Billy Harris
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Peter – those carp are probably eating everything the other fish in your river are eating, and more, since they eat algae and other vegetation in addition to insects. So, throw what you throw at other fish, focusing on nymph and other subsurface flies.
Over here, crayfish (little ones, not lobsters) are a favorite food of carp and other fish and I throw a lot of those at carp. I use circle hooks to try to cut down on them spitting it out. Very few anglers I know use strike indicators or a dropper for carp. Maintain good contact with your fly by keeping the slack out of your line, and try to keep a good idea of where your fly is, so you can react when you see them tail on your fly or suck it in. Another good reason for circle hooks, you can gently pull the fly and try to get it to roll into the corner of their mouth.
I’m firmly in the camp of presentation over pattern. A decent looking fly, presented well to a hungry fish, will be eaten more times than not. There are days when the best fly won’t work, and days when a poor presentation will result in a 10 foot run to a poorly placed fly.
Don’t be discouraged if you go after carp. Many good fly anglers have been frustrated by them. Keep after them, change flies often, and make a good cast with a soft landing.
Depending on the visbility of the water, your first cast should be 3 feet away, then try two feet, then one, then hit him on the head. ONce you figure out their comfort zone, make all your casts as close as possible without spooking them.
As was stated, they can sense footfalls and shifting rocks, so walk or wade quietly.
And check out the fly fishing board at http://www.carpanglersgroup.com to listen in on some good electronic discussions by some fine carp fly anglers.
Good luck.
Craig
What are circle hooks?
First, does your wife have a sister? 🙂
While in Cody, take in the Buffalo Bill Museum. It’s one of the best museums I’ve ever been in. Give it three or so hours it’ll take every minute of it.
In Cody, there’s a little hole in the wall bar/resturant called The Proud Cut. Great place for a good steak.
In Gardiner Mt. go to Helen’s Hamburgers for a burger that will fill you up for the rest of the day.
Yellowstone is a special place.
If you like small creeks with eager and willing brook trout, give Blacktail Deer Creek a try. It’s on the way from Gardiner to Slough and the Lamar Valley. In most places, the creek is less than ten feet wide. Head up stream from the road for the best fishing. My son and I caught a bunch of brookies there last month.
Nez Perce creek is like a mini-firehole and is a trib to that river. Hike up a mile or so from the road and it’s just a beautiful little stream.
I think you guys will have a wonderful time.
Jeff
No Sister sorry!
Maybe in a few weeks. Now, I just need to heal so I can go find this one’s gran’ pappy!
What Fly is that you used?