2010 proved to be a pivotal year for me in terms of fly fishing. I had a handful of chances to go fly fishing and I made the most of it this past June and September. In June, I spent some time with the in-laws in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since we drove, I was able to bring what I felt was necessary to catch freshwater carp on the flats of Lake Michigan. Besides my 8 wt. and 10 wt. rods, some salt-water reels and a bunch of crayfish imitations, I brought a step ladder that had a rail, providing good casting support. Armed with Google satellite maps and a local guidebook, I was able to drive to a secluded section of flats. Avoiding a small bay full of mung and algae, I made my way to cleaner water that was breaking along the shoreline. Within seconds of wading through this water, I realized I was literally surrounded by dark, copper colored shadows. I had opportunities to cast to fish almost all hours of the clock and I had to take deep breathes and concentrate on what I thought were the biggest fish. The wind and my nervous, excited hands made my casts a bit heavy but the carp were fairly forgiving and I was soon into fish that made me glad I brought along heavier tackle. Even better, the ladder allowed me to cast with a higher degree of stealth, distance and anticipation. The next day, I dragged my brother in law with me and arrived to find that the wind and the water had changed. Finding no fish in the clean and breaking water, we headed back to the cloudy bay of mung. This was the place where the ladder proved its worth and I was able to get at least 1 picture taken by my brother in law of a nice “golden” ghost. Even more memorable was when the sunlight would return in combination with a break in the wind and the waters in front of us would suddenly reveal dozens of large carp. It truly was an exceptional trip for all the right reasons: easy access, absolute solitude, good weather, good planning, and simple and straightforward fishing to carp that were plentiful, hungry and big.