3 reasons why fly-fishing is tops for big, early-season pike

#3  THE FIGHT

Once that big pike is hooked, you’re in for a thrilling, if ultimately one-sided fight. I’m no Lefty Kreh, but I’ve landed every single 30-inch-plus pike I’ve ever hooked on the fly. I’ve never had a fly thrown, or a reel jam or one of my homemade wire leaders break—not even when I was a total tenderfoot. That’s because fly gear is simple and reliable, with the perfect characteristics to break the spirit of even the most pugnacious northern.

After the strike, with the line in your hand and directly connected to the fish, you can judge the amount of pressure to apply, and whether to pull in line or let the fish run. Once the fish runs enough to take up the slack (as the big ones usually do), you can crank it in on the single-action reel, which has virtually no chance of mechanical failure. If your drag is too weak when the fish runs, you can simply apply extra pressure to the spool with your hand.

Used skilfully, an 8- or 9-weight fly outfit is a formidable pike-fighting instrument. It’s also surprisingly forgiving of operator error or rookie mistakes. If you fumble with the line and reel, for example, there’s never any slack in the line. That’s because the nine-foot rod’s soft tip maintains at least some tension to keep the sharp hook stuck tight in the pike’s mouth.

When it’s time to bear down, holding the rod low and to the side engages the powerful butt section. That applies tremendous pressure, while the soft tip continues to cushion those infamous last-minute pike antics as you direct the bruiser’s head right into the net.

Associate editor Scott Gardner is an expert at tying killer pike flies.

For more tips on fly fishing for northerns, go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/pikeonthefly.