Flat at Riverbend ponds. I have fished this area often, but only for bass. Not anymore! This flats was unknown to me until today and I think I have a new favorite carp flats. The water temp was near 60 in the early afternoon and the water was shallow and crystal clear. The other pond was the same as yesterday, 58, clear and full of suspending carp not interested in any thing I had to offer, not even Greggs Carp Eggs. Bummer, those eggs are my new addiction and I hope I can reproduce a few soon. Heck after talking back and forth with Gregg I think I might be able to produce a few crude eggs. Thank you Gregg.
There were many many tailing carp, many jumpers and a few carp doing something I have not read about. Every few minutes in this large group, a few would roll and scrape their sides on the bottom of the pond. It was really easy to see their entire profile while doing the behavior but to be honest I have no idea what they were doing. What do you think this behavior is? What came to mind for me- maybe they had some type of parasite or bug and they were trying to shake it off. Or like McTage witnessed the day before, its just CARP BEHAVING BADLY! Here is his post. http://www.flycarpin.com/
Good times and get out and catch a Carp!
Lonny
Hi Lonny,
ReplyDeleteThose suspended carp, buggers they are. I first had success with that egg to some, but under an algea matt and using a small indicator. You have MUCH warmer water than we do save for a thermal river I've not much, as in none without help, access. I have grown used to that of course but I pine for places that a normal person could reach in seconds. But as far as that behavoir/I've seen that, though with individual fish or pairs or three. I suspect a cleansing thing but I would say they are few biologists who know a whole lot more than we as carpers do. Seriously glad your getting some action and located a new flat, cool!
Great! Gregg
Gregg, made a few of the eggs, not as nice as yours but I bet the carp won't bring his microscope with him! Lets hope they eat mine as well as yours!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Lonny
Lonny - That is spawning behavior. Spawning is completely dictated by water temperature. It hits the right temps (and your water is miraculously warm for March) and at least some females will give it a go and that is what you are seeing. No idea if they actually have eggs to deposit this early or are just going through the motions because the water says they should. You will get a real full-on spawn later in the season after it cools back down (it will) and then permanently sticks around those temperatures for a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteThank you McTage, I have been seeing that behavior more recently. Also many pair swimming by and ignoring everything else. Its always a big female and a smaller male to her right. I have even run into some mudding behavior and managed to pull one out on one of the patterns I created. Fun! The weather is supposed to cool off a few days then spike back up to the 70's again by the middle of week. Strange start to the year!
DeleteThanks
Lonny
Lonny,
ReplyDeleteIt was great meeting you last week, and thanks for the tip! I went out there this afternoon and hit the flats, and got 2 nice 21"! I had been out there last fall, and pretty much forgotten about it because it was such a swamp.
Bill
www.nocofly.wordpress.com
Bill, nice to meet you as well. Wow what a winter we have been having. Warm weather and warm water. Hope to see you on the ponds again soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for coming by to check out my blog as well, I enjoy yours as well.
Lonny
Lonny,
ReplyDeleteProbably nicer I'm certain. Be careful, those things can become your carp high of choice, they did mine. There are so few negative points about them, I find myself always having them with me. Been tying more, a size 8 straddles my original favorite 10 with my most used #6 now, and I'm tying many in that size. I love to mottle colors, I have fun with those flies.
Gregg