A chilly start to an uneventful morning.

I have never really had much luck early morning fishing for carp. I assume that they are probably just as tired as I am (at least thats what I tell myself). I didn't have to work today because I am going to a baby shower for our expectant son (this December) and my awesome supervisor told me to just take the whole day, so what does the mouse do while the cat is away? Well go fishing of course. The thermometer read just north of 55 degrees out this morning with a high in the mid 70's, a little brisk but not bad.

The water, at 64 degrees, was colder than expected as it seems like only yesterday air temps were in the mid nineties. But I figured the sun would be up soon anyway and I headed off. As I paddled slowly towards "Carp Cove" I was bummed when a slight breeze brought a heavy fog in around me. So much for seeing the carp. After about an hour of only seeing one cruising grass carp, the sun finally came out which, on this lake, typically brings wind too. Before the wind really picked up, I was able to get a couple casts to some carp but none were interested.

I see you hiding back there sun...

The dreaded mud plume of a spooked carp. A scene I encounter way too much.

I had high hopes for this fly but she let me down today.

"Carp Cove" before the sun hit the water.

Foggy morning turned bluebird day!

After a couple of hours without any luck I decided to head back to the launch. On my way I saw a beautiful carp feeding right under an oak tree and when I attempted to make a cast my fly got stuck on the kayak... then in the oak tree. Needless to say the fish didn't stick around, or maybe it did to laugh at me, in any case it wasn't about to eat my now broken off fly. At this point I was getting a little frustrated and decided to just reel in and paddle back and on my way, I came across three good sized carp feeding right off the shore. Out of habit I grabbed my rod out of the holder and went to grab my fly line only then realizing that I had just unstrung my rod. Moral of the story, never pack up until you are putting the rod in your car.

Until next time

In my pursuit of carp, I have kind of forgotten about bass and bluegill which is ok, I bet they don't mind me not irritating them. However they can often brighten the spirit of a skunked fisherman but today I was shunned by all. But even then, I like to think back to the first carp I caught on a fly rod, knowing that a single fish is the reason for this obsession. I may not always catch carp when I go out but I can at least look back on that one and smile.

"No hablo ingles"