Carp Fly Fishing

Carp fly fishing, during warm summer days & trout are getting more challenging, why not have a go at Carp fly fishing? These are serious fighting fish & will give you hours of fun - And it can be cheap! - A word of warning, if you have the slightest weakness in your set up, prepare to lose the battle with your Carp!

Tackle for Carp Fly Fishing with at least a 7# rod, even better if going for big 'uns 8# or 9# make it 9ft or 10ft as you'll be playing them away from underwater snags & obstacles which they'll dive for when hooked. Floating fly line to match your rod, choose a reel with a decent drag. Make sure you have good backing, you'll probably need it when Carp Fly Fishing! Leaders, single length or tapered, its highly recommended not to have any knots as this cause's weaknesses. Dependant of size of fish & snags, 6lb to 15lb - In very clear water fluorocarbon may be required. Ledasink or equivalent, to degrease your leader helps to reduce spooking the Carp. And you are there except the flies. White foam and marabou (bread) or deer hair (dog biscuit) are great. Other things to think about are a good pair of forceps for unhooking & a very large landing net - You are Good to Go!!

Carp Fly Fishing tactics…. Choose a warm summer day, get some dog biscuits, bread, scraps, chuck it in to get the carp feeding confidently before you start fishing. (I know, the traditionalist won't like it - but hey this is fun!) Don't be too generous though, get them scrapping - DO NOT Overfeed, they'll lose interest. At this point with your 'beefed up tackle' cast your fly in (try and get it to match either the bread or dog biscuits you've got them feeding on), keep it buoyant (may need some Gink/ Floatant) and also possibly an Amadou patch. When you get a take, let it take it properly, lift your rod to set the hook then hold on!! Play as required and bring to the net. Unhook quickly, take your trophy picture & place them back in the water holding them until they get their energy to swim away - Congratulations.