Carp on the Fly

Carp Rodeo - August 14th 2010! Carp have a bad reputation for being a trashy fish and undesired. The great thing about Carp is that they can live anywhere, they are big, they fight harder than any other species you can throw a fly at in Montana, and they are tricky to fool with a fly. Ironically fly fishing for Carp is not all that different from fishing for many saltwater flats species. They are in shallow a lot of the time feeding, they feed off the bottom, and their mouths go down like a bonefish so it requires a similar hook set.

This year's Carp Rodeo will be August 14th on the Missouri River from Pelican Point to Ulm Bridge.  Rules and regulations can be found on the link below as well as the sign up sheets to sign up your team.  Sign up sheets can be dropped off at any area fly shop.  Buckles for the Champions are produced by Montana Silversmith...this is the real deal.

Carp Rodeo Sign-up Form




 

The Flies
Carp feed on a lot of stuff. However, we often find them eating the same insects as trout. The patterns we use most often imitate small crayfish that Carp often come across on the bottom. It is also popular to use small bead headed nymphs, and we have even seen them eating hoppers and terrestrials off the top.

The Gear
Carp are in shallow and they are large. So two things to keep in mind when gearing up. First of all, they are not small so 0-3X tippet is required as well as a 7-9 weight rod. We recommend a 7-8 but it is possible to get away with a 6-9 weight rod. Secondly, the fish are usually sight fished and in shallow and therefore a floating line is normally all that is requires. Sink tips can be popular for deeper water but Rio makes a great and stealthy Carp line that we have in the shop.

How to Fish for Them
When you spot Carp there should be a few things that go through your head. First of all, if you see them "rising" alot they are probably not feeding. Carp are like Tarpon in that they roll to fill an air chamber and from we understand this activity is most common during their spawn. Second thing is that Carp most often feed off the bottom so cast as near to the Carp as possible, in shallow water it will not be right on their head as they are easily spooked. However, once you have landed a fly near them without spooking them slowly move the fly along the bottom...really slowly, and this should create the mud to make a trail along the bottom which you will often see the Carp follow. Once you see the follow, wait for the Carp to suck in the fly and then DO NOT "TROUT SET" THE HOOK! It is important to just make one long strip of the line and when the line feels tight then lift the rod slightly. The Carp has a tough mouth and once hooked chances of landing it are good.
 

The Mo River Carp Rodeo

The prizes are not huge…

The fish is not desired by everyone…

the fishing is deep and muddy…

but the bragging rights you can win are fly fishing’s highest honor… Master Carp Dudes

The tournament is held on the Missouri in August from Mt. Palace (Hardy Creek) to Ulm Bridge.  This is strickly a fly fishing tournament, and artifical flies is the only means of catching fish.  Fish must be hooked in the mouth.  You can use whatever type of boat you have or walk and wade.  There are lots of Carp on this stretch but the fishing is deeper and the Carp are more difficult to locate than in other Carpy waters.

Teams are a maximum of 3 people so start getting a few guys together for August!

Tickets will be available at any local fly shops including Big R Fly Shop in Great Falls, Montana.