Had my first bash at Pike fly fishing tonight and tried using my 7/8 10' EDP but casting was pretty poor as it lacked power and presentation at distance.

Have priced a Shakespear saltwater 8/9 rod 9'6" rod at GAC with backing, loops, line and pfleuger reel - £145.

Will this solve the casting problem with heavier pike flies?

Any feedback appreciated.

FF

How big are flies you would like to use and selection of line is very important. The correct approach is....what would i like to throw...what line do i need to do this...what rod do i need for this...

Firefox,
Why don't you scale down the size of the fly or change the material used (i.e non absorbing). I use a 7 weight with a rocket taper WF line fished with streamers upto size 8 max & I find this plenty.

Small flies do catch plenty of pike, I regularly fish 2-3 inch baitfish on 6/7/8wts but if you need a bit of distance and a "proper" mouthful(sometimes the pike just won't react to anything less than a half chicken!) then it is time for the big guns.
I fished a reservoir from the bank, last month, in a major gale, that day flies had to be 6" min and a good chuck was called for. I used a 10wt rod with a clear intermediate(pike taper) line, anything less and I wouldn't have been abled to reach them. As it was I took eight to low doubles and missed as many more. A lighter rod/smaller fly and I'd have blanked...tried it first.
Dee

Hi FlyFerox.

All the info you need is on the Pike Fly-Fishing Association's wweb site

www.pffa.co.uk

Ernie

__________________
May the fluff be with you

Should have added www.pikeflyfishing.co.uk Another source of excellent info for the budding Pike Fly Fisher.

Ernie

__________________
May the fluff be with you

I Caught that one on my light tackle ( 4 weight rod) on a small trout streamer.

It provided good fight, and was pleased to be released as well.

I dont use anything under a 9wt for Pike, you just cant turn over the flies and trace with out the power a 9wt will give you. Also make sure you have a good tapered leader, using my own at the moment and Im quite happy with the result, and if im not out with the snippers. Im using 50lb>>26>16 around nine feet long and its great at getting the fly turned over even into a headwind

He's a little fat boy. Looks like he was nearly someone else's dinner.....

I use a #9 Roz Meister?? rod with a #10 wff with sink tip.

As said, some of the heavier flies, plus trace, take some chucking out. A nice bit of hauling really helps...