Carp Recon

I've been thinking about carp lately. Well mostly, I've been thinking a lot about fisheries that are close to home. Ones that I can get into before and after my kid goes to bed.

So tonight I decided to jump on my bike and head out where I know there to be carp to get my eyes on them, try and learn a thing or two and maybe make a cast. My buddy road up to my house and then we headed out after I put my kid to bed. It was about 5 miles to where we were going and even saw @mattsavage on the way (). When we got there we saw quite a few tailing carp anywhere from 10-60' out.

I rigged up and started casting but couldn't get anything to commit for a myriad of reasons

1. From the shoreline to about 50-60' there was such a thick layer of muck my fly actually couldn't break the surface. The heaviest fly I had with me only had small lead eyes so I'm going to tie some heavier flys so it's a bit easier to target the closer ones.
2. My casting was absolute garbage. I'm not the best caster to begin with, but everything went to shit once I spotted a tailing fish and I tried to focus on it and the direction it was heading in instead of my cast. For some reason, I'm a decent dry fly caster and some what decent streamer caster, but I struggle with these medium size flies (like carp flies, etc). It didn't help that I was also casting directly into the setting sun.
3. My running line is wildly twisted up. I bought it used from the forum for dirt cheap and its a good line (SA Titan Taper Long) and I assume its fine for this application, but once the head was out of the guides I quite literally couldn't shoot any line at all because it's all twisted around itself. I need to spend some time and get it straitened out tomorrow.

Once the sun started to set we decided to head out so we didn't have to ride to much in the dark. I'm excited to get into this and hopefully by the end of the summer I'll catch my first carp. One thing I'd also like to figure out is a rig for my bike where I can keep a rod rigged and just break it down to two pieces so I can cruise from spot to spot and rig up quicker.

Other than the carp we also saw: deer, skunks, rabbits, herons, nutria, otters, rabbits and a opossum eating a dead carp.

 

[Anonymous member 148]

Smith and Bybee?

 

[Buzzy]

Good for you for getting out - I had every intention of checking out my local water yesterday but Ma Nature played a game: thunderheads, wind and some rain.

 

[Anonymous member 148]

I had a house on Lombard and St. John when I worked in Portland. Smith and Bybee was a quick ride down the road, it's a huge area and we road a few of the paths. Never got to fish it, but I scouted. The mud flats then the impenetrable mat of vegetation made it look like a boat or kayak was the only option.

 

[Stonedfish]

I used to carry a rigged 9’ rods in a reel on rod case and had wide Velcro straps which held it onto the top bar of the bike frame. The reel hanging out over the back above the tire. It worked very well for my fishing. You could probably still do it even with the basket since the case is only 4.5’ long with the rod broken down. Stop, pull the rod out of the case, assemble it and start fishing.
Sorry for the terrible artwork on your bike.
SF

 

[Evan B]

We need to hit some carp together sometime! Especially once the Columbia settles in to summer mode and we can get my boat out to the flats.

 

[mcswny]

We need to hit some carp together sometime! Especially once the Columbia settles in to summer mode and we can get my boat out to the flats.

I would love to. This was quite literally my first time ever even seeing one, so it's all learning for me right now.
I imagine the Columbia is a bit cleaner that where I was last night, I looked at my line this morning and while it's a tan line, it's currently green from all the muck.

 

[Evan B]

I would love to. This was quite literally my first time ever even seeing one, so it's all learning for me right now.
I imagine the Columbia is a bit cleaner that where I was last night, I looked at my line this morning and while it's a tan line, it's currently green from all the muck.

As in... you've literally never seen a carp!? How is that possible?

 

[mcswny]

As in... you've literally never seen a carp!? How is that possible?

Well, not while fishing. And especially not with a rod in hand. Remember, I'm a sissy trout angler
I've just never targeted them before. But now I know how close they are to home

 

[Evan B]

Well, not while fishing. And especially not with a rod in hand. Remember, I'm a sissy trout angler
I've just never targeted them before. But now I know how close they are to home

Well, I can come recon with you some time and maybe give a few tips on getting them to eat. But they're going to be tough until after the spawn most likely. May is very hit or miss, mostly miss.

 

[DanielOcean]

Carp fishing? Im in.

 

[PhilR]

Well, not while fishing. And especially not with a rod in hand. Remember, I'm a sissy trout angler
I've just never targeted them before. But now I know how close they are to home

I’ve got a few spots, lmk if you want to head over once the water drops and things warm up.

And I’m game if anyone needs a boat angler.

 

[Evan B]

I’ve got a few spots, lmk if you want to head over once the water drops and things warm up.

Exactly - It's early. Carp are something I'm thinking about after mid-June or so. But with the water levels we're looking at, it may be a bit. Not that you can't find them in higher water, it's just way more conducive to finding the feeding grounds after the Columbia is in "summer mode." We're still very much in "big time runoff mode," which also greatly affects the WIllamette and its backwaters as well.

 

[mcswny]

I’ve got a few spots, lmk if you want to head over once the water drops and things warm up.

And I’m game if anyone needs a boat angler.

Heck yes.

 

[ColinShots]

Nice job getting out and scouting. I'm down to go explore as well.

 

[mcswny]

My kid went to bed early and I had nothing to do so I headed back out. Got there and immediately turned around. The water is up about 100 yards from where it was on Tuesday. That pavilion there, the waterline was 30 yards past it. It’s going to be awhile.
Funny thing is, I saw carp tailing 3 feet from the path in the flooded wood.

 

[mcswny]

I had a house on Lombard and St. John when I worked in Portland. Smith and Bybee was a quick ride down the road, it's a huge area and we road a few of the paths. Never got to fish it, but I scouted. The mud flats then the impenetrable mat of vegetation made it look like a boat or kayak was the only option.

People definitely do it. It’s to close to home to not keep at it (once the water comes down now)

 

[Squatchin]

I also would like to catch a carp. The real question is the methods with this magic?!

My kid went to bed early

 

[mcswny]

I also would like to catch a carp. The real question is the methods with this magic?!

She’s 5, and we went on a bike ride where she road herself for 3 miles then got in the trailer for another 15. Came home and continued to ride her bike in the heat (she’s only 4 weeks sans training wheels). She was zonked.

She’s a tough kid, sleeping is the only thing we having easy

 

[Evan B]

I also would like to catch a carp. The real question is the methods with this magic?!

If you gots a boat or access to one, Lake Sammamish.

Or you can come down here in July/August to jump in my pool toy.