A 30lb Estuary Carp and My First Sea Run Brown

Today was one hell of an adventure. I made my way out of my home region around 1:30. My destination: a top secret stream in the East of the state I call home. My goal was to fish for sea run brown trout and shad with flies. I reached my destination, the mouth of a small stream. The tide was receding. I took a few casts before noticing a very big carp. I put down the 3 weight and picked up the eight. This was my first ever experience with an estuary carp. I had heard of them, but never seen one. I tied on an Ausable Ugly and proceeded to miss five takes from this same fish. It was on the sixth that I hooked her. This fish was obese. I have never seen such a fat carp. It tops my biggest fish list by about 10 lbs! Since the fish's mobility was extremely hampered by it's massive size, The fight was not one to write home about. But that doesn't matter. Look at this beast!!!!

Sexy! ... what I'll do for a giant carp on the fly!

Eventually I found some really good wild trout water. One cast with a beadhead nymph and wham! Fish on. It was a nice 16 inch wild salty brown trout. After an aggressive fight I brought the fish to hand. It had some of the best colors I had ever seen on a fish. Then the fly popped out and back he went. My first sea run brown and no photo. Damn! A few bluegills and missed trout later I had to leave. I really hope I get a chance to do this again soon.