APRIL 2017 • NEBRASKAland 57
the fish. I knew I might only get one
shot so I paused, kneeling in the reeds,
and waited for the perfect opportunity.
When the largest fish tipped to feed,
I made a cast three feet in front of it
and watched my fly slowly sink and
come to rest on the bottom. With one
lethargic swipe of its tail, the fish
moved towards my fly, leaving a wake
in the shallow water behind it. Time
slowed and my heart raced as the fish
inspected and then inhaled my fly. I
made a hard strip on the fly line and
came solid on what would be one of
the most memorable fish of my life – a
37-inch common carp.
O
Most people scoff at the idea of
fishing for carp. Tell them about fly
fishing for carp and they laugh and
ask if you're kidding. However, their
reputation as a trash fish is slowly
being challenged as more people
come to the realization that carp are
Ryan Sparks uses an assortment of flies
when fishing for carp throughout the
country.
FISH
ART
BY
JOE
TOMERELLI
GRASS CARP (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
are Missouri River residents and are
found in some reservoirs statewide.
SILVER CARP (Hypophthlmichthyes moli-
trix) have a smaller head and mouth than
the bighead.
COMMON CARP (Cyprinus carpio) are
found statewide.
T
he air was uncharacteristically
still, allowing the water to
settle into a tranquil glass sheet
pierced only now and again by the
tails of feeding fish. With near perfect
conditions, I spotted a group of fish
from nearly 100 yards away and began
my carefu l approach. Crouching as I
went, I made sure to stay below the
brush at the edge of the bank to hide
my movement and keep my shadow
off the water. When I came within 30
feet, I slowed my stalk and managed to
close another 10 feet without spooking
Ryan Sparks uses an assortment of flies
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
