In the United Kingdom, the pike is a fish that is widely misunderstood, with many people mistakenly holding it responsible for the decline of other species in its habitat. From a fishing enthusiast’s perspective, targeting pike can be thrilling, but it’s not a task to be underestimated. With a fully grown pike sporting 720 razor-sharp teeth, it is a species that must be handled with extreme diligence and care.
Fly-fishing for pike has become an increasingly popular hobby in the UK. Most anglers who try their hand at pike fishing come from a trout fishing background. Although casting may be similar, there are likely to be significant differences in terms of tackle, leader setup, and flies. Nonetheless, the skills acquired in trout fishing provide a strong basis for pike fishing, helping the angler become proficient with fly rods and understand the distinctions between various rod types.
Getting Started
Pike are found in rivers, canals, and lakes throughout the United Kingdom. The initial step in pike fishing in the UK involves identifying their habitat and determining the permissible fishing locations. Some areas will not allow it due to waterside paths placing the public in danger of being hit by flies on a back cast.
Pike are the perfect coarse fish for adventurous fly-fishers to target. They are widespread in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Even relatively small rivers, ponds, and drains are home to pike of between 20 and 30 pounds, sometimes larger.
Fly-fishers from a trout fishing background may need to invest in some new tackle, particularly if they intend to cast big pike flies on lakes and reservoirs. However, in some situations, it may be possible to get away with casting smaller pike flies with 8-weight reservoir gear.
The optimal approach to mastering fly-fishing for pike involves enlisting the support of an experienced guide. A guide can assist beginners in selecting the right flies, lines, and depths. When novices successfully hook their first pike, the guide’s expertise becomes particularly valuable. They impart essential knowledge on how to safely net the catch, unhook it, and handle it without causing harm to themselves or undue stress to the fish. Given the pike’s formidable size, power, and numerous sharp teeth, unhooking it can be a daunting task for those not yet acquainted with the process.
Gaining Experience in Pike Fishing
Once anglers are comfortable, they can start looking at 9-weight rods, casting with larger flies and titanium traces. Pike fishing is a whole new world, and even a seasoned trout fisher will have plenty to learn. Once equipped with a fly-fishing rod, reel, traces, lines, flies, and a line tray, they will then need to look at the proper unhooking tools, since trout disengagers are simply too small and lack the necessary reach to be effective on pike.
Fly-fishing is an effective means of catching pike, which can be fished outside of the main game fish seasons. Pike continue to feed in very cold waters in the depths of winter. Many pike fly-fishers routinely out-fish lure and bait fishers, as pike often show a favorable response to an unconventional presentation. When fishing with a fly, anglers can employ a slow, near-neutral buoyancy approach, enabling them to methodically work their fly at various depths.
While pike may not engage in battles akin to tarpon, they can still put up a formidable fight. Although a certain amount of specialized gear is necessary, pike fishing is not an expensive pastime. Much of the tackle can be used to fish for pollock and bass as well.
While an 8-weight rod and line are not usually powerful and heavy enough to cast large pike flies safely, a 10-weight outfit will outgun most smaller fish. Experienced pike fishers advocate a 9’ 9-weight rod. Reels should be capable of accommodating the chosen fly line and have a capacity of at least 100 meters of 30-lb. backing comfortably. Ideally, anglers should consider a large-arbor alloy reel with a smooth disc drag, but a quality cassette system reel would also suffice.
Safety
There are important safety considerations fly-fishers need to keep in mind when fishing for pike. It is a species renowned for its razor-sharp teeth. Anglers should avoid putting their fingers into the pike’s mouth at all costs. There is an additional complication from pike bites, in that any cut will bleed profusely since the species’ teeth are coated with an anti-coagulant agent.
Hooks should be de-barbed to speed up unhooking time, giving the pike the best chance of survival. Despite their fearsome appearance, pike are delicate creatures that are easily harmed by rough handling or being kept out of water for long periods, particularly in warmer weather.