Fishing for carp is a blast on a fly rod. They fight like a freight train, and often take fly anglers into their backing. Carp are also quite spooky fish. In most situations they require careful stalking and light presentations as to not spook them. These traits combine to make carp a challenging and worthy sport fish. There’s a large number of carp flies that have been designed specifically for targeting these amazingly fun fish.
When looking for carp, you typically want to look for carp nose-down and tail up. This means they’re actively feeding, and will take a fly much more readily than carp swimming swiftly around, or basking. I’m not saying suspending carp will never take a fly, just that they’re typically much less eager. Carp do sometimes feed at the surface as well, often on floating insects or floating pieces of fruit.
The flies below are some great fly patterns for targeting carp. There are also some carp fishing tips for beginners and more advanced fly anglers alike in the description. I’ve been careful to give credit to the tyer where ever possible.
Carp Diem 2.0
I really like this fly. It has alot going on, flash, hackle, and hotspot all combine to make a very effective carp fly.
Foam Corn Fly
This pattern is a very simple imitation of a kernal of corn. Corn is a commonly used bait for carp used by bait anglers, so why wouldn’t carp go after a corn fly? I found the pattern on the Youtube channel CapTMlures. That link will bring you to the tying video for this fly, the video also has tying instructions for a bread crumb fly as well. The bead crumb fly also looks really good.
Unnamed carp fly #1
The headstand style fly patterns are great for making presentations right on the bottom in front of feeding carp. Give the fly a few twitches to make it bounce along the bottom, and grab a carps attention. Tied on a size 6 hook.
McTage’s Leather Trouser Worm
Worm patterns are effective on most species of fish, and carp are no exception. The zonker tail wiggles tantalisingly in the water as you make a slow presentation directly infront of the carps feeding lane. Works especially well when fly fishing for carp in ponds and other slow moving/still bodies of water. Can be tied with either rabbit zonker srip or a pine squirrel zonker strip.
The Rust Bug Carp Fly
This is an original pattern from “The Fly Guy”, who’s website can be found over at www.tfgflies.com. He’s a avid fly angler, fly tyer, and guide who offers custom fly patterns for sale on his website.
Mulberrie Fly
Carp are omnivores, and feed on plant matter such as berries in addition to insects. This mulberry pattern is certainly unique. The brightly coloured stem works as a hotspot, while still being an accurate imitation of the berry.
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Pink pop-up worm
These are a cool variant on the san juan worm pattern, tweaked to target carp. It has the weighted dumbbell eyes that are so common with carp flies, in addition to a very visible red hotspot. I imagine these flies would catch any fish that hangs out near the bottom, looks like a good fly for fishing multi species water.
The Carrot
It’s nice to see a modern pattern incorporating soft hackle. The material is so wonderfully buggy, and mimics the legs and attena of real aquatic insects very well. A simple but effective fly pattern.
Rubber Worm Carp Fly
This pattern aims to feel as natural as possible. The goal is to lengthen the amount of time a carp will hold the fly in its mouth. It’s lightly weighted, and was designed to be used with an indicator. It’s an ideal pattern for fly fishing for carp in rivers, and other bodies of water with a current. The bead in the middle gives a nice highlight to the fly that mimics a natural worm.
Carp-it Bomb
The marabou and sili-legs give this nymph fly lots of moment that is sure to grab a carp’s attention. Good fly pattern choice for imitating crayfish, or large nymphs such and damselflys.
Tattle Tail
This is one slick looking carp fly. Sleek, shiny, and with lots of wiggle, I have no doubt this girl will land you lots of fish. The hot spot is so high and visible.
Carp Caterpillar
I know dry flies are not the norm for targeting carp, but they do work. This is a foam caterpillar pattern with organza ribbing. A great pattern for targeting carp that are feeding on the surface.
Rabbit Strip Crayfish Carp Fly
This is a pretty simple pattern to tie. Three rabbit zonker strips, some rubber legs, dumbbell eyes, and a bit of dubbing and you’re done. Great imitation of a fleeing crayfish to strip past feeding carp.
Unnamed Carp Flies #2
A batch of unnamed carp flies tied up. Some have marabou, some have soft hackle, all have rubber legs. This is a heavy fly pattern than will get down to the bottom quick.
Krazy Carper
Bunny strips are effective on all fish, and carp are no exception. This pattern is versatile as it can be stripped in front of the carp like a streamer, or bounced along the bottom like a crayfish. It’s also a very easy carp flies to tie.
Freestyle Carp Fly
Sili-legs are so effective on carp. The combination of buggy fibers and lots of legs is a winning combination.
Loco Moco
This is more of an attractor pattern than a pattern intended to mimic a specific food item for carp. The flash, movement, and buggiess of the fly make it a good choice in murky water conditions.
Rubber-Legged Dragon
The rubber-legged dragon was designed by Carter Nelson. The profile, soft hackle, and rubber legs gives the fly lots of movement in the water. Try stripping it like a streamer or nymphing it either czech style or under an indicator.
Montana’s Hybrid Carp Fly
This is a pattern from Tim Cammisa’s Youtube Channel. It’s an easy carp fly to tie, with only a few materials, and is a very effective pattern.
That’s it for this selection of great carp flies. Basically anything that resembles a crayfish, big nymphs (damselfy, dragonfly, hellgrammite, etc) or other bottom dwelling prey items will work. Dumbbell eyes are obviously a favourite to use in carp fly patterns to reduce the likely hood of getting hooked on the bottom. Just try to resist fly fishing for koi in the local koi pond with these fly patterns! If all else fails, throw on a woolly bugger!
If I have incorrectly credited a fly please let me know and I’ll be happy to give the original fly tyer the proper credit.
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