Why you should go fishing for carp now!

[kiwarius]

as madfisher said. the taste of a carp depends on enviroment. i´m from europe and we do have a lot of carp waters here. if you fish in a muddy water you have to prepare the carp with a lot of spice and aromas to overcome the smell and taste of mud. but in a clear lake with gravel bottom its a very tasty fish.

also we do consider carp as a sportfish in europe. a 15-20kg carp can figth with you for more then 20minutes when you are fishing on 0,30mm line.

its sad that because of human mistake of introducing the fish to free waters in Australia, the fish is blamend. in my opinion every fish has its beauty and its not responsible for human decisions.

happy fishing for everyone.

[tubes]

I have heard that they are working on a virus that will kill the carp but no other fish. It is in the trial stages at the moment. Let's hope it will work.

[craka]

I have heard that they are working on a virus that will kill the carp but no other fish. It is in the trial stages at the moment. Let's hope it will work.

I remember viewing something stating exactly that.

[Old Paj]

Carp

Yes there was an article in the Weekly Times a few weeks ago indicating a virus has been identified that kills off carp very quickly. An outbreak in Japan (I think it said in 2005) killed off 70% of carp. It has apparently been under test for 8 years and is currently awaiting approval for closed trails in local waters from I think 4 separate government departments.

I think it said that once released it was expected that our streams and rivers would be carp free within 12 months.

My concern would be the millions of rotting carp around our rivers and what their effect would be on other things.

[kiwarius]

its great to hear that there is a "solution" for the habitat, to solve the problem with an introduced species. but I would be a bit concerned about it. because the most exciting thing about viruses is that they are able to mutate. just take a look at a very common flu.

[madfisher]

Firstly the kill off rate is estimated to be 80%, so it will be like rabbits slow them down but not remove them all together.
I to have concerns about firstly the roting carcases in water supplies, and the virus mutating and jumping species.
As flyfishers we are becoming very efficient at catching them and removing them from the system.
Yesterday I'm landed 9 on fly out of the beautifull Turon river up to 82cm and 16lb.

[my.paj]

Firstly the kill off rate is estimated to be 80%, so it will be like rabbits slow them down but not remove them all together.
I to have concerns about firstly the roting carcases in water supplies, and the virus mutating and jumping species.
As flyfishers we are becoming very efficient at catching them and removing them from the system.
Yesterday I'm landed 9 on fly out of the beautifull Turon river up to 82cm and 16lb.

If you dont mind, what fly's are you using? I have a fly rod and have done very little this may help me get used to it

[erad]

I have heard that they are working on a virus that will kill the carp but no other fish. It is in the trial stages at the moment. Let's hope it will work.

About 8 years ago, I helped a friend who contracts out Audio & Visual equipment and services for conferences. One of the trips we did was a marathon, covering over 12000 km in less than 20 days, including from memory 9 venues where we had to set up and after the event break up and travel to the next venue (not much time to see this wonderful country, but it was a good trip). One of the trips was all about Feral Pests. European Carp was one of the topics discussed.

At the time, they were gauging the extent of the problem. They found that the carp were breeding mainly in the Macquarrie marshes area of central West NSW, and up the Darling River. They had a fairly specific breeding season. The focus of the attack was going to be to hit them in the breeding areas, when they came there for that purpose. They were trialling fish traps of differing designs, and also the virus (Koi Herpes Virus) which was specific to the Carp, and not to the native fishes. They also were looking at genetic manipulation to produce daughterless fish so that the breeding could be controlled. Sadly, I don't have the latest information onany of these measures, but in 2008, they were all in their infancy. If you are interested, try looking up "Pestsmart" on google for the latest information.

At each of the shipping locks on the Murray, they have installed fish ladders to allow the native fish to migrate up and downstream as they wish, but to exclude Carp from the process. The theory was that native fish could jump up a 230 mm waterfall but the Carp could not (WRONG!). Anyway, they built the ladders at each of the barrages on the Murray, consisting of individual boxes with a Vee notch allowing water to flow down forom one box to the next. They have a mesh barrier at the top, where they can catch all the fish trying to migrate. They manually sort out the natives and Carp and dump the carp into a bin. This is really a token effort at Carp control, but at least is worth a try. Initially, they didn't cover the fish boxes, and the birds had a wonderful time feeding on the fish. They have now covered the ladders to stop this.

At Yarrawonga, instead of a fish ladder, they have a fish lift. This is a vertical shaft, with a gate at the top and bottom of the shaft. They close off the bottom gate and let the water fill the shaft. A grille floor is then raised and any fish in the lift are brought to the top. Again, Carp are invited to enter a wheelie bin whilst the native fish are allowed to pass through into the reservoir. Apparently a few years ago, a large Murray Cod took up residence in the lift shaft. He rode up & down for a few weeks, quietly ambushing anything which came into the lift shaft. Eventually he too was lifted out of the shaft and placed into the reservoir to continue his feeding as he should have been doing.

[Ausdigga]

Another use for carp!

When locals catch carp and wonder what to do with them I offer to get rid of them, and I do , in my veggie patch where I intend growing pumpkins ,we get up to 24 Queensland blues off one vine ( verified ) Try it if you grow your own.

[Dicko1]

When locals catch carp and wonder what to do with them I offer to get rid of them, and I do , in my veggie patch where I intend growing pumpkins ,we get up to 24 Queensland blues off one vine ( verified ) Try it if you grow your own.

Any fish is a fantastic garden fertiliser..

[Lost1]

If you dont mind, what fly's are you using? I have a fly rod and have done very little this may help me get used to it

Not sure what madfisher uses, I have created a burley trail using bread and used a piece of white foam as a fly. Get the foam balls from spotlight, about 5-6mm diameter. From memory a size 6 or 8 hook did the job. Bit like larger version of the trout roe fly. Works best in a lagoon or other still water.

If you found a yellow ball you could use corn to attract the Carp.

Bit off topic, but I use the same fly and tactics to catch mullet. The mullet usually end up as live or slab baits for mulloway. A 6wt rod and light tippet means you have a bit of fun.

[madfisher]

In reply to what flies we use, its a case of match the hatch. We fish mainly wild mountain rivers like the Turon, winburdale, Abercrombie rivers etc and find different flies work best in different streams. In the Turon it has a huge population of nymphs , so I tend to use a large nymph pattern on a long shank 8 hook, usually with a black glass bead near the eye.(You can buy theses at spotlight) Woolly worms in size 8, with a small red tag also work well.
We do not burley, but rely on casting to feeding carp spotted . Poloriods and a wide brimmed hat are essential. We will often cover up to 5ks one way.
Woolly buggars also work well, and often pink works well , and is easily seen so you know when the carp sucks it down. I use a 6wt fly rod with a 7wt line for easy close in casting, but usually use 12lb fluro tippet.
Their is masses of videos on you tube on how to catch carp on fly.
Its great fun, but a challenge and its helping our native fish.
Cheers Pete

[silk]

crabs

best bait in the country for catching crabs in drop nets

[peejay68au]

Read a news article the other day that they are releasing the herpes virus into I think the Murray to kill the carp.

Won't be drinking the water me thinks.

[Jimboy]

Did someone say Carp?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg_KQYwKgpE

Cheers,
Jim.