Huge Carp Snaps Helios Like A Twig...

So for the past 3 weeks I’ve been fishing for carp every chance I get, probably landing close to if not more than 50 fish, including the 3 largest fish of my life. I hate to say it but I’m getting pretty damn good at the carpin’ game…This morning I went to Carp Lake X as we so call it and the fish were spooky, a lot more than usual, so I had to work for them. After fishing for 2hrs I finally landed my first of 4 carp. The last fish however ended my day of fishing.

I saw a carp out towards the middle of the lake that looked huge, so at that distance it had to be big. I laid out my damsel about 6 feet in front of him and swam it into his field of view and paused it, I read his body language and set the hook. He went ballistic, he put me in my backing real quick. Then ran right towards me, I reeled as fast as I could and kept up with him and finally gained my fly line back, then…Crack! He made an about-face maneuver and snapped my rod instantly…and took me into my backing again. Since nothing seems to ever phase me anymore, I looked at my rod and there was just enough rod left together that had sufficient backbone to play out the fish…so yeah, I landed the bastard…I really think it was one of the largest fish in the lake, it probably went close to 15lbs. All in all it was a pretty epic cast and hook up…the fight didn’t go so well…I probably couldn’t have even casted as far as a did with out the helios, the rod is amazing or was…sigh…

Yeah...

Time to call it a day

Huge Carp Snaps Helios Like A Twig...

So for the past 3 weeks I’ve been fishing for carp every chance I get, probably landing close to if not more than 50 fish, including the 3 largest fish of my life. I hate to say it but I’m getting pretty damn good at the carpin’ game…This morning I went to Carp Lake X as we so call it and the fish were spooky, a lot more than usual, so I had to work for them. After fishing for 2hrs I finally landed my first of 4 carp. The last fish however ended my day of fishing.

I saw a carp out towards the middle of the lake that looked huge, so at that distance it had to be big. I laid out my damsel about 6 feet in front of him and swam it into his field of view and paused it, I read his body language and set the hook. He went ballistic, he put me in my backing real quick. Then ran right towards me, I reeled as fast as I could and kept up with him and finally gained my fly line back, then…Crack! He made an about-face maneuver and snapped my rod instantly…and took me into my backing again. Since nothing seems to ever phase me anymore, I looked at my rod and there was just enough rod left together that had sufficient backbone to play out the fish…so yeah, I landed the bastard…I really think it was one of the largest fish in the lake, it probably went close to 15lbs. All in all it was a pretty epic cast and hook up…the fight didn’t go so well…I probably couldn’t have even casted as far as a did with out the helios, the rod is amazing or was…sigh…

Yeah...

Time to call it a day

Easier Said, Than Done.

My brother just moved to Tortola, an island part of the British Virgin Islands to teach at Cedar International School. He has been on the island for eight days, and has yet to report any fly fishing action. I woke up this morning to a fresh report of his trials and tribulations the night before. 

"if you think your pulse pounds when a slammer carp takes a look at your fly, imagine casting into a school of huge tarpon under the bridge at night, where the lights bring them in, and they are rolling and exploding the water all around. imagine one of them turning, and following your fly, stalking it, within feet of the bank, then turning away.
this happened to me 4 times tonight."

After exchanging the usual pleasantries during our nightly video conference over Skype, I asked him what he was doing, and it didn't sound like much. This is what followed...

Mark- "WTF are you waiting for? Go catch a tarpon..." 

Matt- "I have to get my outfit ready for the first day of school"

Mark- "Thats the worst excuse I have ever heard..."

Minutes of laughter followed as my brother realized his words. He took a sip of wine, and started to gear up. We discussed tactics and that was that. Off into the night, Matt & Stacy head to do battle with what many consider the greatest saltwater gamefish and one of the most difficult to land (the big guns). I wish them the best. 

I think the task is easier said, than done.

Easier Said, Than Done.

My brother just moved to Tortola, an island part of the British Virgin Islands to teach at Cedar International School. He has been on the island for eight days, and has yet to report any fly fishing action. I woke up this morning to a fresh report of his trials and tribulations the night before. 

"if you think your pulse pounds when a slammer carp takes a look at your fly, imagine casting into a school of huge tarpon under the bridge at night, where the lights bring them in, and they are rolling and exploding the water all around. imagine one of them turning, and following your fly, stalking it, within feet of the bank, then turning away.
this happened to me 4 times tonight."

After exchanging the usual pleasantries during our nightly video conference over Skype, I asked him what he was doing, and it didn't sound like much. This is what followed...

Mark- "WTF are you waiting for? Go catch a tarpon..." 

Matt- "I have to get my outfit ready for the first day of school"

Mark- "Thats the worst excuse I have ever heard..."

Minutes of laughter followed as my brother realized his words. He took a sip of wine, and started to gear up. We discussed tactics and that was that. Off into the night, Matt & Stacy head to do battle with what many consider the greatest saltwater gamefish and one of the most difficult to land (the big guns). I wish them the best. 

I think the task is easier said, than done.

Rodent Hatch.

This came out awhile ago but is still sweet for those lazy summer Sundays...

What happens once in a blue moon? A massive migration of mice that drive monster New Zealand browns nuts. Check it.

Fly Fishing - Once in a Blue Moon 60sec promo from On the Fly on Vimeo.

Rodent Hatch.

This came out awhile ago but is still sweet for those lazy summer Sundays...

What happens once in a blue moon? A massive migration of mice that drive monster New Zealand browns nuts. Check it.

Fly Fishing - Once in a Blue Moon 60sec promo from On the Fly on Vimeo.

Delaware Bones.

Two weeks of searching and I finally found some golden bones in the state of Delaware. The water is situated right off the Delaware Chesapeake Canal and less than a mile from the saltwater of Delaware Bay. Google Maps and a little direction from Doug at White Clay Outfitters led me there. The lake is quite large and is off the beaten path. A rugged 4-wheel drive high clearance road leads to the water and encircles much of it, but thats all the access it really gives. There are no paths or trails that lead into the water. So once you get in, you are stuck literally in the water and must stalk your quarry carefully. Visibility is low, so you are sight casting to carp that are extremely close to you and the lack of a higher vantage point really throws a spin on things. It was a fun game to play. There aren't any monsters but bones are bones.

Good Place To Park, The Hole In Front Is 1.5 ft. Deep.

First Carp I Saw In Two Weeks Took The Damsel On The First Cast.

No Bank + No Net = No Landing Area

A Splash In The Face and Carp Numero Uno Said, Hasta La Vista.

I Was Pumped, Despite Defeat, & The Multi Took Some Weeds.

Popper Dropper With A Sucker Spawn Does The Job Too.

Skinny Bones.

I Wet Waded For 5 Hours Through This.

The Carp Liked Being In The Thick of Things, Interesting Dilemma.

See His Back?

Small Bass Kept Getting In The Way.

Damsel Doing Work.

The Carp Face.

Mudding Carp & One Muddy Truck.