Lightning - it's not worth the risk !

from my latest article at www.fishexplorer.com;

I was out fishing yesterday morning, had not been at the lake long, when I could hear thunder in the distance. A few minutes later a flash of lightning lit up the sky, no rain had fallen at my location yet. I was fishing with my usual long 13 ft rods. I decided that it was not worth the risk and packed up for the day and headed home. I was disappointed to only have gotten in a brief few hours yet safety must always come first.

Next to me was a family, 2 adults, 2 young kids. They continued fishing as the storm closed in. I was at a loss for words in the sanity of their actions. Perhaps they wisely also decided to call it a day and seek shelter after I had left ? Lets hope so.

Lightning strikes kill on average a hundred or so people each year, time times that number survive, leaving many with lifelong injuries and disabilities. Colorado is a hot spot for lightning and two tourists were recently killed in RMNP.

Lightning can strike 10-15 mile from the storm. If you can hear the thunder, or if you can see the flash and the bolt, then you are within range of any lightning the storm produces – simple as that !

If you are out on the water, and you are hearing thunder, that should be an indicator to head to land and shelter.

Do not wait for the lightning to be blasting around you before you decide to call it quits – by then, it could be too late!

If you are caught out in the open on land.

- STOP fishing
- Avoid open fields
- Stay away from tall isolated trees.
- Get away from the water
- If your car is nearby, take shelter, avoid touching the metal.
- A tent, BIVVY, umbrella, is not a safe shelter

(I have sheltered under my umbrella in the past, not smart!)

If you are caught out on the open on water in a small open boat.

- Drop anchor and stay as low as possible
- STOP fishing and waving those lightning rods about!

Wait at least 30 minutes until the last roll of thunder before considering it safe to be back outside in the open if you must continue to fish.

This simple blog does not even cover flash flooding, for all those who love to fish our rivers and streams. Given recent weather here in Colorado, consideration should be given not only to where you are fishing, but what the weather is doing upstream/river from you – many miles away!

We all love fishing, we all love being outdoors, but please, do so safely.

Tight-Lines,
John

Between the Planets - "Pay it Forward's!"

From my FishExplorer.COM article

Between the Planets


In the 1951 book, “Between Planets”, by Robert A. Heinlein, the phrase, “Pay it Forward’s” was popularized. Sixty years later I try to live by this philosophy in my fishing endeavors.

When I first returned to fishing, a few years ago, there were many who gave to me their personal time and shared their wisdom and knowledge so that I might be more successful in my endeavors. Never did they ask for anything in return except that I post a few pictures of my carp captures for them to see and in turn share the knowledge with others when the opportunity presented. Often all I needed was but a pointer in the right direction and a virtual "pat" upon the back when things went well.

Just recently I have had the honor of taking others with me on my “Quest for Carp”. The only thing I’ve asked of them is that they take what they have learned and “pay it forward to some other brother who needs it". Thus the knowledge and passion are shared and the legacy continues and spirals outward.

We all have valuable insight, wisdom, experience and knowledge, from the novice angler to the seasoned professional. None of us want to give up that favorite honey hole or irresistible bait, nobody expects you to (well, perhaps some do!). However, take a just minute from your busy day to help someone with their angling passion, a hint, a tip, a bit advice or simply just some words of encouragement – you have probably spent longer already reading this blog!

Tight-Lines,
John
CarpQuest

Rattlesnakes & Carp

It has been many months since I was able to get a session in on the bank with Chris (C-DOG). Our last trip together, to Pueblo Reservoir, had ended with a spectacular dust storm, 50 mph winds and the destruction of my new HD camcorder from dust in the internal mechanism's. Tumbleweeds were flying through the air and we finally had to take cover behind our car to avoid injury!

We both had an afternoon to spare and decided once again to head back down to Pueblo to see if we could finally get some fish on action together!

We drove down to Pueblo in my new car; well, not so new, it's a 1999 4-runner that has been heavily modified for "expedition" and "off-road" use.

The banks around this venue can be steep, rock strewn with many deep ruts. Previous drives across this terrain in my wife's Lexus RX300 likely contributed to it's downfall !





