Selective Opportunists: The common carp, koi, and goldfish are prolific, hardy species. Blessed with high fecundity, these cyprinids are able to establish themselves in introduced bodies of water in little time. Known for their high adaptivity and stealth, these fish are some of the most notoriously difficult freshwater fish species to pursue with a fly rod. They possess an extremely sensitive lateral line, and barbels on the carp/koi. Fly selection can be quite selective. The golden bonefish: the ultimate freshwater challenge.
Vegetarians: Grass, amur, bighead, silver. These non native species consume large quantities of plankton, zooplankton, and algae. They downright outcompete native fishes. Hazard: Bighead carp will jump out of water near outboard motors, striking and injuring boaters. Prolific: commercial netting sites often abandoned due to massive biomass, as fisherman are unable to lift nets. Extremely difficult to catch on a fly, few effective patterns exist for these fish. One notable exception: Sister Carol Anne Corley’s Grass Carp Fly.