Have been a Pike fisherman for many years (lures & deadbaits) but recently became very interested in taking them on the fly. Having read up quite a bit and got all my tackle together - then put in some serious practice to remind myself how to cast a fly - I have been down on my local river (Medway) trying to put theory into practice.

I have been surprised how effective it is! I didn't manage to blank for the first 4 sessions, though was mainly catching jacks. A 5.5 lb fish gave some fireworks and a taste of what decent fish can show on the fly rod. I have noted a clear feeding pattern on the river at the moment - almost nothing until sunset to an hour afterwards. Last Thursday I got down for 'feeding time' and about 30 minutes later got a strong take which then ran me all over the weir pool. It got me into bankside roots until I had to slacken & fortunately the barbless hook stayed in as it came out. Then ran 30m downstream taking me to the backing on my fly reel for the first time! The adrenaline was pumping as I realised I only had limited control and had to keep a cool head. Eventually, after about 10 minutes, it started to tire and I brought it close enough to try and guide over the net in the half-light. It was then I realised how big it was, and that my net really wasn't big enough! After a couple of abortive attempts, and nervous how well the leader & Aberdeen hook was holding up every time it did another rush, I managed to guide its' head and front half over the lip and then scoop the far lip under its tail so it could curve in U-fashion.

http://www.hopkins-research.com/mich...g/DSC04675.jpg

Seeing it was one thing but lifting it was different again! The scales I had with me only go to 14lb and it slammed these right down. Having had bigger Pike that I did weigh, I'm going to guess 17lb - which on a fly rod is quite an experience.

http://www.hopkins-research.com/mich...g/DSC04678.jpg

Will definitely be taking a bigger net (& scales) next time!

After 5 fish on the same fly I'm not sure whether to retire it now and make a copy of this obvious design classic or just fish it until an underwater snag or Pike finally claims it. The synthetic body materials are holding up remarkably well, but the hook is starting to lose its temper a little...

M

Great fish well done

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see "eliteflies" username, for all my products thanks.

Great angling mate well done!

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Jim

My only worry is that when I die,my wife sells my fishing gear, for what I said I paid for it

Great fish ,well done

M

I appreciated the PM... cheers for that... glad the rod is working well. You can't beat the take on a fly. Retiring flies... nah! Use it until you lose it or it wears out... it'll be worth it (but do make a back up... but it won't be the same until you catch on it!)

D

Well done hopper, great fish

thanks for the good vibes, guys

Cracking fish.....


....however, ten minutes seems quite excessive in terms of playing the fish. Did it swim away OK?

Dougie

Well done, as you have found out can be great fun, don't stop now will only get better.

Dai

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Any day with a y in it, is a good day to go fishing

http://daijonesflies.blogspot.com/

Dougie

As is my usual routine, I left it to get it's breath back in the net for a few minutes after I had got the fly out. Then took it out for a quick weight & photo. When it went back in it had plenty of strength & was raring to go.

M