Close Enough

I searched all over the lake this morning for a carp, and I found many. Not all of them were willing. Some didn't notice the fly, others had it land right on top of their backs due to my drowsy condition. Eventually I found a nice fish tailing over a gravel bottom in the perfect spot for me to present the fly too. I had on a big olive bead headed pattern. I saw the fish react to it's hitting the water, then watched as it moved forward, tipped down, and picked it up. I set the hook and it dumped right into the backing. As is usual after that there was a long period of give and take, then I got it to shore, it saw me, and it did another long run. That tired it out and I got it to hand again. Then I did a stupid. Carp often react badly to being touched for the first time, and this one did just that. Usually I let go of the leader early enough and get the rod back into position but this time I was to slow. The tippet broke and the carp returned to the lake. But I'm OK with that. I got the take, the fight, and a good look and brief opportunity to handle the fish. It wasn't an extraordinary fish in any way other than it's strength. That and it was a carp. Any carp caught on artificial fly is a minor miracle. To be perfectly honest, I was somewhat upset. But there's always tomorrow, and Kirk and I have plans to fish a pond where locals feed the carp bread. That makes for a good opportunity to get my first ever carp on a dry fly and Kirks second carp on any fly.

I did get a few cool shots on the first run, so thanks for that, fish!