View Full Version : LA River Carp Flies
Fishnfun
05-24-2012, 04:28 PM
Met a fellow fly fisher at Pudd today. He was interested in seeing the type of flies we used down at the LA River to catch carp. So, here are the pics I promised him. They are nothing fancy, mainly glo bug type with variations in color. The ones made with the Estaz type chenille also works at times because of the added flash. We use a 5/32 size gold bead. You can add some lead wire under the bead if you want more weight. We also tie some without the bead to fish the carp we can see in the shallows. Hooks in size 10 and 12. The off white and chartreuse are the standard colors. But, sometimes a little added contrast color makes a difference. I fish a 6 wt but you can fish heavier. Leader is a straight 8' - 9' fluoro or mono leader in 8# test. Set strike indicator at desired depth. You want the fly to drift near the bottom without snagging. Cast up current and let drift down. Mend line if necessary for natural drift. If indicator stops or goes under, set the hook and the fun begins.
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG1005.jpg
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http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG1010.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG1011.jpg
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VIVID_FLY
05-25-2012, 05:51 AM
When are we going ... with our Tenkara Rods ..
Fishnfun
05-25-2012, 07:18 AM
When are we going ... with our Tenkara Rods ..
I bet your Amago could handle it. I'm not too sure my Stone Fly can. Broke in my rod yesterday with Fishing Queen. The usual small panfish/LMB. Lots of fun to feel the bend on my new rod. Also saw Mike doing his fly thing. See you out there.
The Fishing Queen
05-25-2012, 07:24 AM
Charlie, we have to plan a trip to fish for carp. I want try to get one on my fly rod. it will be fun! Thanks for posting the pictures and the info!
sumojo
05-25-2012, 01:54 PM
some nice flies
LARiver
05-25-2012, 06:50 PM
Cool flies!
I am a carp newbie and lean towards the wooly bugger-type flies. I definitely need to experiment.
For you Carp guys, this may be of interest: http://carpthrowdown.com
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x163/BernardYin/Carp%20Throwdown%20Assets/carpthrowdown.png
On facebook: Carp Throw Down (http://www.facebook.com/CarpThrowDown)
B.
Fishnfun
05-25-2012, 07:07 PM
Cool flies! I am a carp newbie and lean towards the wooly bugger-type flies. I definitely need to experiment.
I think you see buggers and insect type flies used a lot more in lake settings for carp. In the LA River, seems like most guys use the glo bug type flies. Unless you can tie a fly that looks and smells like some corn tortillas which is what most of the spinning gear guys use for bait at the LA River.
Fishnfun
05-25-2012, 07:09 PM
Charlie, we have to plan a trip to fish for carp. I want try to get one on my fly rod. it will be fun!!
It definitely would be fun. We'll need to work on it.
Fishnfun
05-25-2012, 08:11 PM
LA River carp on the fly.
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG0059.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG0061.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss201/fishnfun/CIMG0062.jpg
what part of the la river has carp?
Fishnfun
05-25-2012, 10:40 PM
what part of the la river has carp?
North end by Glendale and south end by Long Beach.
Ifishtoolittle
05-25-2012, 11:19 PM
Those are some neat and simple flies you have there. Quick question, do those flies imitate any local forage at the LA river? Or are they just some attracting flies that set-off a carp's curiosity? Gratz...
Fishnfun
05-26-2012, 08:36 AM
Those are some neat and simple flies you have there. Quick question, do those flies imitate any local forage at the LA river? Or are they just some attracting flies that set-off a carp's curiosity? Gratz...
My opinion is the flies just looks like something edible floating down the river. The LA River is mainly run off water and a lot of "stuff" gets washed down. The carps cannot be too picky on what they have to eat. If they don't at least try to eat what is floating by, they run the risk of missing a piece of food that will float past them and down the river. So, if they are hungry and they see something that looks edible floating by, they will try to eat it.
TonyLisa
05-26-2012, 09:56 AM
hear is a pattern that has worked for me at legg for carp a mini bugger pretty much on a size 10 1/100 jig hook or tie it on any hook with a bead head. colors that have worked for me are olive green, white, and black. also try it weightless when carp are feeding on top. oh and for some reason it has only worked on legg lake carp for me i dont know why? but never tried the la river someone pm me the directions to get there please. 35417
thanks pch aera in lb
North end by Glendale and south end by Long Beach.
tacklejunkie
05-26-2012, 12:04 PM
thanks pch aera in lb
Nice flies!