Arriving just before noon Pueblo was a packed madhouse of people, cars, boats, jet-ski's, off leash dogs and children splashing in the water. This was "father's day" weekend and it should have been no surprise to us that our usual fishing spots were taken.

Driving around the edges of the reservoir we were finally able to find a clear spot. The area looked good being just on the inside edge of a sheltered bay with the wind blowing in towards us.

There was a "fence" to our right and no other anglers close by to our left.



Whilst setting up the gear I was curious when "carp dog" Raven was suddenly obsessed with in a nearby stick She was almost touching it with her nose - tail wagging happily! I had walked past that "stick" a few minutes earlier, likely almost stepped on it with my bare feet in but a pair of crocs. On closer investigation, to my horror, I realized "that's no stick", it was a rattlesnake !!!

I removed the serpent from our area. Thankfully Raven and I avoided being bitten. So darn close to total disaster. If Raven had not been on a short leash to me, I would not like to imagine the outcome of this encounter!

We finally finished setting up and took a brief respite beneath the sport-brella; it was a hot and sunny 90F with a warm wind blowing in. No sooner had my backside touched the chair when we observed Park Ranger boat heading directly towards us.

The inevitable doom occurred, though I tried to 'wave" the boat away from our lines it did no good. The boat came right into the shore, parked up to our right, the prop sucking in both my lines and spooling off a good 50+ yards of line before the engine was cut. I was fortunate the bait runners were on lest my rods had followed the line into the prop of "death" and been sliced to bits!

Our fishing licenses checked, a few unhappy words with the officials, and they were back on their way - well, on their way after I helped cut the line from their prop and pushed them back out into open water as they were literally "beached" in the shallows!

The carp "gods" favored me mid-afternoon and I was rewarded with 3 captures, in just over an hour, a 15'6 common, a 9'10 common and finally an feisty 8 lb common.

Sadly Chris was not so fortunate. It appeared that the carp were travelling into the bay from that right hand edge and encountering my baits first. We did swap sides towards the end of the session but it was too little too late. A powerful storm front moved into the area with winds gusting to 40+ mph or more. With flashes of lightning in the distance it was time to pack up and head home.

Here is the video we took of the session.

Hope you enjoy !
Tight-Lines,

John
CarpQuest

Take a Kid Carping - 2014

June is TAKC "Take a Kid Carping" month for the Carp Anglers Group.

To honor of this event, I had the privilege to take Casey, Brittany and their 4 yr old son, Brayden, out carp fishing for their first time. Casey had written to me earlier in the year to ask if I could take his son our fishing so he could see a carp up close and personal !

I chose Chatfield Reservoir, CO, as the destination. This venue had provided some great days fishing last year. If there was anyone to get a carp on the the bank for the young lad, this would be it.

So, how did we do ?

Casey banked his first carp, and the biggest of the session, a fine 13 lb 8 oz common. I landed 3 more commons, all low doubles. Though we did not manage to catch a carp "as big as Brayden", we sure tried for the young lad. His enthusiasm was quite infectious.

Casey went on to take Brayden out again carp fishing over the following days and week and they had some real fine captures.

I had the opportunity to meet and fish with a wonderful family.

Brayden was able to get up close and personal with some big fish. He did appear quite pleased with our captures!

So to all of you, get out there, and "Take a Kid Carping"

Heck, just take a kid fishing, it's worth it, to see the beaming smile upon their face!

Here was the video of that session, hope you enjoy !

Tight-Lines,
John
CarpQuest

An Unexpected Meeting

from my fishexplorer.com article;

You just never know who you may bump into on the bank side.

I headed up to Chatfield Reservoir on Wednesday, 5/27/14, the first long distance run for my new (1999 4-runner), the "carp mobile". I was planning to meet up with a young lad from the Carp Anglers Group. He was interested in learning about carping with "bait" rather than "on the fly". Alas, due to a last minute schedule change for him, he wasn't able to make it. I almost cancelled the trip.

However, for the CarpQuest, and the lure of Chatfield, I just had to head up there.

As it turned out I was not to fish alone this day. Whilst walking Raven, my carp-dog pup, down the bank I met up with old familiar face from FXR, Jacob. He was already there, on the shoreline, both rods out and had been fishing since the morning without much success.

