Beaver Island Carp
Carp (mid-May through July) – Getting a carp on a fly is tough, really tough. Possibly the only fish tougher is the permit but carp have one silver lining, there are a lot of carp. On a good day, it isn’t unusual to get over a hundred shots. This is not the fish for beginners, but if you have intermediate fly fishing skills, you should be able to land a couple fish on a trip to the islands.
When we arrive on the islands in mid-May, the spring weather is still cool and turbulent, but on a bright sunny day this early fishing can be unbelievable. On these warm days the fishing may be the best of the year. As the season progresses, fish numbers decline, but the weather becomes better, and everything sort of balances out.
However, later in the season the fishing does transition toward deeper water with more boat fishing as you head toward July, and boat shots require more skill. You can catch just as many carp in July as you might in May, but in July, the shots will require more skill.
Non-Fly Fishing – We have people sight cast medium weight jigs on a spinning rod. It can be as effective as fly fishing.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
What to wear: Always remember that Beaver Island will be cooler by 10-15 degrees then the forecast on the mainland. It is a small group of islands surrounded by cold water and that cold water keeps air temps on the island much cooler. Also plan on wind, calm wind on the Beavers is the exception and not the rule.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat, 2 pairs of sun gloves and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust.
For most trips to Beaver Island:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
When the weather turns to full summer, often about the 4th of July, we ditch the waders and wet wade. There are a lot of slippery rocks around the island. Over the years we’ve found that the wading boots we use with our waders are the best choice for wet wading. We simply take up the extra space in the oversized boots with 2 pairs of thick socks. We’ve found that flats boots didn’t have enough sturdiness for walking on the large rocks.
Some of the marshy areas we fish have leaches. The leaches can only bite you if they can get to your skin. You can avoid getting bit by tucking your pants into your socks or putting rubber bands around your ankles, the heavy rubber bands they use on produce work great.
Do not bring studded boot, they’re too noisy on the rocks and spook the fish.
Never bring shorts or open shoes. Sometimes we have stable flies that will bit the heck out of your feet and legs, they are 100% eliminated by long pants, shoes and socks. Bug spray has no effect on them.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket, puffy jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat and buff.
Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray. Even if the forecast is for hot and dry, bring rain gear, the boat ride is often splashy.
Gearing Up: While you can land our carp all day long on an 8 or even 7 weight, getting the fly to them will be the struggle. Like most flats destinations, Beaver Island is windy most of the time. Carp flies tend to be both big (in the 2-4 inch range) and heavy, with large to x-large lead eyes.
I have 3 carp rods set-up in the boat all the time. The first is an 8 weight with a matched line for lighter flies in shallow water for more delicate presentations. The second is a 9 weight set up for shots in mid-depths with medium-sized flies. The third is an over lined 9 or even a 10 weight that can throw a big heavy fly into some pretty stout wind.
Fly Lines - All lines need to be floating with a hi-vis tip, seeing the end of the fly line is critical for precise fly placement. If I can't see the end of your fly line, you're not going to catch a carp. Avoid tropical lines, it is just too cold up here.
Fly Reels - We usually attach our flies to 12 pound tippet. Most carp will run you into your backing and bigger fish, as the waters warm, can make some big runs. While carp don't make blistering salt water runs, they can just sort of keep going forever. While top shelf reels are not necessary for carp, a lot of backing is. A trout reel with 100 feet of backing isn't going to cut it for carp.
Polarized Sunglasses - We seem to like copper and amber lenses for sunny days and then a low light pair for clouds.
Flies - Take a look at the Flies Page on our website for a few of the patterns we like. Whitlock’s NearNuff Crawfish (https://dressedirons.com/step-by-step-flies/whitlocks-nearnuff-crawfish/) is a Beaver Island staple, tied in brown, olive and orange.
Having specific carp fly patterns is not necessary on Beaver Island but keeping a few guidelines in mind really helps.
1) Natural colors with maybe a bit of yellow, red or purple for an accent.
2) Don't tie the flies too bulky. The more materials you put on that hook the more lead you also need to get it down.
3) No flash, except maybe a little crystal flash.
