fish, and JJ had three fish on the line that I am positive were 20 plus, but a 20 plus in a boulder field is a bit much for any intrepid 8 year old and we lost all three. When I hooked the next beast, JJ stuck with the net and I steered the fish clear of obstructions and JJ somehow fit the 25 lb head into the net.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sQcTWcK2A-8/VUb9LL_9sOI/AAAAAAAADyM/vO029L7PUHQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150503220105073.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sQcTWcK2A-8/VUb9LL_9sOI/AAAAAAAADyM/vO029L7PUHQ/s500/Photo%25252020150503220105073.jpg" id="blogsy-1430716132665.3857" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> We hooked one more big one, 22 lbs, and this time we had some open water. JJ battled hard for several minutes, but succumbed to a smashed knuckle when the wily carp made for the far shore and the knob on the reel turned to a blur. He handed me the rod and went for the net again...it was a total team effort.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vF2SP4r1Akw/VUb9Jylj5cI/AAAAAAAADyE/QT8EQQ6fVwo/s2048/Photo%25252020150503220105075.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vF2SP4r1Akw/VUb9Jylj5cI/AAAAAAAADyE/QT8EQQ6fVwo/s500/Photo%25252020150503220105075.jpg" id="blogsy-1430716132648.3" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> I remember days with my dad from when I was a kid. Good days...days like today with my own son. Here is to many more. </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-79786103049382190562015-04-29T20:50:00.001-07:002015-04-29T20:50:18.286-07:00Saturday May 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1eaC5jxixxva8tL1Q2NH517C0AxFXBKAeZcY4tj38_5-_s0xmxCFlzIeJKFM85PFqtQrcbBa80RNmpw77kaZrsM5W4LZ9JoaUzDMAUDAfqBkS5VgmCZFfJAzdkZmYQEjYUoQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150429204829446.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1eaC5jxixxva8tL1Q2NH517C0AxFXBKAeZcY4tj38_5-_s0xmxCFlzIeJKFM85PFqtQrcbBa80RNmpw77kaZrsM5W4LZ9JoaUzDMAUDAfqBkS5VgmCZFfJAzdkZmYQEjYUoQ/s500/Photo%25252020150429204829446.jpg" id="blogsy-1430365741498.1567" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p> Come say hello at Orvis in Bridgeport Village this Saturday, May 2nd at 11 am. I will be there talking carp..hope to see you there!</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-45110428126481002142015-04-26T20:47:00.001-07:002015-04-26T20:47:20.832-07:00The hot streak continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i8Jp_uFvKl4/VT2uTxXfTGI/AAAAAAAADw4/CyKVK55yyE4/s2048/Photo%25252020150426203334411.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i8Jp_uFvKl4/VT2uTxXfTGI/AAAAAAAADw4/CyKVK55yyE4/s500/Photo%25252020150426203334411.jpg" id="blogsy-1430106368833.7507" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Wow. I have had some great carp fishing the past few years, sometimes I write about it, sometimes I don't. I have my share of bad days too, sometimes I write about those, sometimes I don't. My last two outings have been nothing short of spectacular. Insane fishing. Not only have I been able to find the fish, but they have been active...tailing aggressively, working the shallows and pockets and making obvious moves to the fly. It is this last part that is remarkable on my water. They don't often make it easy, but today the carp were very cooperative.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cTmsed_6b2Y/VT2uViMmukI/AAAAAAAADxA/gHCajf6kCiA/s2048/Photo%25252020150426203334415.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cTmsed_6b2Y/VT2uViMmukI/AAAAAAAADxA/gHCajf6kCiA/s500/Photo%25252020150426203334415.jpg" id="blogsy-1430106368903.1782" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p> Today was similar to last week...big numbers and plenty of size. I landed 4 fish over 20 lbs, the largest being a 22 lb slab that ate a hybrid in skinny, skinny water. I will be seeing that take in my head for weeks. I found carp in mud, sand, cobble, gravel...it just didn't seem to matter. The fish were in, and they were hungry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiHYZb2geaYFde7uGgu-zavdiSwDDuGtMOeT5fb-NXeWqYbiRiWKGdIQCFh4INxrEnK52cbEVdd-5LC-3AzTzRqYzYrfHViuV746kudex9N00loYW9r3Dyu4cbAkl_duJykDm/s2048/Photo%25252020150426203334413.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiHYZb2geaYFde7uGgu-zavdiSwDDuGtMOeT5fb-NXeWqYbiRiWKGdIQCFh4INxrEnK52cbEVdd-5LC-3AzTzRqYzYrfHViuV746kudex9N00loYW9r3Dyu4cbAkl_duJykDm/s500/Photo%25252020150426203334413.jpg" id="blogsy-1430106368840.6277" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="380"></a></div><p> The best part...it still isn't May. This is the just Preseason! </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-63825245877128898772015-04-20T09:50:00.002-07:002015-04-20T09:50:49.815-07:00Sometimes it comes togetherWhen things are right on the big C, things are REALLY right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljscbfHTYGElKzQIT5A-GfdQpm9SqqqioQqIHtWlfj6MhszqLZ4FxvFww6D5CiNeSLTI4BojhTRLnOpSuF9iCkf00tHl13VJmP9xd4koi6s-iKPU8EeDGlhjqA-bzEKS5dp_E/s1600/april+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljscbfHTYGElKzQIT5A-GfdQpm9SqqqioQqIHtWlfj6MhszqLZ4FxvFww6D5CiNeSLTI4BojhTRLnOpSuF9iCkf00tHl13VJmP9xd4koi6s-iKPU8EeDGlhjqA-bzEKS5dp_E/s1600/april+1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sun came out, the fish came out, and shit got crazy in a hurry. Yesterday, I caught more carp than I have ever caught in a single day on the Big C...and that isn't a small number. Insane fishing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvtu5p89QMX5hImcOBEV1HvW-RcjydUcnF4bc2E-SGlZs2vtszvl2-iUCzE12c_CL7t3S5Gnb8A9rivBQU57hm8PZY8p8kU8duKS9CpSGU4cJmKxJuGySiPiatPp-Mvq5xnpc/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvtu5p89QMX5hImcOBEV1HvW-RcjydUcnF4bc2E-SGlZs2vtszvl2-iUCzE12c_CL7t3S5Gnb8A9rivBQU57hm8PZY8p8kU8duKS9CpSGU4cJmKxJuGySiPiatPp-Mvq5xnpc/s1600/April.