Carp fishing lake michigan, great lakes fly fishing for carp. Small freshwater clams and different species of aquatic worms are very prevalent in the river carpers tying arsenal. To get more information click on the title to go to a blog post where applicable or click the showhide more button for additional pictures, recipes, links and videos. Fly fishing for carp golden bones on grand traverse bay. How you fish any fly to any carp is going to be dictated by their mood. Crawfish orange rabbit fur cut from a zonker strip flash. In and around the great lakes, for example, carp aggressively hunt the.
Still the official flies of the biggest carp tournament in the world, carpslam, and just like the carp itself catch carp flies are the subject of books and the subject of legends. Be sure to stop in at the northern angler fly shop for flies and the latest information and directions to access, or you can book a guided outing with them. Fly fishing for carp on the great lakes, particularly lake michigan, is one of the most enjoyable experiences a freshwater fly angler can have. River carp flies tend to be much smaller than the great lakes patterns, but do not scrimp on weight they need to be able to fight currents and get down to where the fish are feeding. Weather and hence water temperature are a big factors determining success in finding fish. In the great lakes, deepwater sculpins and gobies now make up a larger part of the prey profiles since alewife baitfish numbers have decreased as much as 90 percent. The primary threat from asian carps is competition with other fish for food resources. Traverse city carp fishing fly fishing for carp hawkins outfitters. Four species of asian carps, bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, and grass carp, are threats to great lakes fisheries.
Originally tied for the great lakes region specifically the tributaries of lake erie and the steelhead within, this pattern is useful for a number of species i. Specialising in flies for all the predators of the great lakes region. The information in this book is very useful if you are new to great lakes fishing. Why carp may be fly fishings final frontier, and how you can get in on the action. This film was shot and produced by beattie outdoor productions. The great lakes have an asian carp problem us represented. Jun 23, 2017 the news of an asian carp found within nine miles of the great lakes is cause for serious concern, ohio gop sen. Jan, 2015 the orvis beginners guide to carp flies walks the flyfisherman through the steps of identifying the most likely food source, illustrating the best patterns that imitate that food, and discussing how to effectively present those flies. And when visibility is bad, we suggest the spork, rust carp fly. For steelhead that have been upriver for months, trout flies like hexagenia nymphs, caddis larvae, stoneflies, and eggs are more effective.
Josh greenberg an exploration of the unique techniques needed to fish the waters of michigan and the great lakes region, and a discussion of and paean to the region itself. Below eli describes how to fish these big bad dudes and offers a lot of information on each of these patterns. If a carp fly is going to work from coast to coast and even from pole to pole probably no carp at either pole, the carp fly has to imitate a lot of different food items. A great lakes fly fishing primer by jerry darkes great lakes angler. Asian carp have invaded the great lakes, pushing out other species in whatever area they choose to establish their territory. Fly fishing for carp is one of the most exciting things you can do with a fly rod. Innovative carp flies catch fly fishing wholesale flies. River carp flies tend to be much smaller than the great lakes patterns, but do not. This fly is perfect for catching carp as it sets on the bottom appearing to be a defensive crawfish. See more ideas about carp flies, carp and fly tying. These flies are great for targeting tailing fish, but outside of that realm their functionality is quite limited.
Aug 08, 2016 asian carp have invaded the great lakes, pushing out other species in whatever area they choose to establish their territory. The mega rattling murdich was a top producing fly in 2011. Quality carp flies for sale, a great range of foam and natural flies. Welcome to the great lakes fly fishing company, a fly shop that combines old school customer service and education with modern fly tackle and techniques our shop, located in rockford, michigan features both cutting edge fly tackle, as well as a. Orange or pink blob sizes 1012 american anglers dont see or hear much about these european flies. I would recommend this book to both the novice fisherman and the some what experienced fisherman alike. Kevin morlock has built a solid reputation as one of the premier carp fly fishing guides on and around lake michigans beaver island. Most crayfish patterns are larger sized streamers, that are heavy and hard to cast. The season for carp on the flats of grand traverse bay and lake michigan ranges from midmay through midjuly.
