Grande Traverse Bay carp and smallmouth of fly (with pics)

I had a great time flyfishing for carp and smallmouth on Grand Traverse Bay. They are two species I'd never caught on fly.

I visited Kirk Novak, owner of The Northern Angler in Traverse City, and he gave me a few tips and suggested a few flies.

First morning out, I caught and released nine carp to 20 pounds. Second day, I got 15 carp to 35 pounds. All were caught on a Befus Carp Fly.

Took a day off, then hit the water again. A cold front had moved through and the carp were conspiculously absent. So, I changed plans; I concentrated on smallmouth. I caught and released 12 to 5 pounds.

Caught the carp on 6-weight and the smallies on 6-weight and 4-weight.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC06593.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/DSC06464.jpg

Nice fish!!

NIIIIIICE!! Where is this bay at? Lake Eerie?

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Originally Posted by OKSTATEjiggy

NIIIIIICE!! Where is this bay at? Lake Eerie?

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Michigan. It's at Traverse City.

Two species never caught on fly......:eek: These are my two favorite!! :cool: The carp usually make some great line stripping runs, and thats a big un'! Smallies gotta be the best pound for pound fighting fish I've caught. A 5 pounder should be able to clear about 5' out of the water.

Were you catching the smallies on the flats as well? I've heard of the carp on flats up there, but wouldn't expect the smallies to be in that skinny water. Did he come off that rock pile on the right side of the photo? :rolleyes: Nice fish and nice picts!

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Originally Posted by AtticaFish

Two species never caught on fly......:eek: These are my two favorite!! :cool: The carp usually make some great line stripping runs, and thats a big un'! Smallies gotta be the best pound for pound fighting fish I've caught. A 5 pounder should be able to clear about 5' out of the water.

Were you catching the smallies on the flats as well? I've heard of the carp on flats up there, but wouldn't expect the smallies to be in that skinny water. Did he come off that rock pile on the right side of the photo? :rolleyes: Nice fish and nice picts!

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Carp and smallmouth were on the same flat, but the bass were just a little deeper.

Reminds me of flats fishing in the florida keys. Those carp look kind of like the bonefish we catch down there. Were you wading?

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Originally Posted by crappiewisdom

Reminds me of flats fishing in the florida keys. Those carp look kind of like the bonefish we catch down there. Were you wading?

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LOL, I have to disagree about the carp looking like bonefish, but whatever. Yes, I was wading.

NICE fish ! thanks for posting !

I've caught carp while fly fishing from a float tube. I was targeting crappie and bass. I also have caught channel catfish on flys.

Not wanting to argue but carp are sometimes referred to as the bonefish of the North, probably due to similar body structure etc. Anyway...nice catch!

Dude,

Sweet!!!!!!! Nice size on both species but that one smallie pick is Hugh!!! I'm hoping to nail a few on lake champlain this weekend.

Fatman

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Originally Posted by crappiewisdom

Not wanting to argue but carp are sometimes referred to as the bonefish of the North, probably due to similar body structure etc. Anyway...nice catch!

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I've caught bonefish on the fly and carp are very much different. They're more like our redfish. In fact, they remind me a lot of our redfish. I do know that they're sometimes referred to as golden bones, but they're not even close to a bone.

"Nice fish" but don't forget Lake MI, Green Bay side. Excellent smallies and carp also.

Nice pics, Steve. That's a fine smallmouth to have been caught on a fly. Congrats.
Pete