Carp on the Fly and Bug Hatches

[Ken G]

Hey SMF, I've been telling guys to do this on the Fox for years, even though I've never done it.

When I fished with Bob Long more, when we both had more time, he would sight fish for them with a one weight noodle fly rod. He'd hook one and I would come back 10 or 15 minutes later to see if he landed it.

Big mistake I made over the weekend was not having my fly rod with me. Usually this time of year I don't recall so many carp surface feeding on bugs in the slack water. First few hours of the day and the last few are when the major bug hatches are happening. If you can give it a try this week, I highly recommend it.

Speaking of bug hatches, that may explain the crappy bite lately. Or the need to be there at the right time. Besides the usual cadis hatch, I counted 3 different types of mayflies, all small flies. And the hatches are thicker than I remember for a long time. Saw this on the Kank once years ago during some kind of brown mayfly hatch. The smallie bite just dies. They are so busy gorging on the larvae, emergers to fly guys, that they ignore everything else.

At least that's one theory why I can't catch smallies lately. But it works for me.

[Darth]

Couple weeks ago the smallies FishWhistle and I were catching had been gorging themselves on what looked like Japanese Beetles.

If I can find a lure in that dark iridescent green color I'mma snatch it up!=)

[smallmouthfisher]

I never fished the fox at all where are some spots for slack water? also I dont think I can get out till sunday

[Ken G]

You actually just have to go down to the river and walk the shores. They're everywhere.

Where I was on Sunday they were all over the place. Violet Patch Park in between Montgomery and Oswego on the route 25 side.
I'm assuming you know how to use Google maps. Plug in Montgomery and just keep following the river down. You should see it.

I walked across the foot bridge and got in on the west side. I was kicking carp out of the way to get in the river. From that point you can pretty much go either direction. If the bug hatch is on, you'll see those big carp lips sucking them off the water right along the shore.

It really does all make sense once you see it.

[Dan]

And Sam! No puttin ur little worm in the water if u know what I mean! Sicko! LOL!!!!!

[Ken G]

Couple weeks ago the smallies FishWhistle and I were catching had been gorging themselves on what looked like Japanese Beetles.

If I can find a lure in that dark iridescent green color I'mma snatch it up!=)

I know my reasoning about September being the best month got kind of poo-pooed, but you bring up the exact point I was trying to make. By mid-September all these buggy critters are already disappearing. So the smallies have to go back to eating crayfish and minnows. Hence a better bite.

We'll see at the Monster Quest.

[Darth]

I know my reasoning about September being the best month got kind of poo-pooed.

Not by me...at all.

I haven't been able to read everything you've written but what I have resonates with absolute truth and familiarity.

Guys who have actually invested significant time and thought into the river rather than trying to take only the interwebz shortcuts would I think agree.=)

But the real question is...Which is better...Spring or Fall?

[Ken G]

But the real question is...Which is better...Spring or Fall?

Best month I ever had was I think 2003, November. Water temps got stuck around 45. Would go out seining minnows and fill a bucket full of them. Split shot, octopus hook, minnow. You had to use them or you weren't catching much. I wound up with 250 smallies for the month.

I won't fish live bait much anymore. Too much work.

That's a tough one, I've done well in both. But I believe I've consistently caught more in September and October. BIgger ones in April, May and into June. Fine by me. I like catching numbers better anyway.