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some days you just end up smiling.</div>
John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-82585602122008109042015-03-24T21:51:00.001-07:002015-03-24T21:51:36.641-07:00Death March<p> Just found something I wrote last spring...pretty sure I never posted this, but if I did...well, the 5 people that read this blog can skip it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QfbShiCsgfo/VRI-yoVI_UI/AAAAAAAADwE/Jf8Ouq7QiBU/s2048/Photo%25252020150324214934230.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QfbShiCsgfo/VRI-yoVI_UI/AAAAAAAADwE/Jf8Ouq7QiBU/s500/Photo%25252020150324214934230.jpg" id="blogsy-1427259088176.241" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I call it the Death March for a lot of reasons. One is as simple as it sounds...it is a long fucking way out and back! Mixed in there are some other, less obvious reasons. First, part of the walk is that nasty, softball sized cobble...you know, the kind that makes you roll your ankles, slip, stumble, and general force yourself to face the fact that you are not as agile as you once were. Second...you occasionally have to slog long distances through waist deep water, and it is dead water too. You don't see carp there so you push through it hard, moving fast and burning your thighs. The gravel bar on the other end of the dead water always makes it worth the effort though. Lastly, the return trip when you are not really fishing can be a monster. The distance you travel when on the hunt is always deceptive, and it seems a lot farther when walking back, facing the aforementioned softballs, deep water pushing, and even some side hill and rip rap leaping. </p><p>All in all, the Death March is not for the faint of heart.</p><p>It can be especially nasty in August, when the temps might hit 105 and the sun bakes down, burning through your buff. The wind never blows in August, and the carp are monstrously difficult in a dead calm. One plop too close, one drag and drop with too much wake and they bolt off of the gravel bars and pockets like rockets...20 lb rockets. On multiple occasions I have landed four carp over 20 lbs on the Death March, perhaps why I keep punishing my body and my skills with this water. The big fish don't hang out where you can easily reach them, so you need to put in the work. You need to wear out your boots, and return home with raccoon eyes, dehydrated, tired, but often exhilarated.</p><p>Last year I slogged along the Death March, solo. Hunting for big fish, passing up shots at "ordinary" 9-10 lb carp. I was after the 20s...the big gravel bar fish that you only find when your time and path happens to intersect that of a big carp, sliding into the shallows to feed. These big girls don't hang out up there...they come in with a purpose, complete their need, and then ghost off into the deep, safe water. You need to walk to find em...and hope. But if you wander around long enough, it will come together.</p><p>I spotted the tail first. Bigger than my hand and slapping gently at the water from side to side, pushing its face between the cobble and rocks, digging out clams and nymphs and having a grand old time. This was a big fish, 100 feet away and happy as they get. Carp on the fly is about decisions, and I needed to make quite a few at this moment. How to approach this fish? Do I have the right fly? How close can I get? What is my best angle?</p><p>The options ran through my head but came back essentially a big zero. This, was going to be tough. There was 100 feet between me and the fish. 100 feet of nasty, slippery cobble that limited my stealth options. Only about 6 feet of water from the shore to the deeps was fishable...it immediately dropped into 5-8 foot of depth, so sneaking out deep and to the side wasn't an option at all. This was going to be a straight stalk...right up the bank at the fish...careful footstep by careful footstep until I was in position. I ran through the first three rules in my head.</p><p>1). Know your forage.</p><p>2). Don't cast until you can see its head.</p><p>3). You gotta make em move.</p><p>Then I got after it. I put one foot in front of the other, slowly. I went as slow as I could force myself to go, then slowed down even more. I used the trees on the bank to break up my outline and I moved along. 80 feet out...the fish was still happily feeding. 