Saskatchewan’s Cree River belongs on every pike angler’s bucket list—especially if you fly fish. Here’s why

#5  You’ll test your gear and skills—and you’ll pass

If you’re used to casting nymphs for trout or poppers for bass, fishing for Cree River pike will launch you into a new world of excitement and challenge. Whether you’re flinging big streamers (or tossing spinnerbaits), these aren’t delicate fish. They hammer you offering with jaw-snapping force and fight like crocodiles, shaking their heads and rolling in the weeds. Your gear and skills will be tested. The other three anglers in my group already had experience with saltwater fly fishing—including salmon, striped bass and tarpon—so they were instantly up to speed.

But if you’ve never targeted big fish on the fly, I’ve got good news: There are so many fish in this system that you quickly get a lot experience. You’ll have many opportunities to learn and perfect the required skills, which include: casting four- to six-inch long streamers on 8- or 9-weight rods, strip-setting your hook into bony pike jaws and managing long, heavy, powerful fish on a fly rod. I know this because when I first fly-fished for trophy pike 15 years ago, I was in over my head, despite 25 years of fly-fishing experience. But within a few hours, I got the hang of it.

Whether you’re an experienced fly angler chasing your personal best or a relative newcomer looking to cut your teeth on big predators, this system delivers. Shallow, forgiving water and aggressive fish will level you up quickly, while the sheer size of these fish will challenge even seasoned anglers.