Fly Fishing for Carp Tips

Switching your attention to carp can be a fantastic way to get a serious bend in your rod this month. Here are our best flies and tips for summer sport:

Countless fisheries offer carp on the fly these days. And while mirrors and commons may be quite literally common these days, few of our species battles harder on a fly rod.

Common yes, but the carp are not always a pushover. Their popularity can lead them to “wise up” to standard tactics. Perhaps this explains partly why fly fishing can be deadly- if you play it right.

1. Follow your nose: Carp are seldom evenly spread on any fishery, so use your feet. If there is a breeze, warm water and food will naturally collect in some spots. Look for concentrations of fish and don’t be afraid to get stuck into those more cramped spots and unfancied swims- carp feel safe here.



2. Cast smart: Talking of tight swims, the carp fly angler quite often has to adapt his casting style for swims or fisheries that are not so accommodating. You needn’t always cast far to catch carp though. If you’re calm and quiet they will often come right in to the bank. Roll casts or catapult casts are two very useful deliveries to practise.

3. Ideal starting flies: Carp can indeed be caught on natural flies, but on a lot of manmade fisheries their staple diet is bait and so you will catch a lot more by being pragmatic. Our Floating Pellet and Floating Bread flies are ideal for day ticket fisheries- with ideal perfect buoyancy to trick the fish.



4. Open wide: If there is one classic error in carp fishing on the surface, it is the timing of the strike. Carp can be adept at messing around or spitting out the fly. Try to wait just a split second when a carp inhales, to make sure it is properly taken. Striking should be decisive but not overly harsh to avoid breakages.


5. Firm but fair: Carp are powerful fish and not to be taken lightly. If there are few snags a light outfit right down to a four to six weight can be fun for smaller carp. For the bigger fish though, a 7-9 weight is more appropriate. Try strong knotless leaders, in breaking strains from 6-12lbs depending on the size of the carp.



6. As nature intended? As a final thought, there are also other ways to catch carp. Floating terrestrials such as a Beetle can work, or try sinking wet flies such as a bloodworm or Hare’s Ear. The process of tricking carp on natural flies is a brilliant challenge- but another story altogether. For further tactics and flies, Dominic Garnett’s bestselling Flyfishing for Coarse Fish comes highly recommended, while www.flyforcoarse.com has further tips, flies and an exclusive competition.