Hi Guys

Wondering how many brave the cold to fish for pike on the fly in winter ?? Through the summer i managed a few pike here and there from the canal mostly in the 12"-14" category the forth and clyde is littered with them.

I popped up the canal after work today 3pm, 2 oC overcast, cloudly, very dull no wind i was playing with a few "bungs" ive tied up for a friend, trying them with buzzers and lures

Then i remembered a chartreuse/white clouser i tied up with new B&Q 4.5 mm blue/brass chain eyes on mustard size 1 Aberdeen hook (barb crushed) i wanted to see how it "swims".

I was casting it on a Shakey Trion 9' 5/6# rod and floating line third cast with a slow pull, retrieve thought id hit weed .......till it pulled back i lifted in and found Fish-on ! Cracking fight from a good 20" plus pike about 2.5lb my besty from this canal so far on the fly. Not bad as i was "casting" rather than fishing never expcted to catch to be honest, goes to show its always worth wetting a line

Do many have success in winter ??

__________________
Englander

"Barbless since 2008"

Vision GT Four catapult 9' 6#
Vision GT Four SW 9' 9#
Vision 3 Zone 9' 5#
Vision Cult 9' 3#
Shakespeare Trion 9' 5/6#
Cortland Endurance 9' 6#
Shakespeare Expedition float tube
Vosseler DC3 reel
Okuma Helios 8/9 reel
Greys G series 3/4 reel
Snowbee Geo 3/4 reel

good show mate, never fished that canal for about 10 years, didnt know there was still alot of pike in it, used to be alot down the bankside industrial estate way

Hi, i am new to fly fishing but have been chasing pike with lures in the winter for many years, i have been taking the fly rod along on recent trips and still getting takes.

Just started getting going with the pike fishing now the weather is colder mostly on the Essex Chelmer, so far managed a few jacks - one a was a half decent size the others more verging on pikelet status! But I've had much more success since the weather's turned really struggled for takes earlier in year.

River's been a bit coloured with all the rain but I'm hoping the colder dry weather this week should bode well.

I'm looking to start aiming for a few Pike, does anybody know any good areas in the southeast, not too far from London, and prefferably free?

On the subject of canal pike does anyone know if the fishing around Oxfords canals is any good for them. Had a few walks around there this summer and it seems to be full of small rudd so plenty of food. Guessing there must be pike in them as well.

Dan

theres very few canals that dont hold pike. ive only recently got into fly fishing so i havent caught a pike on a fly but i too have caught plenty on the canal with lures. ive only got a 3/4 rod but i plan fish for pike with it.

3/4 rod? I take it you mean it's rated to cast #3 or #4 weight lines? You have GOT to be joking, surely?

i would not evern try with out an #8 rod,most tend to say 9/10 but i have had 25lb pikes on the #8 rod and as long as you dont try to force them in too soon its fine

Hi Ryan, I only live about 8 miles from you. Where did you manage your 25lber from on the fly? Was it a local water?