Would be interested in what others say here, but from what I have experienced, carp eyesight sucks. Sometimes less than a foot from face in clear water and they don't see the fly. The fly isn't going to appeal to their sense of smell either. What I am getting at is the pattern might not matter in the conditions you describe. If they are mudding in already turbid water, they are likely just sucking in matter, and expelling water and other things they don't deem as food.

That said, I recently listened to a podcast with John Montana - and he said something along the lines of carp being able to inhale food that is like 1.5x their body length away from them. Again, in the conditions you describe, not sure the pattern will matter all that much. You just need the fly to get sucked up... which may not be done intentionally by the carp.

Again, interested in what others have to say here.

In general, I favor the Trouser Worm, Carpnasty, and Jan's Tickler patterns for carp. Lots of people swear by the John Montana hybrid, but I haven't had one eaten yet.

 

My advice, keep moving and try to find other fish in cleaner water. Seriously. Move on and you may find a cleaner stretch nearby.
If they're your only choice I like a black fly that sinks quickly, something a tad larger than normal.
They can't see well at all in those conditions so I like the black for contrast. Detecting the eat is tough unless they're aggressive. You may see their body or tail pulse or twitch or you may see no indication at all. If you see anything that makes you think they ate, set the hook. If they come unbuttoned, 99% chance you snagged them and they never ate. If they ate and you hook them in the mouth, 99% chance they will not come unbuttoned.

Good luck!

 

I've seen other posts that talk about their poor eyesight and I think "with that great big 'ol eyeball"? Who knows - they are either spooky or won't eat which also makes me wonder - how do they get to be so big? I've thought of cheating and soaking my fly in cat food or corn milk...

 

I've wade fished a lot in the conditions you described. I don't think the fly matters too much...I generally have used darker colors. My conclusion is that they have to swim directly over the fly. Unfortunately it is a low percentage game, but still a lot of fun. The closer you can get before casting the better. I have had them swim close to me and just dropping the fly in front of them is pretty effective.

 

You will have to try and gauge their direction, cast past and little in front of direction and long strip to get right in front of them and then very light short strips until you feel tension then strip set. That’s what I have found anyway. It’s not easy and more you do it the higher percentage but I wouldn’t call it high percentage for sure.

it’s best to find cleaner water