Our gathering took place today, a day after a cold front and substantial amount of rain had passed through the area. Not the best conditions for pike, but what are ya gonna do?
Our first signs of pike didn't happen until mid-afternoon when a fish bit through my 30 pound fluoro tippet on the strike like it was butter. I rerigged with Tyger Wire, and two casts later was into another fish that this time stayed on. Not huge, but a good start and nice tussel on the 9 weight.
I had contact with one more fish late in the day....it was a class size larger than the first, and only stayed hooked long enough for me to see its substantial size. I'll be seeing that one in my sleep tonight.
I had planned to try some of the flies that Pete had sent me and some of my own, but I really didn't need to change from Adrian's Daredevle flatwing from last year's pike swap. It did a fine job of getting some attention.
My only real regret was the weather....could have been better, could have been worse. I feel that if we'd had a few days in a row of the sun we experienced today, things would have been a notch better with more action for everyone involved. And speaking of weather, John and Adrian, check yourselves for windburn. I got my share.
Nice to fish with John for the first time, and always nice to fish with Adrian. I think I know where I'll be next weekend. :devil:
Our first signs of pike didn't happen until mid-afternoon when a fish bit through my 30 pound fluoro tippet on the strike like it was butter. I rerigged with Tyger Wire, and two casts later was into another fish that this time stayed on. Not huge, but a good start and nice tussel on the 9 weight.
I had contact with one more fish late in the day....it was a class size larger than the first, and only stayed hooked long enough for me to see its substantial size. I'll be seeing that one in my sleep tonight.
I had planned to try some of the flies that Pete had sent me and some of my own, but I really didn't need to change from Adrian's Daredevle flatwing from last year's pike swap. It did a fine job of getting some attention.
My only real regret was the weather....could have been better, could have been worse. I feel that if we'd had a few days in a row of the sun we experienced today, things would have been a notch better with more action for everyone involved. And speaking of weather, John and Adrian, check yourselves for windburn. I got my share.
Nice to fish with John for the first time, and always nice to fish with Adrian. I think I know where I'll be next weekend. :devil: