Raccoon River Summer Carp on the Fly

 

When it’s ninety five degrees and it feels like one hundred and something because of the humidity, it‘s a great day to go out in search of carp on the fly.  The beautiful thing about fly fishing for carp, is you don’t really need to worry about your time of the day as much.  You don’t need to be there when the sun rises, in fact I’ve had some of my best carp fishing right in the middle of the day.  Many sight fishing anglers know that it’s easier to see the fish when the suns out, and at 1:00PM, the sun was most certainly out this day.  I like to occasionally take Friday afternoons off, and get on the water to decompress from the week.  Sight fishing for 8-10 pound fish will clear your mind.  Click on the image of the carp to view our short YouTube video of the day.  

The water on the Middle Raccoon River was SUPER low, which creates some issues for the fish.  Today, I choose to “test” our our Econ 101 7/8 weight rod and reel combo.  This is a very solid combo for carp, and the complete set up sells for $199.99.  

 

 

I only tied on one fly, the Brad Befus Carp Fly in rust color.  Photo is below.  This is my go to fly for carp in this area.  

 

 

Once you wet this fly, it will sink slowly.  The goal when river fishing for carp is to present your fly up stream from the carp, and drift the fly slowly towards it‘s nose.  A slight twitch a foot or so can get them to move in for the kill, and then you have them.  I like to approach the fish from down stream. Today, I started way down stream from where I normally fish, for two reasons.  One, the water was super low and I could wet wade a sand flat with a ton of carp on it.  Two, to approach the fish from behind.  The sand flat presented me with a ton of shots, but the fish were not eating.  I worked my way up the river.  

 

 

When I made it to my old stomping grounds, I was able to pick up a bunch of little smallmouth bass.  You‘ve got to love little smallies, they are so fun on a fly rod.  I also picked up a bonus bluegill, and a crappie.  

 

 

When I made it right up next to the dam, I found a bunch of carp just cruising in the current.  The first hook up, I was able to toss my fly and watch an aggressive carp literally expose it’s back to take the fly.  This is not a normal carp take, and I wish I got it on camera.  You can see the fight on our YouTube video. 

 

 

Another healthy fish, released to fight another day.  I was able to hook up with two additional fish, but the hook pulled on each of them.  

To me, fly fishing presents an incredible way to clear your mind and connect with nature.  There are a handful of small details one must focus on, and if you get it right, it is incredibly rewarding.  Until next time, tight lines my friends!