Happyshort

With gas nearing $4.50 these days, its time to look at your fishing options. Lets see, your first option is to drive 2 1/2 hours to the nearest trout river and spend $70 on gas. What you’ll get is a great day pursing the fish we all love. Trout are great, I would be crazy to argue that. The problem here is affordability. You might be able to afford one, maybe two trips a month at these gas prices. Okay but lets be serious here. Is fly fishing once a month really going to cut it? For me the answer is a resounding “No Way!” I’m completely addicted to this sport, and because of this, I need to get as much time on the water as possible! So, unless you are independently wealthy or live on the river you’re feeling the pinch, I know I am.

Your second option is one I’m really excited about. You see, I pass this pond on the way home everyday. It just so happens this pond is full of fish. By fish I mean carp, yes, I said, “carp.” So for last couple weeks I have been stopping by the pond with my 6 weight rod and testing the water. What I found was a real eye opener! Now I have been hearing the carp buzz for the last couple years. Numerous articles have recently defended, and even elevated its reputation as a sport fish. I had become more and more intrigued by the stories I was hearing. I’m here to tell you all this hype is justified! In the last couple weeks I have been challenged like no trout I’ve known. I have been rejected so many times this week I don’t even want to admit it. It’s been awesome! I love the challenge; it makes it so much sweeter when you actually hook one. A carp will challenge you like no other fish I know in freshwater. Carp have even been dubbed “Rocky Mountain Bonefish,” and “Golden Bonefish,” because of the way they tail the flats, just like their saltwater comparison. They have incredible strength and stamina as well. All you need is some medium to larger size trout nymphs, a floating line, and a strike indicator. You can go without the indicator but I’ve found carp take the fly subtly when tailing and rooting around. Once I added an indicator my hook ups improved noticeably.

So, if you’re sick and tired of not fishing, or fishing but going broke with gas prices, poke around your local ponds. You owe it to yourself. Get out and discover a new fishery, one closer to home. You might be surprised at what you find, I know I was!

http://www.howtoflyfish.org

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