Pike on the Fly
Here in Canada we are blessed with a variety of species to target
with a fly rod. There are never a shortage of places to
explore, and new fish to catch. One fish that is becoming
increasingly popular to angle for on the fly would be the northern
pike (esox lucius). Pike have traditionally been targeted by
hardware anglers, but in the past few years, fly fishermen have
realized just how much fun these fish are to catch using fly rods.
Northern Pike (aka Gators, Slew Sharks, Snot Rockets, Snakes, Perch
Killers, etc.) inhabit many lakes and rivers throughout Canada.
With pike being located in so many places it was only a
matter of time before the fly angler gave them a go.
The Set-Up:
The
typical set-up for a fly fisherman when fishing for northern pike
would be a 7-10 weight rod (depending on what size of pike are
lurking in the water). If the lake or river is full of 3-10 lb
fish, then you will probably choose a 7 or 8 weight for your
fishing. If there are snot rockets being caught in the 10-30+
lb class, then that is when you want an 8-10 weight. I would say
the best all around rod for pike is an 8 weight.
For backing, 100 yds should do the job since pike aren't known to
take huge runs into the backing; but should they happen to do so,
you will have enough leeway with 100 yds.
Moving to lines, a weight forward (WF) floating line is
probably the most common line for pike since there is more weight
near the head of the line for casting out those big flies. I
like the specialty "Pike Taper" lines, and almost every major line
manufacturer designs a line for casting big pike flies nowadays.
Depending on the time of year, a sink-tip or full-sink fly line can
be an asset especially if the pike are hanging low and you can't get
to them with the dry line. This is usually the case in summer
months when pike are hanging low in the water column.
The
last piece of the puzzle is the leader and tippet. Leader
manufacturers have been making “pike” leaders for the last few
years. I personally
like to make my own. To
do this, I use 5-8 ft of 10-40 lb monofilament line, and attach 2-3
ft of wire tippet that can be anywhere from 10-40 lb wire as well.
The wire tippet is a must since the pike have razor sharp teeth.
I have even seen pike cut right through 30 lb wire, so keep your
hands away from their mouths!
Seasons, Flies, and Locations:
In my opinion, the Spring season would have to be the very best time
of year to fish for pike on the fly, with fall coming in a close
second. In spring, the fish have come into shallow water to
feed after the spawn, and will aggressively take many offerings.
Evenings would be my personal favourite in the spring, since you can
stay out late and catch the pike on top-water flies! The later
you go into the evening, the better chance you have of landing more
walleye at the same time as well (if they are in the lake). In
the Fall season, the pike are preparing for the winter ahead, and
are going on the feed by gorging themselves on minnows and other
forage in the lake.
This makes for some exciting fishing, and some big pike being
landed!
Good
wet flies to use are #3/0 chartreuse (or red, black, yellow, and
pink) Double Bunny flies with crystal flash in the tail (my
favourite). Also, size
#1/0-4/0 minnow/baitfish imitations, and large sized woolly buggers
have done the job. Top-water offerings are a lot of fun on
calm mornings and evenings, and good ones to use would be deer hair
frog, or mouse imitations, and deer-hair poppers.
Bring plenty of these as they have a tendency to get chewed
up after a few fish.
Shallow bays, reed lines, and underwater humps are excellent places to try these flies in the spring and fall. If the conditions are right, you will be in for an excellent day on top water, or sub-surface. Take a depth finder out and find some structure, and you should be in for a fine day of pike action.
Conclusion:
If
pike are in your area and you haven't tried fly fishing for them,
then you are truly missing out. The takes are explosive, the
battles are tough, and the action is phenomenal! Getting set
up for a day of pike fishing on the fly does not cost an arm and a
leg, and presentations don’t always have to be perfect.
Even beginning fly fishermen can have exceptional days trying
for these fish.
Hopefully you will consider adding northern pike to your "To-catch"
list on the fly rod. It
is indeed worthy of having a fly in its mouth.
If you already fly fish for these freshwater gators, you know
what I am talking about.
