Pimpin' Ain't Easy

I got back from Missoula with a short window of fishing opportunity today.  By the looks of the incoming clouds before I left my house, I figured I'd have my work cut out for me with the carp.  Once I got to the reservoir and the thermometer on my truck read 39 degrees, I knew I was in purgatory.

Sure, they were on the flats...but this cold front totally shut them down.  Like a bunch of melted orange creamsicles stuck on the bottom of a freezer.  After about an hour of casting practice to carp that couldn't give half a crap about my delightful presentation, I decided it was time to come up with a "Plan B."

This was "trout weather" for sure, but the South Fork and the Henry's Fork were each over an hour away and I only had about 90 minutes of free time left.  Hmmm, what to do?

I decided to fish the tailwater below the reservoir.  This particular river holds a bunch of sterile (i.e. non-spawning) Kamloops rainbows that escape the reservoir each year.  When I got down there, I noticed a pretty prolific baetis hatch.  "Great," I thought, "except I brought a 7-weight and a box full of carp flies."

Carp on the lower Snake River like humongous black leeches, so I still had a bunch of those in the fly box from my trip down there a couple of weeks ago.  Thus, it was time to swing some leechzillas.

Once again, trout saved the day...

2012: A Carp Odyssey

Hello friend.  It's good to be back.

BOOYAH!  ICE OUT IS HERE - thanks to a recent period of high pressure and warm weather - and today marks the first day of my 2012 carp odyssey at Blackfoot Reservoir.  Soon I will be heading down there with the camp trailer to set up a mobile Uprising base camp. 

The water temperature is still pretty frigid and the few carp that have made it out of their winter holding water onto the flats (only pre-spawn males) are still a bit sluggish.

Fortunately, a few willing players were holding right up against the shoreline in about a foot of water, which made for great sight casting.


At one point, I noticed a sizeable v-wake heading towards a creek outlet.  I cast my fly ahead and to the left of the wake and the wake shifted course directly towards my fly and "BAM!"  Damn, that was fun.

I reckon we still need a week to ten days of warm weather before the carp arrive en masse and the action gets red hot.  The Carp Classic fly fishing tournament is scheduled for May 18th & 19th and I plan on bringing the "A" game.

One thing that always amazes me about Blackfoot Reservoir is the number of living organisms the impoundment supports.  Wildlife sightings today included sandhill cranes, pelicans, a beaver and a golden eagle. 

There were midges, mayflies and mosquitos hatching throughout the day.  As usual, the wind was pretty intense, which required some strategic positioning prior to casting. The fishing was good, but still a little slow compared to what this fishery produces in May, June and July.  It was a great teaser for what to expect in the coming weeks.  Definitely worth the drive and the amount of catching up I have to do now at work.


More to follow...

Good for Carp Karma

A Souvenir

Troutlands

Still too cold around here for carpin', so I snuck away for some trout today.

It was a nice reminder that trout can be a whole lot of fun, too.

Interstate Carpin'

"What's Up, Ugg Mugg?"

The work schedule this week entails travel to Salt Lake City, then a day in Seattle.  It's just as well, considering my favorite carp impoundment in southeast Idaho is still iced over (much to my chagrin).

Given the need to head south to warmer temps, I seized an opportunity to fish the lower Snake River for carp along the way.



I got to the river in the mid-afternoon and it was obvious a major cold front was on the way.  My window of opportunity was going to be short and sweet.

"I HAZ A KARP!"

Winds were gusting over 20 mph and the water was getting pretty murky, making it challenging to spot fish.  Nonetheless, some males showed themselves - as they do pretty frequently this time of year - and it was "go time."  It was good to see some backing on the reel again.  These guys are not as large - and certainly not as pretty - as the mirror carp at my "go to" reservoir, but it was great fun nonetheless - a pleasant diversion en route to the big city and airport.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of fishing, hellfire rained from the sky and the winds increased to over 35 mph.  My fun quota for the day was met.

Next on the agenda...some good "big city" food...


Wu-Tang Flan aint nuthin' ta fuck wit.

Torche Will Destroy You

I heart Torche...

Flats of theThird Coast

A five minute and sixteen second dose of Beaver Island radness from FP Media and Indigo Guide Service. 

Right on, gents...

Rites of Spring - More Snow & Biking in the Park

Well, my plans to play hookie from work today and ride the cyclocross bike to an amazing spring creek got stymied by Mother Nature - lots of new snow and 20 mph winds.  The spring creek will still be there on Monday.

Spending the weekend in Jackson for the annual kids Easter egg hunt and a bike tour through Grand Teton National Park before the crowds arrive.

Today's song of the day is "For Want Of" by one of Dischord's best bands - Rites of Spring:

Out Like a Lion

More nasty weather.

More troots.

I am going to head south this week to find some carp.