Wow what a great day stalking carp at my favorite carp pond in Fort Collins. With the local warm front passing through the Front Range of Colorado our local ponds are warming up fast. Around noon when I started the temp was right around 55 degree's. Light breeze and the was clear to about 3 feet off the shore, otherwise it was silty. I positioned myself next to that big cottonwood tree on the left and did my best 'tree' impression. Short after I was amazed to watch a 'flight' of 3 medium size carp fly towards the reeds, each one off the right shoulder of the one in front. I was really thought I was watching a flight of P-51 fighters sent into patrol the flats for the bigger bombers in the rear.
I tied on a huge orange crawdad pattern from the fly swap and after two cast lost it in the tree! Damn. Wondering if this was just to big I went for something I have never tried before, an egg from Gregg Martin. Gregg states
"Eggs are nice in that they land softly and present a very visible piece of possible food. Carp often go far out their way to investigate them on the bottom or even suspended in the water column. I normally fish these to either poorly seen or unseen fish under an indicator. I do not think they are taken for an egg, as I catch most fish where they never see such a thing." I am a solid believer in Eggs now! I watched this guy suspend in the current. I cast past him and pulled the egg over him slowly and then when the fly was just past his nose I let the egg settle and was rewarded. I watched the carp swim forward and suck in the fly! How cool was that? Thanks Gregg, you made a convert of me.
Greggs Carp Egg
Well by the end of the day the water temp had climbed to 58 and more carp were coming up closer and closer to the shore, but alas I had to run off for dinner. I did land two and lost 2 more. I can't wait for this weekend as the weather is supposed to continue to warm. Hope to post more pictures soon.
Lonny
Gregg is gonna be so pumped! 58deg water, holy mackeral. It was probably only iced off, what, 3 weeks ago in your area?
ReplyDeleteHard to believe that the water is that warm already but its a new thermometer. I didnt believe it at first either so I redid the temp about 10 minutes later just see if I goofed somehow. Nope 58 degree's. I can't wait to tie ups some of Gregg's Eggs now. I am sold.
DeleteLoveland and Fort Collins have been above 60 for almost 2 weeks now and its only getting warmer. Strange weather, but I love being able to sleep with the windows open. Brian at Elk Horn Fly and Reel says that once you can sleep with the windows open you know its prime Carp time! Have you been able to get on the river?
DeleteI was out last weekend and it actually SUCKED! Not sure why, the weather was fine, if anything better than when I did quite good the weeks before. Didn't find one positive carp though. Going back out tomorrow, hopefully either they are I are out of the funk. Contemplating checking out some still-water though, especially after you have had such luck.
DeleteMcTage, I went again today. Lots of cruisers and some pairing off noted. Even witnessed several jumpers and two that seemed 'scrapping off the bottom". Not sure about that behavior. Again the pattern of the day was Greggs Eggs. They just love those right now. Good luck.
DeleteI am indeed pumped! I'm just glad this worked for you Lonny! This silly pattern works all year for me, in other words the conditions often depend when I use it, not the available food item at the time. When it's very dirty water also it shines. I am just glad it worked for you now!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCool! Gregg
Gregg, OMG! I just love your pattern, love love! I watched as the egg dropped down and the carp would turn to see what plopped in and make a b-line for the egg. Wow! So the question is, what material do you use? I have to keep using your pattern. Do other egg colors work as well and do you ever put any 'Gink' to help keep it mid column or do you just let it sink. I found I liked to strip it in as I could easily see the egg in the water. Great fun man!
DeleteHi Lonny,
ReplyDeleteThat egg just turns heads very often. It is not a glo-bug as it is spun and packed yarns. I never learned to tie the world's simplest pattern well, so this is what I came up with. I use std.glo-bug yarns, soft yarns of wool/acrylic mix and others I think would have the right texture. Plus I love to mottle the colors, yours was nominally "Peach" glo-bug yarn mixed with a salmon color and light orange I believe. My original was smaller, a #10, (yours a #6, what I normally use now,) and a solid color of light yellow yarn from a craft store. I can't find that yellow in a glo-bug yarn so I mix white with it often. I also tie them in a bright green/white/chartreuse blend. To see how I tie them check back on the carp swap thread with Mctage. I use about what amounts to 2 1" pieces of std. glo-bug yarn per each spin and pack, or 4 total, you will find what is correct. They I fish as is, but if I find a carp on top I quickly toss it to it as it takes some time for them to sink unaided. I prefer light colors, white and a cream of wool/acrylic with yellow is a favorite. Geez, I'm flattered you enjoy that fly. I knew that when I offered it most would use it last, and I tie nice flies otherwise, but after my first attempt with them they are ALWAYS on one of two rods I carry. And, I have not used floatant on them, though if I think I need to I would.
Thanks, let me know how things progress with it!
Gregg
Another great day and the pattern of the day was YOUR EGG! Its the only pattern that is turning their head this early in the season. I will go out and get some yarns and the UTC 140 thread tonight based on your last post. I hope they turn out somewhat like yours. Thanks Gregg.
DeleteThank you Gregg, I will check out the blog some more and see if I can figure out how to tie up a few. Wow, eggs! Love it.
ReplyDeleteLonny
Lonny,
ReplyDeleteI went back to my tutorial and I found it may be unclear, not McTage's fault, mine. Use heavy thread, but not like spinning bass bugs, UTC 140 is great. After the thread foundation completely encompass your chosen yarn with only 2 tight wraps and really reef on them, insure the yarn is 360 degees about the hook. Keep the thread tight with one hand and pick out the fibers with a needle, comb, etc., very well. Part the fibers to allow the thread to pass ahead, and make another, smaller, foundation. Really pack hard now from both directions. Now repeat what you did the first time wih a like bunch of yarn. Insure again it is picked out WELL. Pack from the front, hard, and then if you have a means, push it all forward to the eye. Whip finish, cut off. Divide the sections as illustrated and trim as you pull hard on each section, top and bottom. Pick out again and trim as needed to obtain an egg shape. I apply water based cement at the head and work some in the butt. I hope this helped if needed it.
Gregg
Right on Ty, thank you for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteLonny,
ReplyDeleteJust trying to help. Hey, the yarns I use are from Hareline Dubbing, "Egg Yarn"-The Bug Shop, 'Glo Bugs Yarns-Troutsmen Enterprises,"Nylon Tow Strike Indicator" (Strike indicator yarns are great for eggs,) And craft store yarns such "Wool Ease" their Thick and Thin, Bernat Roving, both are 80/20 acrylic/wool. DO NOT USE MCFLY FOAM! at least not for my style of tying these things, which, you've got me tying again, bad influence guy!
If you have questions my email is gdjrb@q.com.
Best, Gregg