Decided to try my hand at Pike fishing over the last few weeks, in order to keep the casting arm loose. My fishing buddy Simon provided flies, traces and the invitation to fish a private stretch of a well known southern chalk stream.
It did not take too long for a hungry Pike to seize the seven inch concoction of fur and marabou that passed its nose. Fifteen minutes later my first Pike was on the bank.

http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/crapcaster_bucket/Pikeys014.jpg

Returned to the same venue yesterday. Simon’s luck was certainly in, as demonstrated by a superb 19lb fish which fell to a fly mainly composed of metallic green flashabou.

http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/crapcaster_bucket/19lbPike008.jpg

Despite being out of season, several large Brown Trout attacked the huge Pike flies with vigour and put up a strong fight on our 9wt rods. All were carefully returned.

http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/crapcaster_bucket/19lbPike010.jpg

Hello, I’ve never tried Pike fishing, the angling club I’m in has Pike and they just murder and pink blob tied on a size 12 trout hook, pike fly fishing is becoming popular but I personally will stick to my trout and salmon fishing, I also heard that there may be a few more pike fishing competitions - especially at the Lake of Mentieh at winter…

Hi Profly. Must say that I have enjoyed the challenge and fun of fishing for Pike in the absence of Mullet and Bass around our shores.The teeth take a bit of getting used to though!!

Thought bass had sharp teeth, the other thing about Pike and Saltwater fly fishing is the size of the blooming flies… As I said, will definitely try Saltwater fly fshing. Mr Macleod, are you going to keep on doing Pike fly fishing?

By the look on Colin’s face I suspect he won’t pass up the opportunity when it arises! The acid test will be what happens once his beloved mullet start showing again!

Nice hat by the way! Mate,that Brownie must be around 3-5lb,it’s huge… Wouldn’t mind catching one on a size 24 black gnat. Where were you fishing or is it a secret?

It was a private water in Hampshire. Sworn to secrecy I’m afraid
The biggest brownies were close to 7lb.
Pike give the opportunity of some good winter sport but I will head back to the sea soon as the Mullet and Bass return.
Bass are surprisingly toothless, its their spines you must be wary of.
Colin

7lb! Kriky, somme nice pike too, 19lbs not a bad fish, see pike flies, do you just tie them too be as big and ugly as possible?

Big certainly helps but if the fly is too heavy then casting becomes a chore. The most successful pattern for us in the last few weeks was a fly of about eight inches in length consisting of an orange chennile body and white zonker tail. Simple but effective. Using synthetic materials will keep the fly weight down but the action of the rabbit tail is hard to beat. As for ugly, that’s one characteristic my flies are naturally blessed with.

8 flaming inches!!! Thanks for the reply, quite a simple fly, isn’t it.

Hello again, tried my hand at a pike fly and god it’s ugly, a lot of skill involved int tying them, I’ll show you how to tie it.

Hook: I used Kamasan B175 size 10 ( A bit small )
Thread: Uni 8/0 in Fire orange
1st tail: Krystal Flash - Pearl
2nd Tail: Two tone rabbit strips hot orange/ yellow
Body: Same as 2nd tail except i cut the strip in half and used it as a hackle.
Overwing: 2 chinese cock feathers - yellow
Gill covers: Red predator hair trimmed to make gill cover effects.
Eyes: 2 red epoxy eyes
Throat: Krystal Flash

This fly looks the business, tried a pike fly for a bit of fun. Colin, do you have to use a wire trace to fish pike flies.

Sounds like a very interesting pattern. Perhaps you could post a pic. As you suggested, the hook sounds a bit on the small side. I have been tying my Pike flies on size 4/0 hooks.
A wire trace of 8 to 9 inches is a must, considering the Pike’s razor sharp teeth.
Cheers
Colin

Hi, I will ry to, thanks for help Colin.

By the look on Colin

Very nice looking pike there Saltfly.  I live in West Virginia, U.S.A.  And we fly fish for Musky and that takes some very large flies as well.  Thanks for sharing mate.

Best Regards, Ken