Had a great time carp hunting with some seriously fishy young guys. They both happen to be guides, but got the weekend off to actually just have fun fishing. Those that have guided understand that is a luxury, especially during the summer. They both can fish as hard or harder than me so we had a great time even during the slow times. One of them (Mitch) is my buddy's son so we I've taken him out a few times and it's always a good time. And his buddy/co-worker Will is a great dude. And FISHY!
We hit Banks Lake, using my boat to get to the flats we wanted to wade. We also fished out of the boat a few times. We missed some eats from the boat, but nothing landed. All the fish we landed were from shore or while wading. Of course, we missed eats doing that too. It is carp fishing after all.
Will got on the board literally with his first real cast. I was worried the 1st cast curse might plague us, but I think we avoided it...mostly. Haha!
They might need a bigger net.
Will ended up going 3 for 4 on Saturday. I went 2 for 3. My 1st fish was the most deliberate eat possible. It was like he held up a sign that said "I'm gonna go eat that" and then another one that said "Strike now!" Wish they were all that easy. The 2nd was more of the usual zen "I think he ate" type of eat & hookup. Those feel great, but I also missed 3 or 4 eats.
Sunday brought some really tough conditions with multiple missed eats, but all 3 of us hooked up on 1 fish each. Will and I were lucky to land ours, but Mitch lost his hog in the reeds.
My fish was in a rocky area where they were definitely cycling through and eating damsel nymphs. So I put on a standard #10 damsel nymph and gave it a shot. Sure enough, the 2nd good chance I got, the biggest of 3 hunting fish followed my stripped damsel and ate it. And then got pissed! Haha! He took me about 20 feet into my backing and somehow didn't break me off on the multiple rocks.
Net man Mitch getting ready-
He had some shoulders!
Definitely one of the prettiest and fastest carp I've ever caught. It was nice to get a decent zinger after my 2 smaller and tamer ones on Saturday. Made all the hard work, in the heat, worth it. Shout out to Will for a great pic.
Will caught his last fish on Sunday literally on his last cast. He was walking for the boat when a fish came into view. It went for the reeds, but the fly held and he scooped it out of the reeds. He was stoked! His Orvis Helios 8wt tip broke on Saturday so he caught a couple on my 7wt Redington Pursuit, but Sunday he was using an 8wt Butterstick. He literally "gave em the butt" on that last fish. I'll have that bent rod burned into my memory. So Will caught fish on his 1st cast and his last cast. Not sure I've ever done that. Like I said, he's fishy.
Banks is a beautiful place and we had a great time. Always fun to hang with the young ones. I taught them a few things, but they taught me just as much. And we all learned a little more about chasing these crazy fish.
Cheers,
Stacy
We hit Banks Lake, using my boat to get to the flats we wanted to wade. We also fished out of the boat a few times. We missed some eats from the boat, but nothing landed. All the fish we landed were from shore or while wading. Of course, we missed eats doing that too. It is carp fishing after all.
Will got on the board literally with his first real cast. I was worried the 1st cast curse might plague us, but I think we avoided it...mostly. Haha!
They might need a bigger net.
Will ended up going 3 for 4 on Saturday. I went 2 for 3. My 1st fish was the most deliberate eat possible. It was like he held up a sign that said "I'm gonna go eat that" and then another one that said "Strike now!" Wish they were all that easy. The 2nd was more of the usual zen "I think he ate" type of eat & hookup. Those feel great, but I also missed 3 or 4 eats.
Sunday brought some really tough conditions with multiple missed eats, but all 3 of us hooked up on 1 fish each. Will and I were lucky to land ours, but Mitch lost his hog in the reeds.
My fish was in a rocky area where they were definitely cycling through and eating damsel nymphs. So I put on a standard #10 damsel nymph and gave it a shot. Sure enough, the 2nd good chance I got, the biggest of 3 hunting fish followed my stripped damsel and ate it. And then got pissed! Haha! He took me about 20 feet into my backing and somehow didn't break me off on the multiple rocks.
Net man Mitch getting ready-
He had some shoulders!
Definitely one of the prettiest and fastest carp I've ever caught. It was nice to get a decent zinger after my 2 smaller and tamer ones on Saturday. Made all the hard work, in the heat, worth it. Shout out to Will for a great pic.
Will caught his last fish on Sunday literally on his last cast. He was walking for the boat when a fish came into view. It went for the reeds, but the fly held and he scooped it out of the reeds. He was stoked! His Orvis Helios 8wt tip broke on Saturday so he caught a couple on my 7wt Redington Pursuit, but Sunday he was using an 8wt Butterstick. He literally "gave em the butt" on that last fish. I'll have that bent rod burned into my memory. So Will caught fish on his 1st cast and his last cast. Not sure I've ever done that. Like I said, he's fishy.
Banks is a beautiful place and we had a great time. Always fun to hang with the young ones. I taught them a few things, but they taught me just as much. And we all learned a little more about chasing these crazy fish.
Cheers,
Stacy
