Mr. Carp, Meet Jaws. Jaws, May I Introduce, Mr. Carp.

While the problem is unfortunate, and the solution is creative, the video is simply one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.  Make sure you read the short article prior to watching the video.  Oddly enough, the virus they are describing, I believe, is the same virus that killed 75% of the carp in Blue Springs Lake a few years ago.

Link: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-lateral-line/herpes-carp-and-the-jaws-mash-up-of-the-century?dom=fas&loc=contentwell&lnk=herpes-carp-and-the-jaws-mashup-of-the-century 

Fish or Die

Alright fellow fishermen, if you aren't busy tonight, you now have something to do.  I feel like I may be the last to find out about this, but in case I am not, I am passing along some pretty cool news.  A new show is premiering tonight on Animal Planet at 9:00 and it is called Fish or Die.  It follows some fishermen (I believe all are fly fishermen which is even cooler) that are on an epic quest to fish remote waters in the middle of nowhere.  Now if these guys look familiar, it is because these are the guys that were featured in the "Geobass" web series.  It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun, and if we as sportsman want more programming like this, then the best way to get that done it so support incredible shows like this.  I hope you are able to tune in and I hope it turns out to be as great a show as I am hyping it up to be.

Fly Fishing For Beginners

If you are new to fly fishing and are looking for a good place to start learning more about the subject, the Missouri Department of Conservation has a great site to get your started.  For those of you that have a little more experience, it is still worth visiting because you still might learn a thing or two or be reminded of something you forgot.  There is a great pdf file at the bottom as well.

https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/fly-fishing

BIG Asian Carp

A buddy of mine has a pond that is infested with both Asian and Common Carp.  I feel bad for him because he stocked bass, bluegill, and catfish in the pond in the hopes of providing some fun fishing opportunities for his kids and friends.  However, a nearby creek flooded, backed into the pond, and some less desirable fish (at least in his opinion) were introduced into the ecosystem.  The Asian Carp are responsible for consuming large amounts of plankton as they are filter feeders.  The Common Carp consume large amounts of vegetation and muddy up the pond in a way that makes it difficult for other species to survive.  My buddy Pat and I try to eliminate a few of the carp every time we visit but I'm not sure how big of a difference we make by taking one or two fish out every once in a while.

Alright, enough of the doom and gloom, let's look on the bright side.  Common Carp are formidable opponents on a fly rod which is A LOT of fun.  It is possible to catch these carp in this particular pond on leaf flies, pellet flies (which imitate floating fish food that we use to bring these critters to the surface), and Griffith's gnats.  I have caught Common Carp as large as 12 pounds out of this pond on a fly and I am certain there is one that is MUCH larger than that.  As far as the Asian Carp go, they are either Bighead Carp or Silver Carp, I'm not sure which.  I don't think it is possible to catch these fish on a fly because I don't know how anyone could imitate plankton.  However, they can be snagged, gigged, and shot with arrows while bowfishing.  We have only successfully landed two of these fish while snagging but have hooked many more.  Regardless, I guess one man's trash (fish) is another man's treasure.

Carp Fly Fishing Follow Up- Austin's Flies

I received a message on Facebook the other day inquiring about the types of flies that Austin was using to catch grass and common carp.  Well ask and you shall receive!  Austin was kind enough to provide some pictures of the flies he is using and I hope they work for you too.

This fly is one of Austin's creations and does not currently have a name.  I bet the green ice dubbing gets a lot of attention when it hits the water.

This fly is another one of Austin's creations and does not currently have a name either.  The four bead chain eyes are definitely unique and not like anything I have ever seen before.  It is a testament to his creativity and ingenuity.

Austin calls this fly, the "Hybrid".  A lot of times carp flies don't seem to look exactly like anything but are wildly effective.  I know Austin has caught some nice fish on this and I just have to wonder...what in the heck do they think they are eating?

This Guy is on FIRE!

