Carp Fishing at Henshaw

[Andystub]

Excited that the forum is back up and wanted to engage and see how it works. I am going to be up near Lake Henshaw on Sunday and want to try and spend the morning fishing for some carp there. Just wanted to see if anyone would be willing to give up some intel/advice for targeting carp from the shore/wading. Just wondering if there is better spots than other or recommended flies. I have only been carp fishing once at Henshaw and spent a lot of time walking and never was able to spot one. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Neuroshima]

Follow the wind. Season might be a little early and cold for top water carp action, but the lake is susceptible to high winds (hence no kayaks) which can create scum trails on the surface that the carp feed on. If that materializes, follow the wind to where the scum is collecting and look for cloopers.
Cast a small dry fly, size 14 or less.

If no surface action, look for shadows, bubble trails, movement of submerged vegetation, and drag and drop a weighed fly, nymph or worm. Probably darker colors sink the water is usually stained.

I'm partial to a clockwise route, but that might be because the wind was pushing north. There are a large boulders to the north, past the dam, that can be good spots to perch on and sight cast. There is a stream that feeds the lake in the north east that can also be a good spot, for carp and bass.

[Joshmo62]

Fished there this morning. Super challenging because the lake level rose so much that finding the fish became more difficult. Got a carp and a bass on a simple John Montana hybrid fly with a pink squirmy wormy tail.

[Tubefly]

I am planning to go myself - question on the hours at Henshaw - 8am to 8pm - can you buy a permit online the day before?

So Moreno, Henshaw or Hodges - looking to get into this spring (flyfishing for carp)
Anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks

[Joshmo62]

Lake Henshaw supposedly opens at 7 am but regularly the worker’s there don’t get to the resort store that sells the permits until 7:30 or later. Also, the credit card machine has been broken multiple times in the past so bring cash just in case. The hours of the lake on google doesn’t match the actual hours for week days… I believe the lake is closed Tuesdays.

[Tubefly]

Thanks
So Henshaw is a good choice?

[Tubefly]

Follow the wind. Season might be a little early and cold for top water carp action, but the lake is susceptible to high winds (hence no kayaks) which can create scum trails on the surface that the carp feed on. If that materializes, follow the wind to where the scum is collecting and look for cloopers.
Cast a small dry fly, size 14 or less.

If no surface action, look for shadows, bubble trails, movement of submerged vegetation, and drag and drop a weighed fly, nymph or worm. Probably darker colors sink the water is usually stained.

I'm partial to a clockwise route, but that might be because the wind was pushing north. There are a large boulders to the north, past the dam, that can be good spots to perch on and sight cast. There is a stream that feeds the lake in the north east that can also be a good spot, for carp and bass.

Question - you mention size 14 flies - are you trying to match anything in particular, or could I throw a small hopper pattern and have equal success? Thanks

[Neuroshima]

Follow the wind. Season might be a little early and cold for top water carp action, but the lake is susceptible to high winds (hence no kayaks) which can create scum trails on the surface that the carp feed on. If that materializes, follow the wind to where the scum is collecting and look for cloopers.
Cast a small dry fly, size 14 or less.

If no surface action, look for shadows, bubble trails, movement of submerged vegetation, and drag and drop a weighed fly, nymph or worm. Probably darker colors sink the water is usually stained.

I'm partial to a clockwise route, but that might be because the wind was pushing north. There are a large boulders to the north, past the dam, that can be good spots to perch on and sight cast. There is a stream that feeds the lake in the north east that can also be a good spot, for carp and bass.

Question - you mention size 14 flies - are you trying to match anything in particular, or could I throw a small hopper pattern and have equal success? Thanks

In general, I fish small flies for carp, size 10-14, maybe size 8 if there are bigger fish around. They tend to be more receptive to grazing on small nymphs than chasing down larger prey.

Your success will increase exponentially if you find fish actively feeding, face down, a$$ up. Cast past the fish, then immediately lift your rod tip to bring the fly across the surface, then let it drop a few inches in front of its face. It will think it's a bug that was kicked up and trying to escape. If they're not feeding, just sunning, or worse, cruising, it will be more challenging to get them to eat.

[Tubefly]

Thanks again - sounds like the "drag and drop" videos I have been studying

[Tubefly]

Went to Moreno today - what a difference - saw almost no carp compared to Henshaw last week -