Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 10 - Flipbook - Page 31
watch
now
A slight westerly wind nudged the
port-side of my 14’ Smokercraft,
sending me into a silent and
gentle drift through an endless
sea of lily pads. It was a quiet
approach, ideal for sneaking up
on unsuspecting prey, yet the
piercing glare of the setting sun
reflecting off the water rendered
my eyes almost completely
useless. Through a squinting
gaze, I struggled to make out
what looked like a slight ripple in
the water, followed by a dorsal fin
breaching the surface. Drawing
back on my bow I prepared for
what would not only be my last
shot of the evening, but possibly
the biggest common carp I’ve
ever taken with a bow. A twang
from the string pierced the
silence, and at a 50 lb. draw weight
the arrow pounded through the
water, gliding right over the top
of the fish. A near miss, and only
one of many that I will experience
when attempting to land carp
through arguably one of the most
difficult methods of fishing.
Bowfishing for carp is the crème
de la crème of outdoor activities
for those who have an affinity
for both fishing and hunting. It
combines two beloved pastimes
in a way that is both unique and
challenging, plus, it fulfills that
nagging itch that plagues most
hunters this time of year as they
eagerly await fall hunting season.
Just like fishing with a rod and reel,
bowfishing is a game of patience.
The beauty of bowfishing
however, is that instead of sitting
and waiting while you troll your
rig under the water or wait for
a bit of movement at the tip
of your rod, you instead get to
spend your time deeply focused
as your ears are tuned into the
sounds of thrashing water, or carp
feeding at the surface. You’re in
constant engagement as you
scan the water looking for slight
movements in the vegetation,
or for fish jumping or flapping at
the surface, or better yet, for a fish
swimming within shooting range.
Aside from the large doses of
adrenaline that are part and
parcel to bowfishing, those who
choose this method of taking on
common carp also get the added
benefit of taking part in lake
and river ecosystem restoration.
Though carp were introduced
by well-intended folks, they are
classified by the Washington State
Department of Fish and Wildlife
as an aquatic invasive species.
These fish are highly fecund; with
females laying up to 300,000
eggs per spring. Their ferocious
appetites result in the removal
of beneficial vegetation that
would otherwise provide viable
spawning habitat for native fish,
they increase the amount of
suspended solids in the water;
causing increased turbidity,
and they have been known
to have a negative impact on
phytoplankton production. Not
only is the removal of common
carp encouraged in Washington
state, its supported to the extent
that the WDFW does not require
anglers to have a fishing license to
catch or shoot them.
Looking to get into bowfishing for
carp? If you’re already an archery
hunter, then you’re over halfway
there. For under 200 dollars, (at the
time I write this) compound bows
can be converted for bowfishing
with the addition of a bottle reel,
an arrow holder, pronged arrows,
and some safety slides to prevent
fishing line mishaps. Bottle reels
are often preferred over spinning
reels as they can hold heavier line
for larger fish.
The downside is that they require
you to hand-line in your catch as
opposed to reeling.
AUG 2023 | 31