Okay. I know. You are sitting at home all like “Hey, Alex, I know you have a man-crush on these dudes, and are all in love with Beaver island, and you take purdy photos and whatever but seriously if I don’t see some fishing here soon I am going to have an aneurysm.”
Well, drink it in, folks.
Dan Frasier Photo
a still from John Anrold’s video, Great Big Minnows. (check it out on Vimeo)
Now, I am not going to tell you how to catch carp. You can find that, and most likely better information from other places more suited to give that type of advise. (Like CarpPro)
But, I don’t want those hungry for knowledge to starve, so here are two things for those thinking about carp fishing BI:
1) Your cast. (If you often fish salt and don’t aggravate your guides regularly you can probably ignore this part)
I know. It’s rude to bring up, but don’t feel like I am just trying to make waves. Take an 8wt rod, put a 10wt line on it, stand on a cooler in your front yard on a windy day and try to throw far. Really far. (But not sloppy) Wind in your face, rod side, off side, everything. Work on it.
Clear water, bright sun, and spooky fish generally need long shots, and being short never works. Being right on the fish is worse, as you will blast them with your heavy fly hitting the water. Casting past the fish and bringing the fly back to them is ideal, and when that eating pig is 12o’clock at 60 feet and you want a chance, you will be glad you practiced. Your guide will, too.
“I could have caught lots of carp on Beaver Island, but I just couldn’t stop casting too far,” – said nobody, ever.
[Disclaimer – I am not to be held responsible for people falling off coolers and looking stupid in front of their neighbors]
2) Let them have it.
“These fish hold the fly a long time.” – BI guide.
I wish I would have been told this during breakfast on the first day. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.
I am more accustomed to carp that usually eat and spit a fly very quickly, and this type of behavior leads to real twitchy anglers. So my advise here is to give them time. See an eat, feel pressure, whatever, just let them have it.
And note, if the guide on your boat starts yelling “let ’em have it!”, this is what he means, and not to set the hook like the fish owes you money.
-Alex who hopes he has quenched your thirst for fish photos, at least for a minute or two.
On this day we thank:
12wt (your masks are very comfy)
&
Fishpond
That orange eye on the gill flaring bass is amazeballs. Good stuff as always.
Little shits… always snaking carp eats.
I tell you what, when you are upset that a 5lb smallie are your fly, you know things are wack.
Man, I wish I had been there! Looks like an awesome trip. Fantastic photos Alex.
Thanks John. It was and I would have liked to see a master carper work.
Just one question, though… why is your gravatar image a woman named Kelly?
Awesome images, as always, Alex. Glad you guys had a killer trip, though it sounds like the weather was a wee bit uncooperative.
And pretty damn tight writing, too. Good read!
Aw, now you’re making me miss carp fishing.
I am sure you would have had a great time, weather be damned.
You should go next year.
Sweet pics….love the boat setups. Very practical for the midwest…
Thanks, Matt. Definitely a good combo on the boats. Any one that floats and gets near fish is a good one in my book.