Had a good scout about for info on this and I'm still confused

Looking to try for a Pike on the fly this winter, judging from some of the pics on here it seems this can be top noch fun! Question is does anyone know if a permit is required on the Lancaster canal - Preston to Garstang stretch??

Thanks in advance

Monst

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Raygill...........

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I have thought about Raygill and might take you up on your tip after Christmas - Just fancied a local spot to wet the line. Maybe no permits required but I wouldn't risk it. Ted Carters might know though...

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Make Tea not War.

Try posting on maggotdrowners - They're sure to know.

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My PC keeps shutting down when trying to search maggot-drowner forums...its either fly only or loves maggots... cheers pal

Monst

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Make Tea not War.

You don't need a permit for t'Lanky. But the piking is pretty dire. I believe the Rufford Arm of the Leeds Liverpool is worth a bash around tarleton.....

M

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The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

Lancaster canal is'nt dire for Pike - there was a 26lb caught right at the end of the canal in Preston a few years back . I caught all my pike on plugs - the problem with fly casting is the back cast, the banks are often high or wooded. Try the basin in Preston, I think you'll be alright there. Pike fishing in canals is about casting to the far bank - don't try a diagonal cast, it doesn't work with plugs so it shoudn't work with flies- maybe a spey cast style would help - keep moving I used to walk miles. The Leeds Liverpool is more prolific for Pike if you want to go that far, and the drains at Banks near Southport would be easier to cast on (permit needed).
Technically you do need a permit for some of it - but not many people have one!
Good luck hope this is of some use.

Why ????

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

... I could do with improving my steeple cast so even better!
...A beautiful stretch, I might journey that way on your tip NCA, ta.

Cheers lads, tight lines.

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Make Tea not War.

What he said!

Bit of a sweeping statement, not true either. It is true the Pike PREFER the far bank but not this time of year at least not on the L&L (I have fished it all my life on and off & worked for BW on it for over 5yrs so passed over many Pike on a boat) Most canals are shallow towards the edges and are deeper in the middle that that is where most of the fish are this time of year, Pike are no different. Usually the deepest parts are below the locks too (obvious reasons) and on stoppages (emptying the pounds to do work-usually winter) this is where most of the fish are.
Strikes do maily occur at the far & near banks(most often) but that is the same on rivers too and indeed stillwaters.
Makes not one jot of difference which direction you cast, as long as you were at least trying to hit the features.
As mentioned, most of the canals I know and have fished its the back-cast is the main issue.

The Lancaster does fish(I have friends who still work on it) but I believe the key is location as some parts of it are pretty barron. Part of the fun of Canals though-get your boots on and have a walk, have a few casts here and there and cover some ground.
Avoid the more urban areas, as if its like the L&L, you'll find any fish that can be caught on cheap spinning outfits have been eaten.