There is no particular magic for the hares ear as compared to other nymph patterns, i just find it to be an easy and flexible tie that works and i have caught many carp on them. Erdosys carp crab olive erdosys carp crab brown james spicers dirty craw. Carp flies for the great lakes current works guide service. Carp can be found in a variety of waters stemming from the dirtiest of inner city rivers, to the cleanest and most pristine waters of the rocky mountains, to the clear water shallow flats of the great lakes. That is what drives us to the flats every year in early summer to hook into these golden bonefish and bronzebacks of the great lakes. Medium weighted flies flies with beads or bead chain eyes that will get the fly down mid water column in deeper water or on the bottom in shallower water will be good. It can be fished on a dead drift or stripped like a streamer.
With detailed information on tying all of the important carp flies, this book eliminates months of trial and. Carp fishing lake michigan, great lakes fly fishin. The following is a selection of my favorite carp flies. Peter sent me 5 types of flies, some bone fish leaders, a spool of tippet, and his top two places to fish. What flies you choose to use on your home waters will really depend upon what the main forage base for your fish is. Jul 14, 2016 what flies you choose to use on your home waters will really depend upon what the main forage base for your fish is. For more ideas visit the 2012, 20 or 2014 flyswap pages. Great lakes steelhead fly patterns 14 matching articles. Nov 11, 2014 this video is a very short location trailer for the 2015 fly fishing film tour movie called carpland. Hares ear nymphs are a good nymph pattern that works when carp are finding other less subtle flies intimidating. Ted kraimer current works, llc po box 333 traverse city, michigan 49685.
The wooly bugger was one of the first flies i ever learned about and with it, over my many years of fly fishing, ive caught rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, rock bass, mooneye, carp, catfish, crappie, bluegill, striper, gar, walleye, and salmon. An asian carp found in a chicago waterway near lake michigan began its life far downstream and apparently got around a series of electric barriers intended to keep the invasive species out of the. Fly fishing the inland oceans and millions of other books are available for. Ted kraimer current works, llc po box 333 traverse city, michigan 49685 231 8838156. Fly fishing for carp has become one of the hottest things happening on the great lakes and beyond. This book is the ultimate guide for all carp on the fly enthusiasts such as myself fishing the great lakes on the canadian side. Our premium carp flies are tied on gamakatsu, tiemco or daiichi hooks.
The book carp on the fly by barry reynolds, brad beefus and john berryman contains great information about identifying and understanding the various feeding behaviors of carp. Fly fishing articles from big y fly co, covering virtually all aspects of fly fishing. Its also great with carp and river smallies, and fishes indicators effectively further than the switch rod and with less mending. Well cover the exotic use of helicopter to locate schools of shallowwater carp on remote. Has how to information about planer boards, leadcore, divers, downriggers, and lure selection for salmon and trout fishing. Study says grass carp have invaded three of the great lakes.
It is written in a style that is very easy to understand. For example, there is a large mayfly that is common in most lakes and streams in michigan the hexagenia limbata or hex. In this fly tying tutorial, i show the steps to tie a fantastic fly for steelhead, known as defranks grim reaper. Invasive asian carp caught 9 miles from great lakes npr. All carp flies fly fishing flies for less discountflies. But this book has a ton of flies 101 and can provide a lot of inspiration for flies and materials for whipping up your own flies for some specific applications in your local waters. Asian carp found near lake michigan got past barriers. Jan 28, 2017 invasive grass carp have reached three of the great lakes and pose a significant environmental risk there, but time remains to prevent them from getting out of hand, according to a scientific. Flies can be impressionistic or realistic in their imitation of carp food. Carp flies for the great lakes testimonials about ted kraimer fishing guide. This week we sit down with kevin morlock, steve martinez and austin adduci of indigo guide service. Carp can be found in a variety of waters stemming from the dirtiest of inner city rivers, to the cleanest and most pristine waters of the rocky mountains, to. These invasive carp are currently approaching lake michigan on their ravaging journey, threatening to bring extinction to most if not all of the lakes natural species of fish. You could list this book as a resource in all the skill categories but it is absolutely profound when it comes to categorizing carp feeding moods.
