Lip AIDS - A DSP Staple

On the lookout for Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

By no means am I an experienced carper. I caught one on the Missouri. But, I am embracing the pursuit for the golden ghost, unlike some of Chum's commenters. Denver and it's hinterland have some great carp water including the misunderstood and often polluted South Platte through Denver. This month, Russell Schnitzer (of SchnitzerPHOTO) and I have tried our hand at catching the often invisible January Denver-South Platte (DSP) carp. While we haven't connected with a winter carp yet, we have experienced everything else that DSP has to offer, including a valuable life lesson (AKA Pro Tip).

Pre Lip AIDS - the good old days (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Don't use textured fly lines while fishing for carp on the DSP. Textured fly lines have a habit of "grabbing" water. When double hauling textured fly line that is coated with the clear waters of the DSP, water shoots off the line and flies onto your lips and provides your lips with a burning sensation I like to call Lip AIDS.

Chemical makeup of DSP - Water, Steel Reserve, and Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Listen to the homeless. As we headed north towards Florida Avenue, a homeless man on the banks enjoying a taste told us "You're walking the wrong way, all the fish are south." We thanked him for his advice and continued north. We were wrong. He was right.

Winter Carping. (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

Check out SchnitzerPHOTO on facebook and instagram. Believe it or not, he takes amazing photos of things other than me.

-14 to -1: Wandering in the cold with sticks

Colder than normal. photo credit: Matt Smythe

There aren't many times when I choose not break out the GoPro and grab some footage during a day on the water. Yesterday, was one of those days. My lack of motivation wasn't a function of a lack of good times, beautiful scenery, or fish. But, days that start around -14 degrees and don't end above zero tend to pare down one's "on the water" habits. In the end, it was a surprisingly productive day on the water with two of the fly fishing blogosphere's finest, Sanders and Matt Smythe. A day filled with camaraderie, icicle beards, hiking through fresh powder, brown trout, and size 24 midges drifting under air trapped in plastic.

The Fishing Poet displays why beards are crucial tools for winter fishing. photo credit: Matt Smythe

I would like to introduce a new "feature" here on YGF. "Pro Tips." A new, incredibly "helpful" and "insightful" feature filled with "common sense" "tips." Let the Pro Tipping being.

Pro Tip: Don't catch fish when it's -14 F...unless, you want to see your finger hairs freeze.

My attempt at an ice beard. See above photo for real ice beardy-ness. photo credit: Matt Smythe

 Pro Tip: At -14 F, Rice Crispy treats are bad. Conversely, Pendelton is better than it will ever be.

Sanders offers some tiny flies to the William's Fork's inhabitants. photo credit: Matt Smythe

Pro tip: Don't fly on airplanes with an ear infection...unless, you enjoy temporary deafness. 

Sanders looks on as I flog a soft inside that held some diminutive browns. photo credit: Matt Smythe

Pro tip: Ice that forms in sub-zero temperatures is special ice. It is ice that has gained the ability to resist the powers of 35 degree water. Treat sub-zero ice with respect.

You've just been Pro-Tipped.