Listen to the Song – Tough as Old Boots

The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while discovering the remarkable stories behind our freshwater fish.

Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.

The Leather Carp

Tough as Old Boots

“Smooth across the flank, broad across the shoulders and built for survival — the Leather Carp looks every inch the old warrior of the lake.”

Species Profile

The Leather Carp is one of the most distinctive forms of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Unlike the beautifully regular scales of a Common Carp or the great scattered scales of a Mirror Carp, a true Leather Carp has very few scales, giving much of its body a remarkably smooth appearance.

A small number of scales may remain, particularly around the base of the fins or tail.

Its thick, powerful body and almost leathery-looking skin give the fish an unmistakably rugged appearance.

It may look different from its relatives, but beneath that smooth exterior beats the heart of a carp.

Strong.

Determined.

And, as the song says, Tough as Old Boots.

Clive’s Story

There is something about a big Leather Carp that immediately suggests strength.

Perhaps it is the lack of scales.

Without the familiar pattern covering its flanks, you notice the shape and muscle of the fish even more.

A big Leather can look like it has been carved from bronze.

And once you hook one, there is certainly nothing delicate about it.

Carp are powerful fish, and when a good one decides it doesn’t want to come anywhere near your landing net, you soon discover just how much strength that body contains.

That is fishing.

You can have all the tackle, preparation and experience in the world.

But occasionally a fish reminds you who is really in charge.

And a big Leather Carp is perfectly capable of doing exactly that.

Natural History

Leather Carp share their basic biology with other forms of Common Carp.

They thrive in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, canals and slower-moving rivers where suitable habitat and food are available.

Carp use their sensitive barbels and highly developed senses to search for food.

Their diet can include insect larvae, worms, molluscs, crustaceans, seeds and plant material.

They frequently investigate the bottom, disturbing sediment as they search for something to eat.

During warm weather they may also cruise close to the surface, particularly in calm conditions.

Spawning normally occurs as water temperatures rise, when carp gather in shallower areas amongst vegetation.

Like other carp, Leather Carp can be remarkably long-lived and may grow to impressive sizes when conditions are favourable.

Interesting Facts

Scientific name: Cyprinus carpio
Family: Cyprinidae.
The Leather Carp is a form of Common Carp.
It is not a separate species.
Has greatly reduced scaling.
A few scales may remain around the fins or tail.
Its smooth appearance gives rise to the name “Leather Carp.”
Closely related to Common and Mirror Carp.
Has sensitive barbels around the mouth.
Omnivorous and highly adaptable.
Can grow to impressive weights.
Powerful when hooked and highly prized by carp anglers.
Leather and Mirror Carp can sometimes be confused, particularly when a Mirror Carp has very few scales.

Behind the Song

The title Tough as Old Boots seemed almost made for the Leather Carp.

Look at a big old Leather and there is something wonderfully rugged about it.

There may be scars from years spent beneath the water.

Its broad body can look immensely powerful.

And that smooth, leathery flank gives the impression of a fish built to survive.

So the song became a celebration of character.

Not everything in nature needs to be delicate and beautiful.

Sometimes beauty comes from toughness.

From endurance.

From surviving another winter and another season.

The Leather Carp has that quality in abundance.

It looks tough.

It fights tough.

And it survives.

Tough as Old Boots.

Conservation and Fish Care

Large Leather Carp can represent many years of growth and survival.

That makes responsible handling particularly important.

When a large carp is landed, its body should be fully supported and protected with suitable unhooking equipment.

The fish should remain out of the water for the shortest practical time and hooks should be removed carefully.

Older fish may carry scars accumulated over many years.

Those marks are part of their history.

The angler’s responsibility is to make sure that catching the fish does not add unnecessary injury to that story.

Perhaps the finest moment in carp fishing comes after the photograph.

You lower the fish back into the water.

Support it gently.

Feel the strength returning.

Then suddenly that great tail kicks.

And the old warrior disappears.

Clive’s Reflection

The Leather Carp makes me think about what we really mean when we describe a fish as beautiful.

It doesn’t have the perfect rows of scales of a Common Carp.

It doesn’t have the spectacular mirror-like plates of a Mirror Carp.

Instead, its beauty comes from character.

A big old Leather looks as though it has lived a life.

Every mark and scar can represent another chapter.

Another winter survived.

Another angler outwitted.

Another season spent beneath the water.

Perhaps that is why anglers develop such affection for individual carp.

We don’t simply see their size.

We see their history.

And when an old Leather Carp finally slides over the rim of the landing net after a hard fight, there is only one description that really seems appropriate.