There have been only two outings in the last week - an hour yesterday afternoon and a couple of hours this morning. This morning looked iffy at best with dawn revealing dark and threatening clouds. With a significant chance of rain predicted for tomorrow I knew it was go today and take what comes or stay home and twiddle my thumbs. To the water I went.
On the way to the creek I stopped at the convenience store for a cup of coffee. The working girls waved me on as I stopped at the counter to pay for my "sissy" coffee as they call it. With an Annie Oakley cup of Joe in hand I went to the upper shallows above the pasture known as Honey Hole.
At the upper shallows, one of Charlie's Creek Critters was tied on and it took less than two minutes to target a surface-sipping carp. The Creek Critter is weighted and not wanting to change to a dry pattern I took the chance of this carp following the fly down in the column. The fly landed about eight inches in front of him and as he nose dived for the fly I went into blind mode. A little twitch, a little pressure felt and rod tip straight up. An early morning connection had come to bear.
Quickly leaving the upper shallows, Charlie's Pasture was the next stop. Charlie is in Denver visiting grandchildren. Before he left he gave me a tip about this pasture, sharing that the carp were congregating further downstream from the pasture itself. About two-thirds of the way up to Charlie's Pasture, I saw what he was talking about - carp hugging the far bank. A twenty-five foot roll cast into a trio of carp and one ate the Critter right away.
Proceeding upstream to the island at Charlie's Pasture, the next carp would come on what I call a "cheap shot". This fish was only about twelve or fifteen feet out. Dropping the fly from my hand into the water next to the bank I flipped the fly to the fish. It landed two feet above the carp, further than I had intended, but the fish swam straight for it and ate it.
Traveling another thirty feet upstream I see a cruising carp. Generally I don't cast at cruisers, but this guy looked like he was scanning the surface so the Critter went his direction. The carp took it mid-column and that is always exciting to see take place.
Yesterday afternoon I went out for an hour. It was mostly an unproductive trip. Winds were high yesterday causing a good chop on the water and I would have to find shallow water to manage one carp.
After the last carp this morning, the Creek Critter was showing some wear and tear. As I release the last fish back to his watery Hilton, the thunder was rolling my way. Looking to the western sky where the thunder was sounding, a lightning bolt found ground. With the storm coming and the Creek Critter looking done, it was time to go.
As I sit down to make this post, the rain begin to fall. Praise the rain. It's not going to be a lot of rain, but there is more promised tomorrow.
That is all rather neat. I wish my carp were not exactly easier, but far less wary of people. Mine rarely take as often as yours seem to. Send some Oklahoma carp fry my way!
ReplyDeleteGregg