To Last Year's Levels

In 2014 I caught a not so grand total of three carp on the fly. Now, to be fair those were all quite big. But three is a very weak quantity considering the time I spent trying to catch them. Today I reached last year's total. So far in 2015 I have caught three common carp on flies. At this point in 2014 I hadn't even targeted them yet.

So, for me that's pretty exciting. But for a while today I was getting frustrated. I was getting more shots than I usually get in a week, but just no good solid takes. I was sure  wasn't going to get skunked, as plenty of big bluegills and perch were on the flat too, but I was getting a little annoyed at my target species. When I thought I got one it turned out to be another snapping turtle (not everything that makes bubbles and mud patches is a carp).

Yes, those are carp. Right in front of me.

Big turtle- released by plucking the fly off with the rod tip. 

Then it got better. A fish slowed down and flashed open his sucker mouth where I thought my fly was. Fortunately I was right and I set into the best fight I have had with any fish. The first run was impressive. For a while I just had the fish going back and forth in front of me. Then he noticed me and went off again. It was a while before I got him back to me, but at that point I was sure I had the battle won. I was wrong. the fish tore upstream just after the second photo bellow was taken, taking me all the way passed that bend. Then, down it went, me running along side of it. Finale after more of the back and forth I was able to land the fish. Boy was it a beauty: gold and gorgeous, and probably 10-12 lbs in weight.

After releasing the fish I caught some more big bluegills, and attempted to hook another carp. Eventually I had to give up, not because the conditions decreased in quality, but because I had other things to do. But trust me, it won't belong before the 2015 carp tally is 4. I'm hoping to get that tally into the mid 40's by the end of the year.