My favorite chapter is the one titled super meat which discusses big 46 inch goby and sculpin flies for carp in places like the great lakes where they munch. In western pennsylvania fly fishing on the allegheny river and youghiogheny river is filled with numerous warmer water species including carp, pike and musky. About your guide, ted kraimer gift certificate gift certificates guide trips. Carp flies for sale online buy carp fly fishing accessories. I went out fishing for carp, and got a carp and even some smallmouth bass. Ive put much of the knowledge to work successfully. Feel free to give us a call us at 4142598100 if you havent fly fished for carp and need some help. Perhaps if my fishing mentor gary took me carp fishing instead of bass fishing those first few years, id have a different mindset. Small freshwater clams and different species of aquatic worms are very prevalent in. When i first started carping maybe fifteen years ago, in the great lakes, we were fishing little bitty flies.
New books on the topic have been released recently but i find reynolds has covered it all long before it became cool and hip and trendy. Justin pribanic offers guided fly fishing float trips on both rivers for smallmouth bass, trout and in the winter guided wade trips for great lakes steelhead. There are a ton of carp patterns that use bead chain eyes to great effect. This book is very well written by 2 charter captains. Carp have been rising up on the list of desired freshwater fish to experience on the fly. I fished all day with my small flies and only caught one fish. The carp fishing is fantastic, and if they are challenging the smallmouth usually save the day. When fly fishing for carp on the flats of the great lakes, carp flies need to mimic things like baitfish and crayfish. Some will even go so far as to compare this freshwater monster to the notorious bonefish, earning the carp the nickname of the golden bone. Smallies are arguably the perfect fly rod fish, perhaps even more so than.
Make sure to have carp fly patterns such as mayflies, caddis flies, and dry stoneflies. The flycarpin carp flies page a comprehensive list of the flies i use and when where i favor them. This video is a very short location trailer for the 2015 fly fishing film tour movie called carpland. The news of an asian carp found within nine miles of the great lakes is cause for serious concern, ohio gop sen. Carp on the fly resources part 4, by tom mcinerney.
This is the first comprehensive book on tying the best flies for carp, featuring patterns and techniques from anglers around the united states. Carp will take impressionistic flies but they are often less likely to do so than other fish. Carp are bottomfeeders, so you need a fly with some weight, so flies with tungsten and lead eyes are a good bet. Carp flies beginners guide to carp flies walks the flyfisherman through the steps of identifying the most likely food source, illustrating the best patterns that imitate that food, and discussing how to effectively present those flies. Invasive grass carp have reached three of the great lakes and pose a significant environmental risk there, but time remains to prevent them from getting out of. Fedex 2 day or priority mail ships same or next business day standard is currently taking up to days. Reynolds is the true pioneer of this exciting sport. Call 01757 333003 for help and advice in picking the best flies. With some 30 years combined experience on lake michigans beaver island archipelagoarguably the best carp fishing in north americathese guys know their flies, their fish and their water. Personally i fish these flies on a sinking line 97% of the time. Welcome to the great lakes fly fishing company, a fly shop that combines old school customer service and education with modern fly tackle and techniques our shop, located in rockford, michigan features both cutting edge fly tackle, as well as a taste of the past, by offering vintage and used gear. Kevins fly, the carp breakfast has quickly become one of his clients favorite flies, as well as a sure killer all around the great lakes region where big, heavy patterns are necessary and effective. With over 600 stepbystep photos and over 20 patterns by tiers ranging from barry reynolds to bob clouser to author jay zimmerman, including fishing information, this book is the definitive flytying. A book was published in boulder, colorado in 1997 coauthored by barry.
The 2012 carp fly swap page a summary of all the great carp flies from the 2012 flycarpin fly swap. Zimmerman would prefer that i come over to the dark side and tie up a box of carp flies to fish for you know carp, but dont take my reluctance as a knock on the book. Keep it along the bottom in deeper water to get a strike and a great fight. The great thing about streamer fishing is that it is proactive, you become the fly as you strip, pause, jerk, and manipulate the fly to entice the fish to chase down and attack. Theyre outrageously bright and dont really resemble anything you might see in or around a lake, but theyre a great attractor pattern, even if the fish arent actually taking the blob itself. Most blind casting fly patterns are going to vary from the classic short shanked, dumbbell eye style carp flies.