I FOUND CARP!

[Captain Brandon]

Alright,

Most of you know due to health reasons I had to get a 'real' job.  Shaping the minds of our future generations is a scary proposition but has it's rewards.  Landlocked and 60 miles from the nearest saltwater I WAS waking up every morning depressed and ready to runaway further south and go completely feral in some Belizean, or Nicarauguan beach town.  However, on an afternoon run along one of the many orange grove irrigation ditches in Edinburg I caught a very distinctive tail waving in the air.  Closer inspection revealed half a dozen grubbing and tailing CARP. 

The run home was a little quicker.  I grabbed my ever present 5 weight and returned to the sight of the piscatorial feeding frenzy.  Using a small black 'bug' pattern I tie for super shallow black drum, I tossed to the biggest tail in the middle of the foray and lo and behold he turned and took the fly...hungerily .  A familiar run...much like a red...a few head tugs....and well...I think I understand the carp geeks now.

Anyone have more fly selections they have found successful on Carp?

[josh]

Capt.  Brandon

I happen to be the super carp geek.  As I live in the middle of far west Texas and my fishing spots are limited. I have had great success with crawfish patterns and a custom pheasant tail pattern I have developed.  When fishing in super calm conditions I use the pheasant tail.  If you have got 5-10 mph wind or stained/murky water I use black patterns such as stonefly nymphs or when they are really feeding 2-3 inch steelhead leeches.  The old faithful wooly bugger in olive or black also produce.  I love carp fishing.  I use a 3wt and am consistantly catching 8-10 pounders.  My largest to date carp has been measured at 38.5 inches I was not able to weigh the fish.  If you tie your own flies use natural materials and before presenting the fly to a carp rub it in the mud.  I have yet to catch a redfish but this is the best practice I think I could do.  I will be in PM and try to catch my first red on the fly.

josh