pike on the fly?

[bertberg]

Hi all,

with the new season approaching, I was wondering whether anyone has experience targeting northerns on the fly in New England. It seems that according to fisheries websites there are plenty of lakes and ponds that are stocked with northerns and tigers, but I rarely hear about someone catching any (except for ice fishing). Anyone has experience w. consistently catching new england pike?

[titleguy]

When I lived in VT, I used to fish for pike in Otter Creek quite frequently. 7 wt w/ a size 2 yellow deceiver or red/white seaducer was the ticket. A big one in the creek would be 10 lbs. Of course, up here in Maine P&$* is a very bad word. That being said, Belgrade Lakes are supposed to be good.

[e-sea-e]

I have never targeted them on the fly. they can be found in the boston area: the charles and the A1 site in westboro are 2 options, Im sure there are others. Id suggest any kind of large baitfish imitation fished in quick short strips. when I was in vt, and locally, i found an excellent lure was a big green spinnerbait with an orange colorado blade. it was ugly as sin, but the pike loved it. try those to colors together in a fly.

[Ray]

A large all white deceiver has worked for me.

[loon]

Vermont in general has excellent Pike fishing. Lake Champlain and it's tributaries are full of good Pike spots; I've seen two over 42" in the last 4 years. Every year I catch dozens on various streamers with white my go to color. They are in shalow water early and late in the year and are in the deep wed beds during mid-summer. Use a tyable wire or 30# mono bite tippet.

[dudley]

I fish for them in the Connecticut River.
There is a short prespawn season where the pike stack-up at marsh mouths, in anticipation of the spring floods. This is a great time to target them.
The river has begun it's flood stage, so the pike will soon have other things on their minds.
Season over... for now

[Breakwater]

This was on a split bamboo 3- wieght.

--126-3-

[dlangan]

Wow! The bamboo was no doubt "split" after the catch. But was it before as well? --125-3

I have targeted pike on the fly in the Hudson. They'll chase herring in very shallow water in the spring.... in the dark....

[Breakwater]

Sure was,

Try false casting this. --125-3

(unfortunately I cant take credit for these pics, they came from a member. Man, i hate disclaimers.)

[loon]

As the previous shots show, Pike don't mind the taste of Pike. Note the scars on this 33" fish from Lake Champlain.

[e-sea-e]

holy cow, what a monster!!!!!!!! how big was that thing?

[dlangan]

Those are great shots! Thanks for sharing! Last year one of my buds Don had a schoolie on and then suddenly something had the schoolie. His line was running, rod doubled. It looked certain when he ran out of line the fish would pull him and his yak under like a bobber. "Lucky" for him the hook pulled out before the line ran out.... not... :rolleyes:

[titleguy]

Loon- I fyou're in the Middlebury area try below the Pulp Mill Bridge in Weybridge or below Twin Bridges in Weybridge- get those size, wading. :brow

[jim pod]

Lake Bomossen in Castleton VT is a blast at the northern end in the spring with BIG orange streamers , they are not all that picky. Also the pond behind beleive it or not the Chestnut hill mall had monsters in it 20 years ago again goldfish is the pattern.