4) Flies need to ride hook-up.
5) Most of your flies should be tied with medium lead eyes, some in heavy and small and a very few with bead-chain eyes.
6) Beaver Island carp flies should end up in the 1 1/2 to 3 1/2" range.
We can set you up with leaders when you hit the island, so no worries here.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html
However, later in the season the fishing does transition toward deeper water with more boat fishing as you head toward July, and boat shots require more skill. You can catch just as many carp in July as you might in May, but in July, the shots will require more skill.
Non-Fly Fishing – We have people sight cast medium weight jigs on a spinning rod. It can be as effective as fly fishing.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
What to wear: Always remember that Beaver Island will be cooler by 10-15 degrees then the forecast on the mainland. It is a small group of islands surrounded by cold water and that cold water keeps air temps on the island much cooler. Also plan on wind, calm wind on the Beavers is the exception and not the rule.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat, 2 pairs of sun gloves and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust.
For most trips to Beaver Island:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
When the weather turns to full summer, often about the 4th of July, we ditch the waders and wet wade. There are a lot of slippery rocks around the island. Over the years we’ve found that the wading boots we use with our waders are the best choice for wet wading. We simply take up the extra space in the oversized boots with 2 pairs of thick socks. We’ve found that flats boots didn’t have enough sturdiness for walking on the large rocks.
Some of the marshy areas we fish have leaches. The leaches can only bite you if they can get to your skin. You can avoid getting bit by tucking your pants into your socks or putting rubber bands around your ankles, the heavy rubber bands they use on produce work great.
Do not bring studded boot, they’re too noisy on the rocks and spook the fish.
Never bring shorts or open shoes. Sometimes we have stable flies that will bit the heck out of your feet and legs, they are 100% eliminated by long pants, shoes and socks. Bug spray has no effect on them.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket, puffy jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat and buff.
Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray. Even if the forecast is for hot and dry, bring rain gear, the boat ride is often splashy.
Gearing Up: While you can land our carp all day long on an 8 or even 7 weight, getting the fly to them will be the struggle. Like most flats destinations, Beaver Island is windy most of the time. Carp flies tend to be both big (in the 2-4 inch range) and heavy, with large to x-large lead eyes.
I have 3 carp rods set-up in the boat all the time. The first is an 8 weight with a matched line for lighter flies in shallow water for more delicate presentations. The second is a 9 weight set up for shots in mid-depths with medium-sized flies. The third is an over lined 9 or even a 10 weight that can throw a big heavy fly into some pretty stout wind.
Fly Lines - All lines need to be floating with a hi-vis tip, seeing the end of the fly line is critical for precise fly placement. If I can't see the end of your fly line, you're not going to catch a carp. Avoid tropical lines, it is just too cold up here.
Fly Reels - We usually attach our flies to 12 pound tippet. Most carp will run you into your backing and bigger fish, as the waters warm, can make some big runs. While carp don't make blistering salt water runs, they can just sort of keep going forever. While top shelf reels are not necessary for carp, a lot of backing is. A trout reel with 100 feet of backing isn't going to cut it for carp.
Polarized Sunglasses - We seem to like copper and amber lenses for sunny days and then a low light pair for clouds.
Flies - Take a look at the Flies Page on our website for a few of the patterns we like. Whitlock’s NearNuff Crawfish (https://dressedirons.com/step-by-step-flies/whitlocks-nearnuff-crawfish/) is a Beaver Island staple, tied in brown, olive and orange.
Having specific carp fly patterns is not necessary on Beaver Island but keeping a few guidelines in mind really helps.
1) Natural colors with maybe a bit of yellow, red or purple for an accent.
2) Don't tie the flies too bulky. The more materials you put on that hook the more lead you also need to get it down.
3) No flash, except maybe a little crystal flash.
4) Flies need to ride hook-up.
5) Most of your flies should be tied with medium lead eyes, some in heavy and small and a very few with bead-chain eyes.
6) Beaver Island carp flies should end up in the 1 1/2 to 3 1/2" range.
We can set you up with leaders when you hit the island, so no worries here.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html