I realize this post is old, but figured I could offer some additional advice regarding anyone's pursuit of carp, particularly on a fly rod. First of all, DO IT!!!! I used to turn my nose up at the thought of catching carp, but after figuring them out, I can testify to how fun the fight truly is.
When I lived in Eastern Montana, I spent a lot of time fishing the lower Missouri, and in the spring, carp congregated in the slower pools and backwater sloughs off the main channel. The fish swam in a very predictable circuit, roaming the edge of the slough, entering and prowling a shallow bay (where I stood motionless in the reeds), before returning to the main slough. I could set a clock to their movements, and accordingly, set about ambushing the pods.
An important thing to note is that in clearer water, carp are extremely skittish This is stealth fishing. The slightest of movements above the water, or worse, sloppy line management can ruin a pod. Accordingly, when it was out of sight, I cast and positioned a small (size 10 hook or so) crawdad pattern across the bay on a long leader. When the fish swam back into view, I'd strip the crawdad across the bottom, crossing their path in short strips and pauses, and watching for any mouths to open or heads to turn. The takes can be subtle, but once the hook is set, brace yourself for a violent run, as even the smallest carp I caught put up a thrilling fight on a 5 wt. rod!
