Hooked on Zimmerman — "The Best Carp Flies" book review

The Best Carp Flies isn't just a book — it's a landmark achievement. It stands as the first comprehensive guide dedicated to the art of tying effective carp flies, and it's a testament to the growing popularity of this challenging and rewarding pursuit. Jay Zimmerman has compiled a treasure trove of knowledge, drawing from the experience of leading carp anglers across the United States.

What truly elevates this book is its collaborative nature. It's not just Jay’s voice — it's a chorus of experts, including renowned tiers like Barry Reynolds and Bob Clouser, all contributing their unique patterns and techniques. This collaborative effort results in a diverse collection of over 20 patterns, each meticulously documented with over 600 step-by-step photographs. My three favourites are Barry's Carp Fly, The Back Stabber and the Headstand.

This visual richness is crucial. Fly tying can be intricate, and Zimmerman understands the importance of clear, detailed instructions. The photographs leave no room for ambiguity, guiding even novice tiers through each stage of the process. The photography is truly excellent, showcasing the flies in detail and offering clear, step-by-step instructions. Even if you aren't into carp flies, the chapter on fly tying is extremely well written, containing clear explanations, tips and techniques that are universal.

This book transforms carp fishing from a frustrating guessing game into a strategic and rewarding pursuit. If you're serious about targeting these elusive fish, The Best Carp Flies is an indispensable resource, and even if carp aren’t your thing, it also offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in fly tying and understanding fish behaviour. Jay’s passion for carp fishing is contagious, and his book will undoubtedly inspire you to tie up some of these patterns and hit the water.

The Scarpion — A Carp Fly That Bites Back

One of the first flies I tie on when I am chasing carp in shallow water is the Scarpion. This fly was designed by Chase Smith from Texas and is designed to elicit aggressive takes from even the most discerning carp. For me, this fly, with its buggy profile and enticing movement, has proven to be a winner in various water conditions. My favourite colour combinations are red and black, olive, brown, and cappuccino (brown with a cream tail).

The Scarpion is relatively straightforward to tie. Designed to ride hook point up, you start by tying in a pair of beadchain or dumbbell eyes to the underside of the hook shank. Then, a small clump of rabbit zonker for the tail, followed by a 2mm foam strip or chenille for the body and wrap this down around the hook shank to just behind the eyes. If you like, you can tie in a pair of rubber legs along the sides of the body
to increase the buggyness of the fly, but this is not essential. Finally, tie in a hen hackle and take a few wraps behind the eyes before finishing off the head with some UV epoxy.

The Lift Kit Variation

The Scarpion needs to ride hook point up, which improves the hook-up ratio, so we need to be certain that the fly flips and orients this way. With heavier dumbell eyes, this isn’t normally a problem but when you use lightweight beadchain eyes in shallow water, sometimes the fly doesn’t flip in time. To fix this, you can incorporate a ‘lift kit’ that is described by Jay Zimmerman, in his book The Best Carp Flies. 

A New Favourite — the TFO Mangrove Coast 6 Weight

A recent deal at my local fly shop — BWCFlies Tuggerah — led to an exciting addition to my rod quiver: the TFO Mangrove Coast 6 weight. While my trusty TFO Pro 6 weight has served me well for many years in both fresh and saltwater, the Mangrove Coast proved too tempting to resist.

Last weekend, I put the new rod to the test, stalking carp in shallow water, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. 

The Mangrove Coast loaded effortlessly, delivering accurate and delicate presentations from bankside casts to distances of around 60 feet. This precision was crucial for targeting notoriously spooky carp. The 6 weight’s backbone handled the powerful runs of the larger fish with ease, while still offering the finesse needed for subtle presentations with smaller fly patterns like the Scarpion and Twin-Tail. I'm confident this rod’s versatility will shine in various scenarios, from casting weighted nymphs in rivers and presenting dry flies on stillwaters, to stripping small surf candies for pelagic species.

Cast Your Net Wider — The Merits of Joining a Fly Fishing Club

Fly fishing, at its heart, is a solitary pursuit. The quiet rhythm of the cast, the focus on the drift, the connection with nature — it's easy to see why many anglers cherish their alone time on the water. However, there's a whole other dimension to fly fishing that's often overlooked: the camaraderie and shared knowledge found within a fly fishing club. If you're a seasoned angler or just dipping your toes into the world of fly fishing, joining a club can offer a wealth of benefits.

Shortly after I picked up the long wand, I found and joined my local fly fishing club - the Central Coast Fly Rodders. Like the name suggests, the CCFR is based on the NSW Central Coast and has a diverse community of members from across the region — from the northern suburbs of Sydney all the way to the Hunter Valley. But the Club serves as far more than just a collection of anglers — it fosters a space for learning, camaraderie, and skill development, welcoming individuals of all experience levels.

The Evolution of a Classic — TFO's Pro Series Fly Rods

Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) has long been synonymous with providing anglers with high-performance fly rods at accessible prices. My first real fly rod was a TFO Pro 9’ 6 weight and even after over fifteen years of use and abuse, in both fresh and saltwater, it is still going strong. Over the years, it has served me well, catching everything from bream and frigate mackerel to Australian bass and trout, and until recently, it was my go to rod for carp. Not bad for a rod that only cost me a few hundred dollars!

Over the past twenty years or so, the TFO Pro Series has evolved — with significant input from Lefty Kreh — reflecting advancements in rod technology and the changing needs of fly fishers. TFO's mission, from its inception, was to make fly fishing more accessible, and the Pro series played a key role in fulfilling this goal. The early Pro Series rods were designed with a smooth, moderate action, making them ideal for anglers of all skill levels, especially those starting out like me.