Pike it or lump it
THE leaves are starting to turn a little and there’s a drop in temperature, or at least the rain seems to be colder than it was last month.
As the autumn kicks in, I’ve realised that I’ve barely had a go at targeting pike on the fly this year.
For me, it’s probably the most fun in terms of tying the flies and the explosive takes you get on them but, for whatever reason, the smaller stuff has been at the forefront this year as I’ve been exploring the local rivers and lochs.
I’ll definitely get out trout fishing with some daddy-longlegs before the end of the month but I’m going to dust off the Christmas decorations and head out for some toothy critters in the next few weeks.
Pike will take a fly all year round but you may have seasonal restrictions on your local venue. Post-spawn (late spring/early summer) is a good time as they are looking to pack on weight and regain condition after the exertions of breeding.
As you head into the autumn, the water cools and, as we get close to the first frosts, pike start feeding hard in preparation for the leaner cold months ahead.
In the winter, just layer up and fish deep and slow with your flies and you should still get some rod-wrenching action.
The big lochs, particularly trout lochs, offer well-managed boats and a chance at a very big pike. Remember your life jacket though – most venues insist you have one and it’s not going to do you any good if you’re sitting on it rather than wearing it properly.
On some trout lochs I’ve seen pike up to 30lb come to the boat on very small flies, so don’t be tempted to always fish the biggest pattern you have. Big flies that move a lot of water might draw a bonus fish but sparsely tied flies are easier to cast all day and offer less chance to let the fish pry themselves loose when you do hook up.
You’ll never hook every pike that hits your fly but give yourself the best chance by checking the hook points are sharp – it’s useless fishing your favourite fly if the point has been dulled by wayward casts.
One of the best things about pike on the fluff is the simplicity. A short, stiff fluorocarbon leader about 5ft attached with an Albright knot to a 2ft or so wire leader that connects to the fly and you’re on your way.
I don’t really use clips much these days, a simple jam knot hasn’t let me down.
Patterns are straightforward enough – my box always has a whistler, some sparklers and a baitfish. They all shed water easily, allowing you to cast flies up to #6/0 without them feeling like a set of keys on the backcast.
As the trout season comes to a close, see if you can get hold of an experienced pike angler to show you the ropes on how to handle them and you’ll open up a whole new set of sharptoothed predators to hunt on the fly as the nights draw in.