Fishing is always better with a friend. So after a bit of a chat, some introductions to my "psycho" puppy, I setup just down the shore from him - making sure we both had enough room so as not to get tangled if we got fish-on.

We didn't have to wait long before the carp action was ON. I banked a couple of commons, 10'12 and 14'6,

Jacob followed up with a pair for himself, both around the 10 lb mark. Jacob had another real nice ~12 lb'er mid-afternoon.











The next few hours we both had our fair share of miss-adventures with fish-on, fish-off, a couple in particular right before they were at the net - sometimes carping is not so easy!

Just before 5 pm, as I was about to pack up for the long drive home, I had a nice run and landed my 3rd of the session, an 8 lb common - before that was even in the net, my 2nd rod had real a screamer and the best fish of the day, a real chunky 18 lb common, was banked.







All told, we landed 7 carp, lost maybe 4 or 5 between us. It was a great afternoon, doubly so, as I got the opportunity to fish with an old friend I hadn't seen since an early session last year. We shared the highs and the lows of fishing together that day. I also finally managed to get some carp on film again for CarpQuest.

 It would have been easy for me just to cancel my trip when I found out my intended partner for the day wouldn't be able to make it. I am so glad I did not and chose to make the drive up to Chatfield yesterday. It was an unexpected meeting with an old friend and a chance for us to fish together again.

So get out there, rods in hand, you just will never know you may meet up with.

Here is the video I took of the session.

Don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel, www.youtube.com/johnfinneycarping to keep up with all the latest episodes as they are published.

Tight-Lines,

John

CarpQuest Youtube: www.youtube.com/johnfinneycarping
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carpquest
Twitter: @finneycarpquest

Everything is better with Friends

CarpQuest is all about having fun and, most of all, fishing with friends.

On a chilly early morning I took a trip to Pikeview Reservoir, Colorado Springs, to fish with James. Arriving just before dawn I got setup, drank that first morning cup of java and waited to see what the light of day would bring.

Since the start of the season we had yet to put a carp upon the bank together. The sweet corn had not gotten the quick action of the past year and it was time to change something. So, rather than fish my usual sweet corn and panko/oats pack bait, I decided to go with something different, some NGT tiger nuts.

James arrived an hour or so later. We both had other commitments later in the morning so this was really going to be a very quick session. Fortunately I had seen a few carp jumping and rolling out on the water earlier. I was initially fishing both to the left and right of the spot. It was a coin flip, should James fish to the left, or the right? Both had showing fish. I volunteered the right side and James setup quickly and got his baits cast out.

The session was brought to life when James had a great fast run and soon after banked a fine 18 lb 12 oz grass carp. He was a very "Happy" man to say the least. Well done James !

This was the first carp banked together for the "carp crew" of the season. James had to depart again soon afterwards and by 9am I also had to head for home. It really was a lightning quick session, only a few hours. Though I had not put one in the net for myself I was so happy to see James holding up his prized capture. All in all, a successful outing to Pikeview !

You can see the video of our session here.

Tight-Lines,
John
CarpQuest

Replicas - almost as good as the real thing!

from my fishexplorer,com article;

Recently I was talking to colleague of mine who is an avid hunter. The topic of conversation drifted, as it usually does, to the merits of catch and release fishing. This is often a great debate. On one side is the desire of the “trophy” hunter to preserve his glorious catch forever. On the other, the conscientious angler, who advocates for preserving the ever diminishing trophy fish resources the future.

As you can imagine, it was not a dull conversation!

One topic we did at least agree upon was that over the past few decades the fish taxidermy industry has changed significantly. Fiberglass technology now means there is no longer a need for a trophy fish capture to be kept to create a lifelike replica at a later date. A reproduction can be created from but a photograph or detailed description. Ironically this was a topic I had been researching having recently stumbled across some very lifelike photographs of fish replicas online and reading a few other forum posts.

