I have caught more pike on Dahlberg divers w/rabbit strip tails than any other flies. The rabbit fur flexes in the water and for most part, looks like a fish moving.
Purple or yellow works best for me, here in Ohio waters.
The MICKEY FINN is a close second for me.
I can't wait to get back up to Canada for some monster pike.
I woke up this morning and as I was lying there in bed, watching the snow fall slowly out of my bedroom window, I started to think about pike on the fly. No real reason. I should have been thinking about snowboarding or some other winter sport - but pike fishing was on the brain. Not that I have ever specifically targeted pike. I did get the Nantucket Sleigh Ride from a pike once while fishing from a little rubber raft in one of Maine's Belgrade Lakes. The Sleigh Ride - maybe that is why the snow reminded me of pike.
I know a guy in Southern NH that once told me about some excellent spring time pike fishing in NH. I will dig up the e-mail that he sent to me sometime soon. Maybe he will share more info with me.
Anybody up for a Pike Clave?
I vow to give it a shot this spring. All I know is that the pike apparently spend time in the warmer shallow water soon after ice out. From what I have heard - the month after ice out is the best time to chase them with the fly. If true then that is a good deal because the schoolies probably will not have made it too far North at that point in time.
Yes you are right on the spring pike fishing if you can find the right
lake and bay. They will be spawning and are very aggressive. Dahlbergs and big marabou streamers work well. Another hint fish the lakes northern shallow inlets which will warm faster than the southern inlets. A sunny day of course is best to warm the water. Will need a small boat to fish, I don't think wading from shore will give a large probability of success. Probably an eight weight rod would be best to push through to the wind if needed and land that 10 plus pounder should you hit one
It's funny that you guys just started talking about pike because they are now about 3 blocks away from me in the Connecticut River. There are some small tributaries to this large river that hold spawning pike in the early spring, and I have told myself that there's no excuse for me not to get back into chasing them. Back when I was guiding in Maine, the best fly was a large red and white sea-ducer, with a yellow snake fly a close second. Mike, you're right about the Belgrade Lakes, there are some monsters up there! If anyone heads to Maine, I could point you in the right direction. Or if anyone wants to head this way to the Connecticut River, just say so. The river would definitely require the use of a boat, though.
Is it spring yet?
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