As the water depth gets shallower, carp are warier. Lighter flies do not splash as much and don’t snag the bottom as easily.

It’s critical to use flies that sink close to their feeding zone--an approximately 24-inch circle in front of their heads--without scaring the carp. If the fly doesn’t quickly reach the zone, the carp will move or change direction and you’ve lost your best opportunity--always the first cast. Repeated casting spooks most carp, even if it is not obvious to you. Using type I, II, and III density carp flies significantly increases your chances of success.

When conditions are good for slow-swimming flies, have a selection of colors and sizes (#4-12) of Woolly Buggers, marabou or rabbit fur leeches, small minnow fry, and swimming nymphs such as damsels, dragonflies, and Isonychia mayfly nymphs. Tie them with the hook point up and with snag guards so you can swim them realistically through the aquatic vegetation where carp hunt.

Floating Flies
When carp are at the surface, it’s best to imitate the foods they are actually eating and, equally important, to get the fly within visual range and directly into the path of their mouths. Unlike trout, surface-feeding carp seldom notice a particular item and change direction to eat it. When carp are working on top in stillwater, I use small surface flies like midges, Tricos, spent caddis, and flying ants. Using two or three flies about 6 to 10 inches apart significantly increases your odds.

As I mentioned earlier, big solitary carp, especially downstream from tailwater dams--or carp close to cutbanks and overhanging terrestrial vegetation--rise to take hoppers, small bass and panfish poppers, sliders, and sponge spiders. These older, experienced fish have discovered the one-bite delights of grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets, big beetles, and crippled minnows, and seem to be triggered more by the fly’s plop than its visual form.

One last note on carp flies: Being able to see your fly makes it much easier to catch carp, so choose flies you can spot well both on and under the water. Flies in white, yellow, or fluorescent orange colors are easier to locate and track once they are presented. Of course, polarized sunglasses are mandatory for sight-fishing.

Stalking Carp
Harry Potter would be a master carp fly fisher because he is a wizard with a cloak of invisibility.

Bonefish, permit, and redfish fly fishers do well on carp flats because they know how to use stealth for success. When feeding in clear, shallow water, carp are spooky and cautious. If you can eliminate your scent, make no noise, and remain invisible to a carp, they stay relaxed and focused on feeding. If you or your tackle distracts or frightens them, they stop feeding or vacate the area immediately.