by Keith Snow
From News Angle
Having moved across from coarse fishing in the early eighties to fly fishing I, like the majority of my colleagues, become increasingly bored around the middle of November. Almost every salmon river closes in mid to late November and who wants to fish for finless, pellet fed rainbow trout in winter in any event.
The natural progression was to step the tackle up and winter fish for pike on the fly. Membership of TDAFPS opens a diverse choice of water. The only limit we have found is the usual safety question with the public walking behind completely oblivious as to what a size 2/0 Viking feels like at 40 mph.
The river below Hartlake Bridge just screams ' river pike' and with the assistance of other members we have ventured forth. Those contemplating making the step over will be surprised at how easy the transformation process can be. I would, and not just because I am a National Instructor, suggest that you seek sound advice on casting large heavy flies. The option is having your mobile with you or pre-arranged transport to the nearest A & E. Casting fur, feather and synthetic flies up to twelve inches long requires a change in casting style. Of those we have taught everyone has picked up the change in casting arcs relatively easily. On a safety note, avoid overhead power cables and always wear Polaroid glasses and suitable clothing when fly casting. The photograph shows the type and style of flies used. The hooks are carbon steel and not stainless. There is no place in pike fishing for stainless hooks. We also de-barb to assist in removal and to allow the fish to return as quickly as possible. In the main we tend to unhook whilst the fish is in the water and avoid landing nets preferring to "chin" the fish. All sounds complicated? well, it isn't, and if you see us on the bank stop and have a chat. The rods are really the only piece of kit, which is different from ordinary trout tackle. You need to step up one or two sizes. A 9 or 10 is perfect and a tip action rod will prove beneficial over a middle or progress taper.
Lines of course need to balance the rod and we use purpose designed short stubby tapers to turn over what is in effect a fly the size of half a chicken. Our leaders are short, rarely over eight feet in length with a 12" wire trace with swivel and link to attach the fly. Normally the leaders are nylon or copolymer with a breaking strain between 171 and 23 lbs. The reels are standard large arbour trout reels with no fancy brakes or prices. Pike tend to make one run and then either head shake or tail walk before succumbing to the rod's pressure. Knots are possibly the single most important item.
Pike will test your knots more than the drag system on your reel. Every fly fisher I have fished with states that the take is the moment that matters. Landing the fish is secondary, the take is everything. Pike can be extremely gentle in taking the fly. Most imagine a violent hit and run but the majority are just a nip or slow draw. As the pike opens its mouth to take the fly a vacuum sucks' the fly into the pikes mouth. The angle of the take governs the received sensation through the rod. My largest pike gave two almost indiscernible, taps before all hell broke lose. On the bank we always travel light but tend to return to the car for a brew and rethink tactics. Rod, reels and a small bag contain everything required. In the bag are identical tools to those which bait fishers use to catch pike. The idea of travelling ultra light is to cover as much water as possible.
Locating the pike is the object of the day. Pike tend to take the fly if it is placed close enough to them or appeals to their aggressive streak. The majority of pike taken are located within six to eight feet from the bank and in amazingly shallow water. Individual pike will chase the fly to the bank. Features in the water are an added bonus and locks would appear to be number one. In late winter the females spawn and use the shallows.
At this time we avoid disturbing the shallows. The males, however, tend to be very aggressive at this time and we have known one fish to hit the fly three times on one cast before being hooked on the next cast. Four hits from one fish livens the day. A by-product of fly fishing for pike is that perch also tend to take the smaller flies and on the slower reaches of the river really small flies will attract chub, dace and even barbel.
TDAFPS have several stretches of water which are ideal for fly fishing for pike.
Give it a try you never know drowning maggots may be a thing of the past.
Details of Keith Snow's expertise can be seen on www.keithsnowflyfishing.co.uk
A NEW ANGLE ON PIKE
