Each spring throughout the United States, carp--some of them very large--push into the shallow bays of lakes and reservoirs and into the shallow seams of some of the country's most revered rivers, where they gather en masse and start their spawning process.
Carp are native to Asia, and were first introduced in the U.S. as a food source for a rapidly industrializing nation during the Grant administration, just after the Civil War. They've proven to be extremely hardy and quite prolific--they now occupy waters in every state in the Lower 48 and most Canadian provinces and territories.
For North American anglers, the carp was long perceived to be a trash fish--one look at the water it often thrives in, and that makes perfect sense. These fish can tolerate wide variances in water quality and water temperature, meaning they can live alongside trout in pristine high-country rivers or happily thrive alongside largemouth bass and catfish in soupy southern impoundments.
Given the wide range of habitat these fish can tolerate, it was only a matter of time for North American fly fishers to come to the conclusion that carp, although mighty ugly, can provide great sport on the long rod. And, contrary to what, up until recently, has been the common perception, carp aren't always the easiest fish to fool with a fly. In fact, they might be among the toughest to catch.
In the West, where carp begin their spring spawning ritual as early as March in lower elevations and as late as June in some more austere waters, they've accumulated a cult following of fly anglers who've discovered the sport these fish offer. They often require traditional saltwater flats-fishing tactics--slow, methodical stalking, sightfishing and long, on-target casts with heavy gear. A 7-weight should be considered minimum tackle for the average carp.
Finding carp generally isn't a problem. Most anglers grew up within walking distance of a carp pond, but never really considered the bony bottomfeeders as potential quarry. Now, as fishing for these deniens of the urban canal has grown in popularity, some guides and outfitters are even taking clients to secret carp haunts on rivers and lakes more renowned for trout and bass.
Some good Western carp waters include:
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah and Wyoming.
- American Falls Reservoir in Idaho.
- Big Horn Reservoir in Montana.
Along with the 7-weight rod, fly fishers will need an assortment of flies, including crawfish patterns, Wooly Buggers, damselfly nymphs and other patterns that can be stripped slowly in often murky water. Watch for tails, and don't be surprised if you struggle the first time you target the "golden bonefish" of the West. But here's wagering that, once that first big carp hits a fly and peels line off the reel, you'll be just as the fish.
 |
 |
