Hello all,

Has anyone had any success targeting wild(ish) carp in rivers?

I live in Cambridge, and rumour has it that there are a fair number of carp in the Cam. I'd love to have a go at them, but have no idea where to start. I've read up on the usual stillwater tactics (floating deer hair to resemble boilies etc), but those don't look as if they'd suit.

I'b be very grateful for any ideas - or indeed successful (or unsuccessful) experiments. Based on what I understand about their feeding habits, something weighted and nymphy right on the bottom seems to be the way forward? But then how best to detect takes, and how best to react?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

I would wait for the summer and then try to locate them and get them feeding on floating dog biscuits or crust. Then use an imitation like a deer hair dog biscuit. I think targeting them on nymphs would be very hit and miss, unless you can pin down where they are feeding.

Last time I was in Cambridge there were a fair number of Carp upstream of the punts (By a lock?) and in the large bend upstream. There were some very large fish amongst them.

I would follow Steve's advice and wait for Summer then at least you will know they are there.

My first tactic would be with a dog biscuit imitation (loose feed to get 'em going) just to give you confidence that they can be hooked and landed on fly gear. If you can stalk them, try an Olive Wooly B****r size 10. I've caught Carp in canals and stillwater with this fly so I can see no reason why it wouldn't work in a river.

Detecting a take can be tricky. Sometimes your leader will shoot forward or, more often than not, the take will be a subtle affair with the leader butt just sinking. If it doesn't look right just lift your rod.

When you hook a Carp it will have a turn of speed that will leave you breathless and, no doubt it will head for the nearest snag so I wouldn't go any lighter than a #7 with an 8lb tippet.

Ernie

So the consensus is that they're best targetted off the surface, or where you can see them.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

Bowfishing for Koi Carp you might knock off the odd rioting scarfie while you're at it