Pike / Muskie Fly Fishing

The idea of fly-fishing for muskie just isn’t an innovative new one. Publications in print in the 19th century, as well as as a matter of fact earlier, explain the idea of catching the principal freshwater predator by means of hooks dressed with cocktails of fur and feather. Even more recently fly-fishing for muskie has grown-up in acceptance, not only as a replacement to the customary techniques used by muskie fishermen, but additionally being a inventive challenge for an increasing variety of sport fly fishermen rising from the more established game angling background.

We wish to support the use of proper fly Fishing Tackle and equipment which is suitable for the duty, plus most significantly of all, to promote a greater knowledge of how muskie may be handled in a manner that  minimises any prospect of harm either to your fish or the angler.

Facts in addition to Fiction:

The pike carries a deserved reputation for being one of the most terrible predator in our lakes, lochs and rivers. However, at the same time as these are without doubt a highly evolved and capable hunter, pike are also very delicate fish which must remain handled with care and respect.  Pike do not attack or kill for pleasure, but will just eat to maintain themselves. They do not throw away energy by chasing prey that is certainly hard to catch if an easier option exists. Muskie are scavengers, and this is demonstrated perfectly through how many specimen fish caught every year on dead fish baits. Over and over again they’re going to target weak or dying fish – which explains why fly Fishing Flies or lures planned to mimic these are so successful.

Pike Rods, Reels and Lines:

Casting large flies is made less difficult by means of the use of heavy lines, in addition to particular Pike taper lines with an exaggerated weight forward profile are now available. Another choice is to utilize a shooting head, but whatever fly line you select it’s vital be sure that your fly fishing reel may hold a minimum of a hundred metres of good quality backing.

Pike are capable of making quick but very fast runs, and thus it is highly recommended make use of a reel with a excellent drag system which will help to absorb any swift charge made by the fish.

Fly fishing for pike demands the usage of robust rods in an effort to cast the heavy lines necessary to present large flies. A 9 or 10 foot rod designed to cast a 10 weight fly line will also have a sufficient amount backbone to restrain big muskie. Muskie landed plus returned into the water swiftly, and with the minimum amount of fuss, will recover far more quickly than muskie which are played to a standstill on light weight tackle.

This really is especially true in warm weather when oxygen levels are low, and even more in Trout waters where muskie grow to specimen size far more rapidly nevertheless tend to have a shorter life due to their bulk from eating rich trout! There is no place in modern angling for line class fishing where glory was previously given in support of landing specimen fish using the lightest line possible.

Pike Leaders and Tippets

When using large flies turnover is helped using a relatively short leader and many pike fly fishermen exploit a leader of 2 metres (6 feet) or less.  The selection between a tapered or level leader is largely a matter of personal choice.  However, their breaking strain must be a minimum 12 lbs. and a leader having a breaking strain closer to 20 lbs. may possibly prove to be more manageable.

When fly fishing for muskie the use of a wire trace is vital at all times. Muskie have enormously sharp teeth which will slice through other materials. Some have recommended the use of hard nylon monofilament in a heavy breaking strain, whilst conceding that occasional bite-offs were inevitable. This simply is not good enough as the array of different trace wires now existing provides the pike angler quite a few trustworthy options.

Nylon coated traces are easily fused using the naked flame from your cigarette lighter and uncoated wires manufactured from as many as 49 strands can be available, and these are really supple and capable of being knotted.

• Leaders and wire tippets need to be checked frequently for any signs of damage, in particular after catching a muskie. Any abrasions in the leader or signs of the wire having become kinked or frayed should lead to instantaneous replacement.

• Wire traces require to be over 12 inches long.

Knots, Links and Swivels:

Some anglers opt to utilize a tiny swivel to connect the leader to the wire tippet, or some form of snap link to attach the fly to the trace. It is important to make connections which will stand up to the riggers of frequent fly fishing fly casting, along with the strain of playing large muskie. Snaps and swivels ought to be of the highest quality you may acquire and must have a minimum breaking strain of 30 lbs. or more.