60 feet out, and I can make that cast but rule #2 popped into my head, so I kept creeping. One more step and a real problem suddenly emerged. 20 feet away, just 35 or 40 feet from my fish was a small, actively feeding carp. No chance of sneaking by this fish, and I had zero interest in catching this fish. I stopped and pondered this situation for a minute. Immediately I knew I had to spook this carp, but I couldn't spook it hard for fear it would make a ruckus, and take the big girl with it into the depths. I rejected the idea of lining the fish, or doing anything that involved me getting any closer. Instead...I slowly stood up out of my crouch and inched to my left to make my profile show against the sky...ever so slowly. I stood there, exposed, but not moving. The small carp stopped feeding, and turned and swam off with great dignity. It knew something wasn't right, but hadn't hard spooked. The game was still on.</p><p>I crept closer, muttering "rule #2" under my breath. 50 feet...40 feet, I nearly stopped here but the fish was still mostly a general shape in the glare, only truly visible because of the tail continuously slapping the surface. At about the 30 foot mark I could see the rounded head, gills, and the occasional white mouth as the carp munched something dug loose from the cobble. I made my cast, landing the two fly rig about 5 feet past the fish, right on line. I quickly lifted my rod tip and dragged the flies into position, just inches from the still feeding fish, and I let them drop to the bottom. As they sank, I counted to five in my head to gauge depth, and at five I saw the white flash of a mouth, right about where my San Juan worm should have been...I set the hook.</p><p>I nearly lost the fish right then. Most 20 plus lb fish are dogs, but this guy blasted out into the river in an instant and I almost got in my own way. Fly line peeled off the reel, backing next and I looked out to see a barge way out in the river. I laughed at the idea of this fish catching the barge, then reconsidered the laughter as backing continued to disappear. Eventually, the fish slowed, and I towed her back in to my waiting net. 36 inches, 26 lbs...a real, serious athlete.</p><p>It was late in the day, and the Death March had once again done its job. I was busted...beat up, aching and tired, but this last fish had been worth the work. I sat on the bank for a few minutes and watched the barge, listened to the river and replayed the take in my head. The stalk, the cast, the distinctive white mouth flashing as a well fooled carp eats...all good things, made better because they didn't come free. </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20892133.post-91733839967141689772015-03-15T10:31:00.001-07:002015-03-15T10:31:56.938-07:00One Shot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g-P5PPQwa0E/VQW--L6sv0I/AAAAAAAADvQ/_ueJhH15i5U/s1539/Photo%25252020150315101825178.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g-P5PPQwa0E/VQW--L6sv0I/AAAAAAAADvQ/_ueJhH15i5U/s500/Photo%25252020150315101825178.jpg" id="blogsy-1426439935791.9365" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="414"></a></div><p> The fish was coming right at me, about 30 feet up the bank...a head on shot. She was slow cruising, but unlike most slow cruisers there was no side to side searching, no sudden stops or tip ups...just a steady, slow, dead forward movement. Still, her body posture just screamed feeder. Her head was lower than her tail, and her movement, while straight lined, had a clear purpose. This fish was looking to eat. With a head on view of both length and girth, I knew I was looking at a 20 lber. I figured I had one shot.</p><p>My only cast was a good one. I laid the two fly rig just past and to the left (the deep side) of the fish. When the flies hit the water I immediatly lifted the rod tip and slide the flies just under the surface and into position. The angle of the cast and subsequent drag put my worm pattern directly in front of the slowly moving carp...maybe10 inches away. The hybrid, unseen due to distance and color would finish about 6 inches out and somewhat in line with the carps right eyeball. As the flies settled, I shifted focus and watched the fish. I knew the worm was heavier and could see it falling through the column in my mind as I watched for a reaction from the carp. I counted silently, aware that the lighter hybrid would be a beat or two behind the worm on its descent. As I hit a three count in my head the carp turned slowly, ponderously to her right and eased forward at the same glacial pace. I watched and stared...and saw it. The briefest of pauses in molasses motion...all the cue she was going to give. I set the hook, thinking about speed, not power. The big ones don't hold the fly long, and the 2 x tippet doesn't lend itself to a power hook set...fast is the name of the game. </p><p> The line came tight, and the fish was gone from view headed to the deep water. The rest was a matter of side pressure, palmed reels and good knots. Sometimes one shot is all you need. </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>John Montanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16054871605134267048noreply@blogger.com6