Well, Matt Snider cashed in good on the Winter Giveaway! I suggest every member take advantage of the great work that sponsors add to this site, including the editors. The Winter Giveaway is one of the best things and it is neat to see all who contribute through offering "guided" trips, mystery boxes, and sponsors that contribute gear, just so we can win something and have a great time.
This last year, I won a "guided" trip with our very own, Matt Snider. Matt and I have known each other for years, fished occasionally together, he and Dave Coulson toured the laboratory I worked in for 19 years, and we have had great conversations. Earlier this year, we tried to get together, but my schedule did not pan out. However, we were able to set a date and pound the nails in the coffin.
Site, Douglas Reservoir (or Douglass if you use the USGS map), target being carp on the fly, goal being to not be skunked. Anyone who has fished Douglas, knows that it can be like fishing the Delaney Buttes, there are on and off days, consistency is difficult, and the fish have their own agenda.
We got started around 6:00 am at the dock, went over some basics and the game plan. I was using Matt's fly rods, so I had to get accustomed to his equipment. The bait was his very own carp slider. We hit a few spots around the lake that Matt had noted fish and structure, with not much success. However, Matt will have to go back to get the "one that got away." While we were conversing and Matt was teaching me, he had an unexpected hit, that we both think was a wiper, but took off with a new piercing.
Matt is an experienced fly fisher, so while I was learning to be accustomed with his equipment, he was teaching me how to put more power into my fly casts. Unfortunately, I'm not as coordinated as I used to be and habits are hard to break, but I tried. I now have something to work on later. :) Eventually, we got around to spotting open water carp. I have never seen carp do some of things I observed on Friday. We chased carp and Matt put me on them. We would get within my casting distance and we both would chant "eat! eat! eat!" or "bite! bite! bite!". Eventually, I hooked into one and did it take me for a ride! The thrill of catching carp came rushing back, the runs, the fight, and enjoying it with good company. Soon, the first fish was landed. We got the fly out, took a pic, and released it for another day. Matt and I continued to watch/ scout for carp. Soon we found a large pod of carp, eating just under the surface. It was only a matter of minutes before I had fish number two on, with the fight to go along with it. Matt had another rig and we were hoping for a double (there were enough carp for a triple, quadruple, or one for everybody on the lake that day). Our chants fell on deaf ears and the carp did not comply. But I got fish two in the boat, a tad smaller, but we got a measurement, over 24". What a blast! With captain Matt back at it, we scouted again and found some more. This time Matt hooked into one. He brought it in, we got it netted and the fly revealed a perfect hook set.
Matt also wanted to hit some additional spots and with clousers, pulled out a smallie.
Weather was good, not always cooperative, with the W being sometimes difficult. However, we had a good day. Kept off the skunk, I got a couple of carp on the fly, and we managed a multi-species fish day.
With a renewed desire to fish (has been a couple of years for me to wet a line), I'm excited to get back into the sport!
Thanks Matt for a wonderful time. Next time, I'll bring my own fly rod. :D
FS
