Another one for the 4 wt. "giant killer"...

As a dyed-in-the-wool blue collar fisherman who tries to fish Monday to Friday, I generally leave the weekend waters to those who help to keep the economy running. Today I got that unbearable itch again and just had to throw the 4 wt in the trunk and head off to fish my home waters. This generally means fishing one of a half dozen drainages that flow into the Assiniboine between Headingley and St. Eustache, at least until dropping water levels allow me to fly fish the main channel.

16.25" goldeye

Today I was after goldeye and the fish did not disappoint me. I only fished a few hours but managed a number of them; biggest was a really nice goldeye just over 16 inches.

Of course with a 4 wt. larger carp were out of the question and although I saw the odd one I deliberately avoided them. That is until I saw THE GIANT. A carp I estimated to be around 34 to 36 inches long cruised to within reach of my fly and before I could mentally process this picture instinct prevailed and a short cast plopped the spider down a few inches from it's nose. The take was instantaneous, but a wild head shake coupled with a wilder hook set left the carp to swim away and ponder what was hanging from his nose. If only I had been fishing my 8 wt.

27 inch carp on a 4 wt. fly rod

The next carp that swam by got the same treatment except this time I was prepared. A lighter hook set and a patient fight that lasted the better part of 15 minutes resulted in a nice 27 inch carp coming to net. So now this diminutive but powerful 4 wt. has not only a 32" channel cat to it's credit but also a 27" carp. Not bad for a pipsqueak! Not what I would necessarily recommend as the proper rod to land carp but hey, might as well go with what works. I also landed a few small pike and a nicely coloured shorthead red horse sucker.