Last day of the season

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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Social Media

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!

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?

 

 

 

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Alaska

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.

More later, but for now it is best to let a few photos tell the tale...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos are from a variety of cameras...the good ones are likely Justin or Dan's.

 

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.

 

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Alaska

Been 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.

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.

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.

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. 
The Reel John Montana

Horse head

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.

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Haven't had time to write

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!

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. 

Get out and fish!

Lake MI

 

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.

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!

 

 

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A few pics

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.

 

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.

 

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!

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Carpocalypse 2015!!

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 HERE to register. Sign up, post photos, visit the sponsors and have a gray time chasing carp!

Huge thanks to Orvis, Costa, Carp Pro and Scientific Anglers...these guys love carp!

 

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Clouds are the devil

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!

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.

Oh...and the "guide" even got a fish or two as well.

 

 

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