I don't mean to carp, but...
 

Beautiful day yesterday for pan fishing. It was a bit windy so I opted for my 5wt Winston WT rather than my usual 3 or 4wts which I like for bluegills etc. They were bitin', 8-10" range, fat and almost as tall as they were long. Caught a bunch, along with some small crappies (6-8") and a few little bitty bass. Just me and this big ol' diamondback water snake out enjoying the day.

https://i.imgur.com/cRaWEG1l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2uDW1hYl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mKsRoJHl.jpg

So anyway I headed down to what I call the cove which is the end of a channel leading to the culverted earthwork that forms the lake. It's surrounded by trees and lo and behold there were several carp sipping seeds off the top. So I tied on a cottonwood seed fly (they do exist) and laid it out softly and sure enough, SLURP, I had me a carp on the line; I figured him (her?) to be around 30+" which according to my conversion chart would be 30+ pounds. As soon as I had him I started to worry; what will this fish do to my little 5wt, how old is the leader (last year's or probably older), and how am I even gonna land it, since this water is heavily riprapped at a pretty steep angle - no good place to beach a big fish.

We tussled for over an hour, giving line and taking it back, and I was starting to show more signs of tiring out than the fish. As soon as I'd work him near the bank he'd give a big roll and off he'd go. Finally I tried to call my son-in-law who has a big net and who lives close by and works from home on Fridays - no mean feat trying to manage a fly rod with one hand and a cell phone with the other - but he wasn't at home. Tried to snap a couple pics of him in the water but by the time I snapped it all I got was the swirl. I was wishing he was on my 7 or 8wt both of which have fighting butts; my belly was getting pretty bruised up from holding the butt of the 5wt against it. Plus I really needed to pee.

I kept at it for a while longer before admitting defeat; got him close to the bank and grabbed the leader and he broke off in a nanosecond. So no fish, no fly, no pics, score: Fish - 1, Old Guy - 0.

Another great tale of an epic day, Phil. Thanks for sharing!

Dave

Time now for a grudge rematch. Get that bigger rod and have at 'em, Phil.

(So, are the bluegill gracing a hot skillet for you?)

Nah. As much fertilizer, etc. wash off as this little lake probably has it's a wonder the fish don't have three eyes, etc. :rolleyes:

That carp wore me out just reading about it. Wheewww!!!

You got the best part of that fish, you were going to release her anyway. It is the hook-up and fight that matters. Well told.

Carpe Diem-- seize the carp!

Wonderful story!! ...and photos. If it had been me I would have slipped and fallen on the riprap. I sure hope you doffed your hat to that fish as he slid away in victory!

When I was an undergraduate at VCU, I would skip class and go bow fishing there in the James River. Lots of carp and huge amour plated gar. There was a Black family that I encountered at “my spot” frequently. They offered me $.50 for each carp (most over 5lbs., and some monsters). I could not accept the money (although I could have used it for art supplies), but I’ll never forget how happy they were to get those big carp.