There does appear to be some common problems that occur with the traditional “skin mount” fish reproductions, especially with regard to their longevity over time. Some of these issues are reported as shrinkage of the skin, discoloration of the paint, brittle fins that snap or fall off, lifting and peeling of scales, nefarious odor and finally in the worst cases, degradation of the product to where it appears more akin to a decaying “zombie” than your once remembered prized trophy fish!

A fiberglass reproduction in theory should be far more durable, able to withstand hot, cold, humid and dry climates and should never shrink or deteriorate. The paintwork should not fade and be easy to maintain and clean. The cost of the final reproduction appears to be comparable with the traditional taxidermy “skin mount”.

Fiberglass replicas are made from a cast taken from a base mold. This is then finished and painted. There are mass market molds, and fully finished replicas available, for a multitude of given species and sizes, both saltwater and freshwater. However these mass market replica’s will not be your actual trophy individual fish, they are but a representation of the species, size and sometimes sex. For the angler who desires that true to life reproduction of their own capture then custom replicas can be made.

A taxidermist creates a mold specifically to resemble your actual fish, down to the texture of skin, scales, fins and final pose. This is a very time consuming and difficult task and only a skilled taxidermist will be able to provide the quality of work required. To produce the custom replica you will be asked to provide a photograph of the fish and a description. The more accurate the photo the better the reproduction, take pictures of the fish in three sections, from tail to mid-section, full mid-section and mid-section to head. Custom molds and finishing obviously cost far more than an off-the-shelf product. The labor, artistic skill and time required is considerable but the final result will be a replica that truly resembles your capture and will be worthy of that “trophy” mount.

In general, to form the replica, the custom mold is first thoroughly cleaned, then brushed with wax, to prevent any sticking. Gelcoat and fiberglass are applied to each section. A thick bead of fiberglass resin putty is pasted around the perimeter of each mold cavity. The mold is closed and clamped together. Once the putty has set the mold is opened to reveal the unfinished blank. The mouth section is cut open and expanding foam poured inside. Once dried the foam provides the base upon which to later sculpt and form fishes mouth.

Excess casting material is removed, seam lines sanded and the blank is sculpted to give the fish that perfect shape and lines. Glass eyes, fins and teeth are attached. The unfinished replica is given a coat of primer then a white base coat. It is then given the final paint job. It takes a true artist to apply the intricate details that pick up the colors, deep detail and highlights that make the finished replica appear so lifelike. Once pained the replica is given a protective polyurethane coat and the final work is ready to be displayed.

Each finished replica is a real work of art. There can be huge variances in the look of the final product. A high quality piece could appear more lifelike than a skin mount, whereas a lower quality product would look no better than a painted piece of plastic! The single most important part of the process is the final painting and the skill of the artist.

Though I would not personally want a replica of “CarpZilla” hanging in my family room I do highly respect and appreciate the true artistry into producing these amazing reproductions. Replicas are one alternative for the trophy hunter to view their prized capture, mounted and displayed on a shelf in their home and still promote sustainable catch and release fishing. Replicas may not be for everyone but they should at least be considered when you are holding that trophy capture in your hands and imagining it upon the shelf at home.

If you are interested in having a replica made for your trophy capture it would be worth investing the time in researching the taxidermist and artist first. Custom replicas are not cheap so ask to see some examples of their finished products, especially of the species you want reproducing.  

For the more financially frugal inclined, there is always another option. 

A camera, an enlarged photograph, a nice wooden frame. Also sits nicely upon the mantle!

I have included a couple of examples of carp replicas to demonstrate just what is possible. 

I would like to thank Replica's Inc. (www.fishreplicasinc.com), based here in Colorado, for their permission to include the photographs of some of their replicas and for their support of catch and release fishing.

From their own website they simply state, in response to a FAQ question,

"Can I get my actual fish mounted instead of getting a fish replica?"

While there are people out there who will taxidermy your actual fish, we no longer offer that service. We feel that the advantages of the fish replica outweigh any reason to mount the actual fish. One of the major benefits of a fish replica are that it will last forever, there is no shrinkage over time so you don't end up with a piece of "fish jerky" on your wall. We encourage catch and release when at all possible, so the fish replica allows a fisherman to still enjoy the trophy.

Let us all hope more anglers start to practice catch & release fishing in the future!

Tight-Lines,

John