Hello all,

I'm about to start off on my first pike expedition. I have the appropriate heavy gear (I think), and have read up on most of the tactics.

One thing I'm a bit uncertain about: what's the best way to respond to a take? Is it best to strike hard and fast (as you would reservoir trout taking a minky), or to wait for the line to start to run (as you would with pike on a dead bait)? Or is this a meaningless question?

And is it acceptable to keep one for the pot? I've eaten pike abroad, and really enjoyed it.

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Matt

you will hook up automatically, it will be just like a trout taking. as you will be retrieving quite fast the hook up should take care of itself. remember its more like a sweep than a strike. as to eating them, they aint worth the bother. really muddy and need brining for 24hours prior to cooking also those little Y shaped bones are deadly!! good luck, jon.

All the pike I've caught on the fly 'blind' have taken very 'softly' and generally speaking the first thing you feel is the line tighten like you have snagged your hook on a submerged branch. This normally has the effect of making you strip strike rather than lifting the rod tip and I'm sure that this results in more hook-ups.
This is worth remembering when sight fishing as it's far to easy to snatch the fly out of the mouth of a fish by striking as soon as it has gone for the fly.
I think that a good general rule is to just keep on retrieving through the take and you'll know when it's hooked.
Pike don't seem to hit a fly with the same vigour as they do plug, maybe something to do with the speed that it's fished, so don't expect arm wrenching takes.
As for knocking one on the head my experience is that you'll enjoy catching them twice more than eating them once.

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

As an avid piker I would ask, if you do decide to take one for the pot, its a small one, below 5lb, which should taste better anyway!

I find takes of two types

1. Soft - the pike appears to flare its gills and 'inhale' the fly as it moves past. If a blind take you will perceive this as a tapping knock or knocks, or a gradual tighten up. Strip strike is best if you can remember in the heat of the moment.

2. Matey screams out of nowhere under you feet, smashes the fly and rips your rod into hoop. Hang on tight and try not to pee in your waders, and presuming the rod is not heading off toward the nearest snag without you, no strike necessary.

Don;t forget that under the new legislation, on rivers:

Hi folks - thanks very much for that. Exactly what I was after.

Is it worth having a go when it's this cold, or is it hopeless, and best to wait til it warms up a little?

And if it is worth a bash, any fly suggestions/retrieve styles? It would be in the Cam, which is slow flowing, relatively deep and currently not too murky. I've had considerable recent success after chub on nymphs, so things do seem to be still feeding.

Thanks,

Matt

I have had Pike on the fly by wading through ice and clearing a patch then fishing into the small area that was ice free .

However, I would say when its really cold, stick to rivers as the Pike have to remain more active.

I always believe in "Match the hatch" so I would be trying flies that represent Roach, Perch and small Pike to start with, and if the river is coloured, start trying Orange, Yellow and even Pink flies.

I tend to stick to simple patterns like Dodds 3D flies and EP jobbies, quick to tie and easy to cast.

Please excuse my ignorance. Are the pike you speak of the same pike we have here? If so, I agree with Jon about the y bones which is why my father had a personal rule that he never keep a pike unless over 20 inches or a Northern unless over 30 inches. I will agree that a "large for species" game fish often tastes stronger than a smaller (and younger) one.

However the flesh on your pike must be different than on ours. The few pike I have eaten (although as bony as Twiggy) had very white meat with a very mild flavor. Quite tasty actually. These pike came out of New York State lakes. Maybe a river pike would taste different. No idea.

My 1st post so I'd like to say "Hello" to all, and give some background on myself. I'm new to flyfishing...as you might have already guessed from my screen name. LOL. I've got a Loomis GL3 8 wt. that I plan on primarily using for bass fishing (but any pike willing to hit a fly would be welcome!). The rod is about 15 years old, but never seen the water as I quit fishing 23 years ago after moving to this area. It was purchased for a trip to Upstate NY for steelhead, but never made it there.

Late this year I picked up a custom 3 wt. to go after panfish. I'm going to need casting lessons first. I think I could still cast the 8 wt., but boy did I suck with the 3 wt. the one time I tried it.

I probably should have gone for a 4 wt. or even a 5 wt. Casting would be easier.

I'm looking forward to reading about the type of fishing you gentlemen participate in...and the methods you use.

Very funny but also very true !!

__________________
Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
__________________

Cheers Danny

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