The Board

I read that there was another concern namely with regards to what would happen if the disease left Australia and ended up in China or Europe. That would create a major incident.

Here is my killer damsel nymph. Lots of similar around nowadays but pretty novel fly 30 years ago. It’s certainly stood the test of time for me too. It’s a changed colour copy of John Goddards mayfly nymph (Although I got rid of the seal body behind the thorax after about 10 years). Incidentally I read somewhere “the Late JG”. Is this true? Sad to hear that if it’s the case.

Cheers, Paul

Tying size 10 hook (but I’ve used from 8 to 16 depending on if it’s a damsel nymph or another nymph, or even a bully )
Olive thread (Black makes the fly too dark)
Tail olive marabou
Wingcase and legs pheasant tail
Thorax Olive seal fur.
Can underbody lead, use beads etc.

Hi Paul

John passed away in 2012 at the age of 89.

I like those damsels, remember you showed me how you tied them in Montana, though it was a speed tie

Cheers
Lasse

Shit. Sorry to hear that. I missed it

Yeah I can tie I don’t know how many in an hour. - more than I need anyway!

Cheers, Paul

(The top one has had its legs bitten off by the way)

I would say 40% of the carp I caught were tailing, the rest were free-swimming on their way to breakfast.

When they are tailing in really shallow water it's a bit easier, bigger fish and/or deeper water needs some luck.....

Try to figure out how the fish is orientated, guess where the head is and cast just passed and in front of the fish, let the fly drop and slowly retrieve the fly.
Sometimes takes were obvious, but more than once it's felt like the carp was nibbling the fly and then I strike.

Writing about it I realise how much I miss this

Ciao

 I manged to sneek for another quick session this morning.

   Finaly.

First, small one and the next was a nice one and pull hard.


  P.s

Tong out is a sign of happines


Mik

I enjoy seeing your enthusiastic carp fishing posts mike.
I am addicted as well.

Cheers Vince.
I got one small one on Saturday, but Wednesday will be a big day. Im bringing my kayak
Mike

Hi Vince! Good to see you here! Hope you’ve been well. Your poppers are still going strong over in Malaysia

Cheers, Paul

Hi Paul
Good to here that, haven't used one here over a year, fishing is really bad, except for carp.

Good luck on Wednesday Mike.

How close can you get?
It's hard to tell without seeing them, but they definitely sound like catchable carp. Winter time you can generally get away with something very bright like a magenta egg which will make it easier for you to track the fly.
Tailing/mudding fish generally want the fly right in close- 4inches in front and slightly on your side of the fish is generally best. the way to do it is cast beyond then drag and drop the fly ahead of the fish watch for it sucking the fly in then strip strike.

here's one of my favourite winter carp flies, it's just ice dub tied over a brass or tungsten bead depending on depth/flow