Hi Paul - I also fish a lot for Pike (in the Baltic) with the fly albeit not in the UK and not in the midlands, so unfortunately I cant give you any tips regarding UK pike destinations. However I do feel that I can pass on some of my ideas on tackle for Pike.
For Pike fishing I use an #8 weight 1hander - which is ok for casting flies tied with flashabou on up to say hook size 1/0 or 2/0, however for casting larger flies I do not as most people use a #9 or #10 weight 1hander I use a 2hander. To be more precise a switch rod, loaded with a skagit head. I can cast this u-hand (preferred) or 2hand overhead (if standing balanced on a rock or the wave is to high) and believe me it is far less effort than chucking a #9 or even #10 1hander; set up the D-Loop and bingo your'e off. Its effortless.
With regard to leaders most of the scandinavian guys use very thick Hard-Mono or 80/100lb Fluoro, me too. And before the tonnes of "how could you's" crash down on top of me I would like to inform you that I have lost probably no more than about 3 perhaps 4 Pike (thro bite off's, not "long distant releases") over the past years and in that time I have caught what probably amounts to a few hundred Pike! Obviously if the rules of the water(s) you fish state that you have to use a wire trace then I suggest doing so, the waters I fish do not have any rules at all.
I strongly recommend barbless hooks (I use nothing else not just for Pike fishing but all other types of FF as well), a decent pair of very long nose artery forceps (I have some about 40cm long) and get to know the "chin grip" - very few Pike take the fly deep down, most of the time it is in the snout so that you can just grab the hook shank and twist it out. However if you need to go a bit deeper it is good to be able to hold it, the chin grip being probably the best way, you can leave the fish in the water and get the hook out with the forceps.
Enjoy it.
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