Grass Carp Flies?

I have access to a large private pond that contains some toad Asian Grass Carp. These are sterile so I was told and planted to eliminate weed growth in the pond.

I tossed a bunch of stuff at them this weekend with no hook-ups. The patterns I used have caught carp in eastern wa, which I know is a different species.

Does anyone have any good patterns for these grass carp?
Thanks,
Brian

I hate you. I saw about a 4 footer yesterday and had to resist the urge to cast to it.

Wait until they mow around the area and then throw a grass fly. Or better yet, try chumming with some grass yourself then throw the grass fly. They are not called GRASS carp for nothing, they do eat grass as well as other aquatic plants. Grass carp are not nearly as omnivourous as our carp are so trying to persuade them to eat bugs will be tough. I do know that they can be persuaded to eat chironomids but my guess is they've taken green chironomids mistaking it for some form of plant matter. Throw something that looks plantish.

Ira..

I would advise contacting the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to check the regulations for private ponds. On public waters, you can not fish for grass carp (see page 30 of the reg book) :thumb:

I caught two before. One on #16 bead head, the other on white wooly bugger #12. Irafly is right, they eat grass, and they are difficult. My friend use fresh grass shoots as bait ... so chumming them might work.

Landon Mayer was skating grasshopper pattern in his video...

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll tie up some greenery similar to some milk fish flies I've seen.

As far as contacting the WDFW, I appreciate the heads up but don't think that will be necessary. This is a private pond, on private property, stocked by a private land owner. There is no public access.

OMG ur lucky grass carp are amazing
type in grass carp flie on you tube and there was one that some lady tied with boa yarn to cast in front of cruising fish either eating on or near the surface.
have fun and post pics if u hook into one
FTB95

mmmmm..... "My supper's on my line!"

When I was a grad student in fisheries at Auburn we did quite a bit of work with these critters. In China they are reported to reach upwards of 100 lbs. Biggest I've ever handled was close to 40. They are great at cleaning submerged aquatic plants in ponds but will raise hell with waterfowl habitat if not strictly controlled. They were also hell on the gonads when we were seining them out of the smaller ponds. They come out of the water like torpedos and would nail us. I've honestly witnessed them eating grass clippiings thrown into a very clean (no submerged plants) pond. On occasion they will strike a Rapala type plug but rare. I imagine it would be really tough to get one to take a fly but who knows. They aren't bad tasting but have tons of inter-muscular bones.

As for a fly, green or dark green copy of coontail or similar submerged weed ought to do it. I would fish it real slow.............

i think i saw one before that used a strip of dark green boa yarn or pseudo herl or something along with some green hackle or marabou around the front to look like hydrilla or milfoil or something.

I've caught several of these. They love the food pellets the commercial catfish growers use. Chum them in the same place for a few days until they get used to feeding there. Then tie yourself a fly from tan chenille the same size, shape, and color as the food pellet. If the lake has channel catfish and bluegills they will be there too. Good luck!!

The grass fly mentioned above.

Also try Rainy's boobie fly in olive

UC,
Thanks for the link and pics. I appreciate the other info as well.

Brian are you using a 10 weight rod for them?
If you get a hook-up you'll look like those
whalers hanging on to Moby Dick.

David

From a couple other boards, do not overlook the always stylish bread fly. Many grass carp are stocked in ponds that people frequent and will toss bread in to feed fish/ducks etc. If that is the case, you can sometimes get grassies to eat bread too.

if they don't eat that stupid bread fly use a treble hook and snag away

I caught a grass carp today, then it got a little weird...

that picture isnt even a grass carp. it looks to me like a species of buffalo(the fish not the mammal) and yes that is a awkward moment LOL

Hello, I fish on grass carp in the Netherlands with mullet flies, works very well.

Our home-owners association has a penchant for purchasing grass carp to feed the Eagles and Osprey in the neighborhood pond... after all they wouldnt want those unsightly weeds!
I've only caught one, and that was on a dry fly to a fish that was tucked up under an overhanging bush slurping something off the surface (repeatedly). I dont remember what the fly was.