On any given summer evening, one of my favorite pastime is to cast out a float, sit back on the chair and soak up the sun at a local slough. When pedestrians walk by, they often look on curiously and ask, "What are you fishing for?". "Carp." I reply. Puzzled, they often pause for a moment and reply with the remarks, "There are fish in here? And what is a carp?"

The name golden ghost is labeled on a carp based on its physique and behaviour. A carp is stealth, quiet and unnoticed in the water by most. Its typical day consists of strolling along slowly, searching for food and feeding with its protruded mouth. However, when startled or angered, its mood changes instantly. Using all of its conserved energy, this calm animal can transform into a monstrous being within seconds. To most, it's simply a stale goldfish that has been unleashed. To the diehard carp anglers, it's a mysterious species that is full of beauty and character.

Due to these qualities, there are anglers who are willing to spend a large sum of money to specifically target carp as a sportfish. Despite what most North American anglers believe, a carp is not a lazy fish that swallows the hook without hesitation and acts as a old rag as it is being reeled in. It's a magnificent fish that feeds delicately and fights like a freight train.

Around the world, carp can be found in lakes, ponds, sloughs, canals and slow-flowing streams. In Asia and parts of Europe, it's a commercially important fish species that is consumed by millions of people as a fine dining fare. Across Europe and Australia, carp is always the highlight in the coarse fishing world. Carp bait, floats, hooks and other accessories are constantly invented. In North America, carp was introduced by early European settlers. Like Europe, it is a popular gamefish in Eastern North America. It's a different story on the West Coast, most anglers are not aware of the golden ghost as we are often preoccupied by popular native sportfish such as salmon, trout and steelhead.

Next page...