It is possible to make use of knots to build all the necessary connections.  The leader ought to be attached to fly line using a needle (or nail) knot and also wire tippet connected to the leader using an Albright special. Depending on your choice of wire, there are a selection of methods with which you can attach the eye of the snap link or a hook to the wire tippet:

• Single strand wire; Haywire twist.
• Nylon coated wire; twist melt (using a lighter to fuse both ends together).

• Uncoated 49 strand wire, Pike fly wire or Braided wire; some may be knotted using Bowline knot, if unsure use a tiny double sleeved crimp.

• Uncoated 7 strand wire; small double sleeved crimp, or number of twists.

Pike Hooks:

Most muskie fly fishing flies are tied on large single hooks. To assist unhooking, use barbless hooks or debarb the hook first. It is easy to remove barbs by crushing them down with pliers, or filing them flat. Some flies possess a weed guard, which minimise the danger of snagging up in weedy water. Many saltwater fly patterns will catch pike. However, it’s best to avoid stainless-steel hooks as these won’t rot away in the event your’re unable to retrieve a fly.

Other Pike Essentials:

A large landing net is vital. Although many muskie anglers land their muskie by hand, the length and adaptability of a fly rod makes this less doable for the fly fisherman. Round or pear shaped nets should have a diameter of a minimum of 30 inches. Alternatively a bow framed triangular net with 42 inch arms maybe used. The net should have a soft knotless mesh.

Hook Removal:

You will need to carry a pair of long nosed forceps for hook removal. Hook-out tools are a very good substitute, and many pike fishermen find that long nosed pliers give good purchase on the hook shank. In the event a fish is awkwardly hooked, a pair of side cutters will enable the hook to be cut and removed in two pieces.

Once the pike is in the landing net, you may find that you can remove the hook without lifting the fish from the water.  For those who don’t intend to weigh or photograph the fish, it can then be released directly from the net, thus getting rid of the requirement for any unnecessary handling.

If you do remove the netted pike from the water it has to be prevented from harming itself by thrashing about or slipping. In most circumstances an unhooking mat is going to be essential to protect the fish whilst it is on the ground or in the bottom of your boat. As an alternative bubble wrap maybe used, but on no account should the fish be laid upon a tough or rough surface.

With the pike laid on it’s back, kneel astride it to manage their movement after which you can slide the fingers of your left hand under the gill cover. Taking care not to touch the gill rakers, slide your fingers forward until they rest on the inside of the pikes lower jaw. Light upward pressure will encourage the fish to open its mouth so the hook could be removed.
If desired the pike may be weighed along with photographed before returning it to the water. Always use weigh slings – or an unhooking mat that doubles as a weigh sling. Never weigh a muskie by suspending it from your scales by means of it’s chin. While taking photos ensure the pike is kept under control plus hold it close to the mat -  in case it slips.

Remember the saying: Minimum Handling = Maximum Conservation and Mimimum Damage.

Safe Returns:

When returning muskie to the water it truly is important to support them in an upright position until they really are ready to swim away. This can be done either by holding both flanks, or lightly gripping the wrist of the tail.

Failure to support the fish until they have recovered often leads to phenomena called gassing up. This occurs due to a build up of lactic acid in the blood all of which cause the fish to belly up. If the pike shows any signs of rolling onto its back, simply continue to support it until it will take care of itself in an upright position. You may witness that the fish expelling bubbles from its mouth or gills and this is a good sign that it is correcting its natural buoyancy satisfactorily.

About the Author

Andy is CEO of The Essential Fly, a quality manufacturer of fly fishing flies including salmon flies/salmon fly, trout flies/trout fly, fly fishing tackle and gear and fly tying materials. Andy is a passionate fisherman and always looking at new materials and flies and their effects on the quarry fish.

Carving a Net Needle