How to Get Started in Carp Fishing, with Rick Mikesell

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

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8d ago 1:43:37

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I offer no apologies for being a carp evangelist. They live almost anywhere, they are here to stay (they were stocked in many places in North America even before brown trout), and they are the hardest-fighting fish in fresh water. They are also fascinating creatures that can be a challenge to catch—which is why most of us fish with a fly rod. Rick Mikesell [49:05] of Denver is one of the best carp anglers I know and a terrific teacher and he gives us a great introduction on how to pursue these worthwhile fly-rod targets. In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting requests, including many questions about leaders and tippet.

What fly line should I use on my Helios 2 rod for dry-fly fishing?
What can I do to prevent my tippet from kinking?
What can you do when small stream trout refuse your fly?
I have been using heavier tippet and seem to be doing just as well as with lighter tippet. What is your take on this?
Is there a big difference between various brands of tippet material?
Can I just add a tippet ring to my 9-foot 4X leader to make a nymph leader?
Should the butt section of my nymph leader be made from fluorocarbon?
What should I take on a multi-day fishing trip that I would not normally think of?
Why am I foul-hooking so many trout and whitefish this year?
What do you think of furled leaders?
What rod should I get for my 8-year-old daughter? What rig should I start her out with?
What do you think of Crocs as inexpensive wading shoes?
What can you tell me about an older Orvis rod I purchased?
How can I tighten the drag on an older spring-and-pawl fly reel?
What is the deal with all these multi-fly rigs? Am I missing something by using a single fly?
Do people fish for trout with poppers?
Do I need sinking agents as well as flotants?
At the end of my drift I stripped in a dry fly and got strikes. Should I change my setup and move my flies a bit?

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