I want to hook one of those 6lber on my 3wt! :LOL:
LARiver
05-26-2012, 06:21 PM
I think you see buggers and insect type flies used a lot more in lake settings for carp. In the LA River, seems like most guys use the glo bug type flies. Unless you can tie a fly that looks and smells like some corn tortillas which is what most of the spinning gear guys use for bait at the LA River.
Classic!
Ok cool. Thanks for the good counsel.
B.
The Fishing Queen
05-26-2012, 06:40 PM
hear is a pattern that has worked for me at legg for carp a mini bugger pretty much on a size 10 1/100 jig hook or tie it on any hook with a bead head. colors that have worked for me are olive green, white, and black. also try it weightless when carp are feeding on top. oh and for some reason it has only worked on legg lake carp for me i dont know why? but never tried the la river someone pm me the directions to get there please. 35417
Thanks for sharing the pattern with us! I bet it was fun to catch those monsters on your fly rod.
The Fishing Queen
05-26-2012, 07:01 PM
Fishnfun, nice picture with the carp! I can't wait to try those patterns for carp fishing. I just learned how to tie hare's ear flies yesterday. I came to my mountain home and it was cold and windy, so I've been forced to stay inside. I watched a few videos, then my hands got itchy, I tied a dozen flies last night till 1:30 in the morning. Boy oh boy, I love it and I'm hooked now! I guess I don't have to jump in the water to save my $2.50 flies if I snag it near the shore. :LOL:
Fishnfun
05-26-2012, 07:33 PM
I just learned how to tie hare's ear flies yesterday. I came to my mountain home and it was cold and windy, so I've been forced to stay inside. I watched a few videos, then my hands got itchy, I tied a dozen flies last night till 1:30 in the morning. Boy oh boy, I love it and I'm hooked now! I guess I don't have to jump in the water to save my $2.50 flies if I snag it near the shore. :LOL:
Sales of flies at Orvis Pasadena will now go down by 50% since you have started tying your own. I can't wait to see your handy work. If they are as nice as your sculptures, they should be beautiful. It's a great feeling once you start catching fish on your own tied flies. Will need to put them to the test the next time at Pudd. Have fun tying! :Big Grin:
DockRat
05-29-2012, 08:42 PM
LA River was going off in LB at Willow St today. Checked it at lunch break.
Saw over a hundred boils and the Carp were swimming shallow
in the rocky area. They looked like Salmon splashing from 300' away.
Jumpers too. No more than 10 seconds between boils in 20 min of watching.
DR
Fishnfun
05-29-2012, 09:35 PM
LA River was going off in LB at Willow St today. Checked it at lunch break.
Saw over a hundred boils and the Carp were swimming shallow
in the rocky area. They looked like Salmon splashing from 300' away.
Jumpers too. No more than 10 seconds between boils in 20 min of watching.
DR
That sight is both good and bad. It's good if you wanted to watch carp, but not so good to fish and catch carp. They are in full spawn and the males are more interested in the females and vice versa. They are less interested in eating. That makes them hard to catch.
DockRat
05-31-2012, 06:37 PM
That sight is both good and bad. It's good if you wanted to watch carp, but not so good to fish and catch carp. They are in full spawn and the males are more interested in the females and vice versa. They are less interested in eating. That makes them hard to catch.
I went back 5-30 wed after work 5 - 7 pm. 3/8 bullet, 3' @ 4 lb flouro leader, mosquito hook, 4 w/corn.
Nothing. No bites, no boils, just ducks.
I think they might go down stream and cruise, between PCH & Willow. Then go up to the Willow lake.
They can't go upstream from there due to a uphill concrete slide.
Seemed like hundreds the other day, then a ghost town.
DR
DockRat
05-31-2012, 06:38 PM
When do you think the spawn will be over ?
Fishnfun
05-31-2012, 07:46 PM
When do you think the spawn will be over ?
They usually spawn during May and June. So, I think the spawn will run until around mid or late June. A small sliding sinker, swivel and 3' leader as you noted above will work. I would fish a 6# or 8# mono or flouro leader. Sweet canned corn or corn tortillas should work. Leave a little slack in your line after casting out. When the carp picks up the bait, let it swim away and pick up the slack in the line before you set the hook.