O’Fallon angler sets another state fishing record

Congratulations to James Lucas on setting the state record by catching an 8-pound, 6-ounce hybrid striped bass with a throwline on the Mississippi River.

Photograph courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

O’FALLON, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that James Lucas of O’Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he caught a hybrid striped bass on the Mississippi River.

The new “alternative method” record hybrid striped bass caught by Lucas on April 22 weighed 8-pounds, 6-ounces with a length of 24 3/4 inches and a girth of 18 1/2 inches. Lucas caught the fish with a throwline in one of his honey holes. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in O’Fallon.

“I’m really excited that I caught this fish,” said Lucas. “I have been trying for over a month and a half to set this record with a throwline, and I’m just really glad all my practice finally paid off.”

Lucas added fishing with a throwline isn’t easy; it takes a lot of practice to get it down.

“I was able to locate the fish and get over the hybrid striped bass and drop my line. Then the fight was on. The striped bass put up a decent fight, but once I got him on the bank, I got that gut feeling I had the record,” he said. “I didn’t know for sure until I talked with MDC and they confirmed it.”

Lucas is familiar with state-record fish. He holds a state record for the skipjack herring in the alternative method category, which he broke on April 8.

“You haven’t heard the last of me,” he said. “I hope to set many more state records in the future. As for this fish, I plan on mounting it and putting it on the wall with the others.”

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

Went Muskie Fishing and Caught a BIG Smallmouth

The other day my buddy Craig was telling me about a guided muskie fishing trip that he was going on down at Pomme De Terre Lake.  He was pretty pumped for the trip and upon his return, I inquired how things went.  He told me that while he didn't catch a muskie, the guide decided to take a break and fish for some bass in a cove.  While Craig didn't catch a muskie, he DID land a beautiful three pound smallmouth.  Congratulations Craig on an incredible catch!

Carpin'

Last week, there was Missouri Angler Profile on a young man named Austin.  Austin is a fantastic student, a polite young man, and ONE HECK of a fly fisherman.  I have known Austin for about 3 years now and he never ceases to amaze me in terms of his casting, fishing, and tying abilities.  Austin is a great representation of the next generation of fly fishermen, and with young people like him, the future is bright for our loved sport.

I could praise Austin for a while, but let's go ahead and get to some ACTUAL fishing information.  Austin and his older brother have been catching some grass carp and common carp out of the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri, and let's just say they aren't small.  The pictures speak for themselves and it just goes to show that if you are willing to adapt your tactics and the species you are fishing for, you can find quality fish in almost all of our waterways here in Missouri.

Weekend Black & Whites

I had the fortune to fish with my buddy Pat over the weekend at Blue Springs Lake.  The weather on Saturday morning was calm, cloudy, and drizzly...perfect for wipers.  We got to the lake a little late and our window appeared to be closing.  The rain was coming to an end, the wind was picking up, and the sun was coming out.  Pat fished off the dam with a jerk bait and I fished further out in my kayak.  Pat picked up his first-ever white bass and a largemouth (congratulations buddy) while I was getting skunked in the yak.  With the wind picking up and the waves getting larger, I decided to fish off the dam with Pat.  I was in the middle of saying that I thought we had missed the good fishing when I got bit...hard.  It is amazing to me, and maybe always will be, how hard wipers hit and how hard they fight.  We tussled for about 3-4 minutes and I finally got him but not without a few amazing runs and bulldoging.  I only wish there were more of them to catch because I might not fish for anything else if I had the option.

MDC Classes, Volunteering, and Kids Fishing Days

There are some free fishing days for kids coming up in May and June.  Check out the dates, locations, and events listed on the page and hopefully you can find something that you and your family might be interested in.

https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/kids-fishing-days

If you are new to fishing and are looking for a hands-on learning experience, there are many dates an locations around the state that can help you get started.  On the other hand, if you have some years of experience under your belt and are looking to volunteer some time while helping others, this site can help you as well.

https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/discover-nature-fishing