Two sessions of Pike fishing this week – both strange for different reasons – both occasions I have been using my Loop Pike Booster with a floating 9WF line, 3 foot 30lb leader and a bizarre EP fibre monstrosity.
I spooked Pike – lots of them – I counted over a dozen – big ones – all spooked by lining them as I cast in amongst weeds, they shot off like rockets – they were not amused. I lost two Pike – I worked hard for those takes and both were unlucky. The first broke me off at the braided leader, I have no idea how this happened as I check all my connections before commencing fishing for the beasts. After tying on a new leader I then dropped my scissors into the murky depths, it then started raining.

Have you ever tried to cut 30lb mono with your teeth?

However the Gods were not against me for long as the second beast I cast to was spotted because its tail was sticking out the water – I cast towards it and there was another huge displacement of water behind my fly – “take it take it take it” I chanted as I continued the retrieve – it took and then dive bombed into some weeks taking several yards of fly line off my reel in a few seconds – it then broke free and my fly flew back in my face.

At least I caught two pike on the second session – however this time I spooked no pike – like none at all – I have no idea where they were. I took along Paul (KAA Secretary) – he blanked for the first time this season, obviously due to the infamous curse of the first time fisher at a new spot.

Both Pike were #fluked# caught with extreme skill and knowledge – no picture of the first however it was a few pounds bigger than the second.

The beasts fought hard even though they are summer fish – on returning to the water they shot off like angry tigers!

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http://urbanflyfisher.com/

Great report and nice Snaps too. I have been enjoying some success of late but can't seem to break the double figure barrier as of yet.
Still terrific sport though.!

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Fortis Sub Forte Fatiscet. The brave yield only to the brave.


www.rinnshannon.com

Member of the S.S.F.D 2010

nice i cant wait to go for pike on the fly this is what got me started into fly fishing.i am in a sindicate for course fish and wanted to try the fly on there the trouble is i need to try a water with smaller pike because i feel they are too big .that looks a lovely water to fish for them.they are very displayfull in the summer months ,cracking fish.can i ask if many people use mono leaders ,are normal wire traces hard to cast before i start thanks ,wayne

Thanks for the comments - this is not the time of year for big pike - Autumn is when the really big girls start feeing up properly

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http://urbanflyfisher.com/

urban fly fisher could you tell me what size pike would be safely landed on a 9 wt rod without doing any harm.ie not playing it for ages i have alot of experience with pike just not on the fly.the water i fish have pike into the thirtys ,this year jan to march i have had pike ranging from 19 to 27 pounds.i dont usually fish for them in summer months but i was going to have a go.

great report. Was chucking surface lures at a canal for 5 hours solid yesterday- no takes, no follows, but a few spooked pike? I think this dodgy weather hads messed about with em'. I just didnt feel right- and you know when you are fishing right and it should all come together but it didn't.

I have played fish up to 15lb without any difficulties - I use a Loop Pike Booster and a BROMANoDELL’s Esox Lucius 9ft #9/10

I have heard of guys catching Pike into the 20lb range with the Loop rod - I think it would be pretty easy to be honest - the rods built for Pike are not like trout rods - they are pretty powerful pieces of kit.

Over in Europe where they are into their Pike fishing in a big way - bigger than we are over here - they don't mind using 8/9 weight rods for pike.

Alistair

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i use a sage rplxi 9ft 10# seaguar 44Ib nylon and 30Ib wire, leader length depends on where im fishing. play them hard and fast and get them back asap. do not drag them ashore and take care of them. great sport when done correctly, that looks a nice water.

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I HATE BUNGS.........

I think they fight much harder in summer alistair, most winter fish ive had have been very dull in comparison!

I agree about summer pike being more lively. I caught my avatar 27lb on a Sage XP 9' 9 weight , I have caught a few 20's and lost 1 "at the net" about 35lb on this rod , no problem . Mainly on relatively small 3" EP flies .