The green hopper strikes again. Refusal, rejection, disgust, and finally fooled. Presentation of the fly is important. But in the end it's up to the fish. You can do everything right and it still comes down to the fish deciding to eat. I guess that's how I feel after repeated strikeouts and finally fooling another grassie. I hooked this fish from the top of the pond bridge. He was sitting motionless just under the surface with head angled up -- a common position to find grass carp. I placed a green hopper a foot in front of him. He startled back initially but then slowly rose to eat. Grassies have a tendency to nibble the fly and from my high bridge vantage point I could see when the hopper was ready to set (nibble, nibble, gulp, set!). The hardest fish to fool are often the most rewarding. If I could catch a grassie every trip to the pond the reward wouldn't be as sweet. Big carp on hoppers, does it get any better?
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| The youngsters enjoyed the show. After helping me snap the pictures they were no longer thinking of bluegill and bullheads :-) |
John
ReplyDeleteI agree that the carp is one killer of a fish on the fly, what weight fly rod landed this beast, and what do think it weighed? For some strange reason green seems to get a reaction from a carp as was the case this past April when I landed my largest carp on my 4 wt. while bluegill fishing. Thanks for sharing a great post!!
Bill – I've been using a 5wt on the grassies. I don't know what these grass carp have weighed. I really should weigh one for reference. They're heavy!
DeleteI recently got a shot at a Grass carp on a Green Stealth Bomber (closest thing I had in my box to a green hopper) and a little one pounder bass stole it right out from under the grassie... which of course ruined my chances for the day.
ReplyDeletebummer. I like a hopper thats a little too big for most panfish. Of course a bass will steal anything.
DeleteGosh knows I have tried this recently, mine with a green predator. Pure disdain. The fish obviously has to be in the absolute right mode, the stars lined up, the moon wherever it is ideal to be. Good for your success!
ReplyDeleteGregg
yep, stars must align. No wind, no waves, high sun, all so you can see them. Then maybe, if you're lucky, they'll eat.
DeleteNice work!
ReplyDeleteKeep posting your grass carp successes!! It gives me hope! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent location.
ReplyDelete