Hitting the reservoir by 11:15am, I was set for a lengthy day of fly fishing and bowfishing. The fish weren’t interested in my flies, but I also couldn’t find a carp to shoot at.
Where’d they go?
Eventually I explored a new cove and saw a big carp coming towards the shoreline from deeper water.
I crouched down, prepared my bow, and as the fish swam by me around 10-feet out, I stood and took the shot.
Bullseye!
The carp took off and ended up wrapping itself around a thick piece of vegetation. It was a thick-stalked plant of some sort that had grown the prior year. I tried pulling the 150lb test line, but the vegetation wouldn’t budge. Not a bit.
So, I decided I’d need to wade in to get the fish. I didn’t want to soak my boots and pants, so I walked back up to my vehicle to get my sandals and a t-shirt (to dry my legs and feet), and then walked back down to the cove.
It was a hike, and good exercise. My heart was pumping at a good rate.
I took my boots and socks off, rolled up my pants, and waded up to my knees. Grabbing the plant, I had to pull with force to gain on it. Suddenly the carp bolted and somehow unwound itself.
Serendipity!
I walked back onto the shoreline, reeled the fish in, and took a couple pictures.
I’ve been trying to aim a little more carefully lately, which is to say I’ve been lining my eyes up with the arrow a little more closely.
This was my second shot of the day, and it seemed there was going to be plenty of action after all.
But, things slowed. I didn’t see another carp within shooting distance for quite a while.
My new Filson/Dagger hiking boots have been performing spectacularly well the last two days. I used to slip and slide regularly on the loose gravel and rocks, considering the shorelines are mostly angled, but not today. Zero slipping.
It’s not that these boots have exceptional grip, it’s more that my other boots and shoes have near zero grip.
I ended up patrolling one of my favorite spots along a peninsula, when I saw a big carp cruising parallel to the shore.
The thing is, it was about 30-35 feet away, and about 6-12 inches below the surface. It was a long shot—one I normally wouldn’t even take.
But, I took the shot and connected!
The carp bolted for the depths, carrying my arrow with it. Just a few seconds later, my arrow came out.
I was thrilled that I’d connected with a cruising carp at that distance, but slightly disappointed I wouldn’t land the fish.
My theory is that, at that distance, my arrow didn’t have enough power to punch completely through the fish. My bow’s draw weight was set at 35lbs at Oneida, but it can go up to 55lbs. I think I’ll increase the poundage to 40-45lbs soon to see how that feels and performs.
While I didn’t get many shots off today—I took maybe eight all day—I did connect twice.
There were quite a few lizards out today, including western fence, western whiptail, and my first Mojave collared lizard! I’m really looking forward to seeing my first horned lizard.
It was a fun day on the water, just not a lot of action.
