Stalking winter carp

When fishing for carp, especially during cold weather it is important to bring carp into the area you
intend to fish.  I do this by pre feeding carp for several days.  Yes, I feed carp for several days
in late fall or winter when I fish in ponds and lakes.

I like to use simple foods that carp have been attracted to historically.  Corn, oatmeal, and bread
are the least expensive when bought  in large amounts.  A mix made of one can of corn and one
container of oatmeal or bread crumbs, mixed with some water, is a feed that will draw carp into the area
you want to fish.  Add just enough water so that the mixture clumps together when squeezed and forms
 a ball.  Let the feed balls air dry for about five minutes before throwing into the lake.  It is important
 to select places that have a history of carp activity.

After three or four days of feeding the carp you should have a loyal following swimming in your spot.
Now there may be a few of you who are reading this and think this is cheating.  But remember, this
process does not and will not  create a "slam dunk" for catching carp.

It is not unusual to find that for whatever reason carp will still not be in a feeding mode even after
you've dumped corn and bread all over the lake.   Late fall and winter fishing for carp is different and
can be difficult.  Stealth, accuracy and patience are still part of the carp fishing equation.

Wagner's Cove is being restored.  The restored version will permit fishing and seating.

Conventional carp fishers\have a wide assortment of artificial baits  that are used to catch carp.
I've been experimenting with some of these tools.

Some of these artificial baits can be used when fishing with fly rods or ultra light spinning gear.
I recommend these baits when it is not possible to fish for carp due to off colored or brown
water.

Chum mix

First winter carp.  Air temp was 70F.

Merry Christmas

I was able to get out this afternoon and fish for "winter carp".  Air temp was above 60F all day!
Using artificial corn, I hooked 4 but only landed one.  Hooks may be too small.

Crappie fly fishing

It rained all day but the air temperature stayed above 55F.  I used an old Fenwick 6 wt, fiberglass
and the JMC Ozone semi automatic fly reel.  Outside it wasn't that bad.  The rain was neither
steady nor heavy but enough to make you wet if you didn't wear some Gore Tex.

The last time I fished this rod I had it set up for fall fishing.  In the fall I like to fish two flies.
each fly is about eighteen inches apart on a fluorocarbon tippet.  I have found this to be a good way
to catch panfish.  My buddy Dennis ties these little silver things.  I think it is a size #14.

Here is an epoxy fly I picked up on e Bay.  I fish it when I think minnows are the food of choice.
Crappie have been active lately and they like minnows.

This a photo I took from the boat deck in front of the boat house while it rained.