We Currier’s could get used to this Arizona living during the winter months. We love hot weather and sunshine. Toss in easy walking fishing in shorts and flip flops and the only thing that would make it perfect is if the fish were big and tough to catch. Bingo! Grass carp can be a pain in the butt to fool with a fly! This is the winter place for us!
Friend Gentry Smith suggested poking around Scottsdale, Arizona canals today hoping for better water clarity then we had yesterday. We suspected it had to be better being we had nothing but sunshine and no rain since yesterday. But unfortunately, the water running through Phoenix comes from the overflowing lakes throughout the state and snow melting in the mountains. The water continues to gush and the canals won’t be clearing up or warming up while we’re here.
Nonetheless, my girl got it done today. I mean done. Fishing was like yesterday where you had to pick an area of water and watch closely for a grass carp to appear near the surface. The silly looking fish don’t hang there long so it takes a quick cast with the green hopper right on the fish’s nose.
photo by Gentry Smith
The three of us were doing it and for an hour we had a lot of shots. I had several fish eat but they are so hard to hook. You really need to let them take the fly deep enough the hook can catch a lip. I finally landed a dink but as I was releasing it Granny was calling to Gentry and me. She had one on.
photo by Gentry Smith
By the time Gentry and I got there she had her fish tired and ready for the net. Netting the carp was a balancing act for me on the edge of the canal. It’s about the last body of water I wanted to fall into. After a couple tries I finally managed to get the fish in the net. Then it was all I could do to lift him up on the deck. We got him and I’m might proud of my Granny today. She out fished Gentry and me.
Fishing only lasted until 2 today because Granny and I bought tickets to the Rockies vs Cubs spring training game at Salt River Fields tonight. If you read this blog you know we love our live baseball – the whole event – not just the game. We wandered there three hours before the game for beer and food.
The best thing about Spring Training is you can get close to the players. John Lester started tonight for the Cubs and we watched him warm up from about ten feet away. It was very cool. The game on the other hand, not so good. We can only hope the Cubs play better in a week when the games count!
It’s back to the grass carp in the morning. Stay tuned!
Sun, Carp-in and baseball… your are in Currier Heaven.. great read
A dang nice rest after the Africa runs!
Way to go Granny!!!