Dear Carp - Reminiscing

Dear Carp,

On my most recent visit with your kind I found myself reminiscing about a time that Charlie and I came to your home together.  It was three years ago to the day when not only Charlie and I came, but two young chaps with the television show Outdoor Oklahoma also came.

Outdoor Oklahoma wanted to do an outdoor show about fly fishing for carp and of course we were excited about helping.  Yes, we captured several of your lot and all of it was captured on film.  It was a day of Lights, Camera, Carp.

Since that filming the show has aired numerous times and most seemed quite pleased with the production.  One exception was the local game ranger.  He reported that upon the initial airing of this film his phone began to ring and didn't stop.  The outdoor public was highly interested in fly fishing for carp and on one hand that is a good thing.  On the other hand though, it caused Charlie and me some concern.  Of course we will always be willing to introduce new people to this sport, but we also know how some species have become pressured to the point it almost becomes exploitation and we do not want that to happen to you.

Now on my most recent trip to visit your lot I brought the gift that has seemed to be your favorite - the Aftermath.  The first three citizens I would connect with all broke off our talks rather abruptly, which seemed highly unusual and gave me cause to inspect the line I use to connect with you.  That inspection revealed a severe roughness in the line and that roughness was dispensed of.  A new Aftermath went on and the next citizen would come in for the branding.

He was a pretty lad. 

 

Still, I am not getting to spend near the time I wish with your community, but things may change someday.  Until then, I wish you well.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Prairie Ocean Fly Fisher

Lights, Camera, Carp

Videographers for Outdoor Oklahoma, Blake and Darrin, arrived in Sulphur shortly after 7 a.m. today and we were soon on Rock Creek fly fishing for carp. At the end of the day, I would come away with a greater appreciation for what these guys do. Although it was tremendous fun, at times it was almost like work. There are certain things that have to be done from several angles or directions to make film work, so Charlie and I went through the routine.

We knew that rain was headed for the Prairie Ocean, but we didn't expect it until Wednesday. We knew for sure we'd have sunshine today which is vital in sight fishing for carp. We didn't have sunshine... not a drop. We fished all morning under an overcast sky which made fishing tough.

We started out at the big hole at the place we call the Courtyard, but neither Charlie or myself had any luck. The carp would come have a look at our flies then simply turn away.

We then started the rather long journey upstream while Darrin was carrying that forty pound camera with him. This guy had to work today. Upstream, I finally found a carp with the Carpola Charlie and the guys got that on film. Then Charlie hooked into something and I knew for sure it was a carp, but it turned out to be a dandy little catfish who fancied Charlie's San Juan Worm. I had another opportunity for a carp and saw the carp come to my fly, his mouth open to suck it up, and as I set the hook...somehow...someway... a perch picked that fly like a linebacker intercepting a football. My hookset... the one I knew was on that carp, caught the perch. What a thief!

On the way back downstream we fished the big hole again with the same results - refusals. We then decided to fish a new stretch of water, but found few carp. I went further downstream and hooked up with another carp and I thought the video guys were far behind me. But, when I looked around Blake was there filming.

The most exciting part of the day came at the end. Darrin and Blake were getting ready to wrap things up and Charlie started blind fishing with the San Juan. All of a sudden I heard the water explode and Charlie had a nice carp on that worm. Blind fishing!!!

That experience right there was a day-maker.

Darrin and Blake said they work a year out but promised us an earlier DVD. They also commented it was some of the best footage they've ever shot. Can't wait to see it.

Here are a few pictures I managed today.

Still Carpin' And Television Show

I have slowly migrated back to the carp on the fly thing. My goodness, it is terribly addictive, and I really don't know what to do in breaking the spell, and perhaps... I don't know if I want to know.

This morning I was met with weather there was reminding of trout season at Blue. The temperature at 7 a.m. was in the low fifties - crisp and quite refreshing. My goal today was to find some new carp water. Little did I know of the great failure that would soon become mine to own.

I put in at the low water bridge near Rock Creek campground. The first fifty feet of wading is like trying to maneuver a submerged mine field of boulders - boulders that trip you, make you stumble like you're terribly clumsy or perhaps... terribly hungover. Hungover I was not... clumsy as a buffoon I am.

Shortly I would find a deer trail on the bank and was able to make the next two-hundred or so feet following the trail. At the end of the trail, the creek widens and the bottom of the creek here is smooth and sand-filled.

At the end of this wide pool is a series of stair-stepped riffles and they are beautiful, but you're shortly back to more mine fields. This run, which is about one hundred and fifty yards long is no wider than six feet at any given point. You'll pass some large boulders on your right and this place is known as "Cat's Eye". Cat's Eye was a favored fishing place of mine when I was a kid and many a big bass and catfish came out of this hole. But today... I didn't see a single fish.

At the end of this narrow run was my target - a large oval shaped pool with shallows all the way around. I just knew there would be carp in this pool, but after fifteen or twenty minutes of searching, I hadn't seen a single carp. The wade was at least a half mile, and it was now time to return the same way I came.

I would end up salvaging my morning by going to known carp water and capturing one magnificent carp. I say magnificent in the sense of the fight in this fish - had me in the backing before I knew it. Later in the day I would return to Rock Creek again and capture one more carp.

It seems the carp are fewer and much more difficult to capture these days. Charlie noted just the other day how strange these beasts are acting and after more observation we are convinced that certain communities are trying to spawn.

The television show Outdoor Oklahoma is coming Tuesday to go carping with Charlie and I, so wish us luck in catching some carp. It should be a fun trip regardless.

Here are some of my recent carp catches.