Hidden somewhere in deepest Wyoming is a special place—a special carp place. With clear water, white sand beaches, views for miles and willing, rubber-lipped beauties, it’s no wonder this place is known as Carp Nirvana. American carp heads Dylan Freed and Jay Beyer hosted Aussie carp fanatic Stu Tripney in Carp Nirvana for a session of fly pattern testing, sight fishing and demolishing gear. If you are a fan of the desert ditch pig, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

Words: Jay Beyer

Two coming in from the right, about 30 feet out,” I yell to Dylan. He throws to the spot and lets it sink. “Almost there! You see ‘em?’”

“Yeah, got ‘em!”
The unknowing carp meander into our trap. I’m trying to snap a few shots, so I’m in a perch with a better view of the water and the dark shadows it hides. I call down to Stu or Dylan and give them a heads up as to the location of our prey.
With a slight twitch of his line, the fly—a carp-specific pattern designed by Stu named “the gimp”—moves ever so slightly on the bottom and triggers the feed response. The shadow turns slowly and its rubbery lips extend toward the bottom and suck up the ball of hair, foam and fur. A quick strip set—whomp!—and we are laughing, having fooled another fish in Carp Nirvana, Wyoming, where it’s just as much fun to watch as it is to catch because the water is so clear, the sand between your toes is so warm and the friends are so great.

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