June: In the great pools I hear a large splash and see a great grey belly disappear under the water. I think a duck has been pulled under for the round belly surfaces again strongly once or twice then seems to weaken... the roiling of the surface betrays a turbulence beneath. It makes its way toward me and a fin breaks surface for a second. Then I see underwater a great twisting mass of carp: five or six of the fat fleshy large-scaled beasts moving almost as one. Sizes range from about 12-24 inches. They stir up a great cloud in the water at my feet before moving on underwater: their passage marked by an arrow of water heaving over their moving location. 

Next page in series

Back to previous page

Carp spawning: ink drawing