The summer of 2015 has had it’s ups and downs with the weather. Cooler cloudy days have provided us with some outstanding trout fishing….those with heat however and bright sun, well…they’ve provided us with ample challenge. It’s then that it pays to be flexible, to understand the potential of the day and to recognize then pursue the best of the available options. Indeed, it’s these 95 degree, bluebird days that we head for the carp flats.
Carp, unlike trout, thrive in the heat and the sun and provide sight fishing opportunities that will rival most any fish that frequents shallow water and is willing to eat a well presented fly.
Now, as we head into late summer, as the nights grow longer and our mornings cooler, our trout fishing potential will grow, getting better by the day. The carp scenario will wane. Cooling water temps will slow their metabolism and the angle if the late summer sun will make visibility more difficult. Sure we can squeeze in a few more days but realistically the glory days of the carp summer are now past.
We can think back now on those that ate dry flies, the 2 pounders that were as hot as any bonefish, the 21 pound brute that was too big for the net. The snapped leaders, the bad casts and those that were just right. The trailers, the mudders, the wolf packs in the foam. It’s a game of peaks and valleys, of intense concentration and emotional outbursts. It’s hard to have much more fun with a fly rod and I’m already looking forward to next July. Pretty fired up for the cloudy forecast and potential for some dry fly fishing on the Yellowstone tomorrow too!