Summer Tips for Chasing Carp on the Fly with Brandon Morrison

Fishing for carp in Southeast Idaho is at its peak when trout fishing starts to slow down because of warm water temperatures and declining water quality. From the Snake River to the many reservoirs scattered across southern Idaho, there's no shortage of opportunities to target these rough fish.

Carp don't always get the respect they deserve, but if you've ever hooked one on a fly rod, you already know why they're worth chasing. Standing knee-deep on a flat, sight fishing to a carp that can eclipse 20 pounds and show you your backing every single time is well worth putting up with your buddies giving you a little crap for fishing carp.

Two Summer Scenarios to Look For

Late in the summer, there are two situations I look for almost every time I head out.

The first is dry fly fishing. Early in the day, carp will cruise the surface, sucking up spinners, bug husks, scum, and just about anything else they can find before the heat of the day sets in. This activity can also be found in the evening. It's not something many people associate with carp, but watching one confidently eat a dry fly is hard to beat.

The second is a scene straight out of the Florida Keys.

You'll find fish tailing across shallow mud flats, rooting around for their next meal. If you've never watched a group of tailing carp work across a flat, you're missing out on one of the coolest sights in freshwater fly fishing.

Long Leader, Low Profile, & a Little Luck  

Both of these situations call for the same things: a long leader, some stealth, and honestly, a little luck. I usually fish a 10 to 12-foot leader with 2X tippet and finish the last couple of feet with fluorocarbon.

For tailing fish, a simple drag-and-drop presentation is hard to beat. Cast a few feet ahead of the fish and let the fly sink naturally into its feeding lane. As the carp closes the distance, give the fly a subtle drag or short strip to imitate prey trying to escape. More often than not, that little bit of movement is all it takes to trigger an eat. If you can get close enough without spooking them, a simple dab in their feeding lane will also do the trick.

Fly Choice: Weight Over Variety 

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to carry a fly selection that is more diverse in weight than in patterns. Carp will constantly change where they're feeding and how they want the fly presented. Having unweighted, brass bead, and tungsten versions of the same bug lets you adjust your sink rate to match anything they throw at you.

Carp aren't everyone's favorite fish, and that's okay. For me, they've become the perfect way to stay on the water while giving trout a break during the hottest part of the summer. They'll test your patience, humble your casting, and, when everything finally comes together, they'll remind you why they're one of the hardest-fighting fish you can catch on a fly rod.