Slogging Through a Tough July

 

Fishing has been slow in July,
though they can still be caught 
with persistence!

This has been a tough month for carp fishing here in RI. I've been out just about every day in some shady spots, but I am getting very little.  It's a small fish here and there.

Th reasons (I believe) are many.  Weather is a big factor as it always is in carp fishing.  The torrential rains of the last month have swelled the ponds, lakes and rivers.  With a lot of water in the woods, carp will grub on what used to be dry land.  They are near impossible to catch when feeding in the flooded woods. The heat has been a killer. Water temperatures are very warm causing the fish to be sluggish feeders. The invasive weed has been terrible in most places this year.  Both water chestnut and milfoil weed has been very troublesome in places and has actually shut down the fishing in many of my favorite summer spots.  That won't disappear until late fall! Finally, the turtles have been super pesky in this heat. They are clever bait stealers, and occasionally you will hook one (snapping turtle).

Still, I am getting a few fish. Landed exactly three fish in my last five outings. And, there wasn't one over ten pounds.  I suspect this slow fishing will continue until the weather breaks.  Just the way it is at this time of year sometimes.