Dan O’Neill is again once more this week with a function wealthy version of The River Whispers…
“Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” and search information from others”
This version I discuss the roll solid and a few methods during which we will put it to use. Our skilled this week is Chris Barry from Go fishing Eire and he speaks to us about his arrange for focusing on pike. We take a fast have a look at Rudd on the fly and my arrange. Our competitors winner is Brogan Brennan Quilty for his unbelievable catch, nicely completed Brogan, your prize is on its method.
Chris Barry on Pike
Our skilled this week is Chris Barry of Go fishing Eire, Chris can be a fellow APGAI-Eire member. I first met Chris about 2 years in the past and his enthusiasm for fishing was infectious. Chris has a really profitable method to educating individuals and has an enormous expertise in guiding which makes him one in every of Irelands high guides and instructors. I used to be delighted Chris agreed to talk to us, let’s see what he needed to say.
1. Inform us just a little bit about fly fishing for pike on lakes
Fly fishing for pike has turn out to be growing widespread over the previous few years. It’s extraordinarily accessible with lots of of nice venues situated all through the nation.
Fly fishing for pike is way from being a novelty. I’ve witnessed many events when the fly will out-fish typical lures. It’s my primary selection when focusing on pike on nonetheless waters.
Increasingly more trout fly anglers are giving it a attempt throughout the winter months and the normal spinning and lure anglers have found out that it catches lots of fish. Massive ones too.
Our Irish lakes, rivers and canals have nice shares of pike in numerous sizes. Some have the capability to supply very giant fish, so by no means set out beneath gunned tackle-wise.
2. Are you able to inform us just a little about pike fly patterns and is there any go to patterns or common patterns to start out us off?
Assume motion, color and measurement.
pike fly ought to have good motion within the water. It ought to pulse and dive and dart in method that entices the predator. All the time examine your fly within the water earlier than casting it. See the way it behaves and responds to totally different pulling strokes. See how one can deliver it to life although numerous retrieves and pulsing actions of the rod tip.
Completely different colors can work on totally different days. The previous adage of shiny fly on a shiny day/ darkish fly on a boring day usually holds true. However not all the time.
Take into account the dominant prey fish within the lake you’re fishing. Is it roach or perch? On some venues the pike reply to imitative patterns that “match the hatch”. On different venues, it’s the non-realistic, garish patterns that get the perfect response. Maintain an open thoughts and be able to experiment.
I prefer to have a silver or white sample, a black or very darkish sample and a shiny hearth tiger or orange sample. Generally, in crystal clear water, a practical sample e.g. perch could be the suitable selection. In darker or stained water, the unnatural colors can catch the fish’s eye. A glowing silverfish sort sample is all the time a superb starter fly. Any of the Bunny or Whistler patterns catch lots of fish.
Dimension of fly could be very, essential. I’ve caught some giant “meter plus” fish on tiny 3-inch flies, in the identical water the place a lot bigger mouthfuls have been ignored. Maintain experimenting in your native water till you discover what measurement and color of fly will get the pike in a biting temper.
3. When selecting a spot what do you search for, what is taken into account excellent water?
When fishing for pike from a ship on the lake, I prefer to take a drift alongside the weedy margins and solid the fly simply to the sting of the weed mattress. If you happen to’re unfamiliar with the water, casting at weed beds, reeds and marginal drop offs is an effective place to start out.
Massive pike will usually maintain up in deeper water, away from the margins. These larger fish could be laborious to pin down with out the help of a fish finder. They’re following the shoals of bigger prey fish – bream and hybrids. However in the event you can monitor down the shoals of prey fish, get able to solid with confidence. Work the sides of the shoals.
In my expertise, locations that look “pikey” normally are. In flowing rivers or streams, edges of reed beds, edges of decaying lily pads in winter, islands – all of them have an enchantment as pike holding haunts. As a fly caster, typically it’s nicer to have a goal or function to solid at, reasonably than casting onto extensive open water.
4. What method ought to we arrange, chief size, tippet diameter?
Not like fly fishing for trout on loughs, you don’t want to make use of an extended chief. There are two causes.
First, in my expertise, pike aren’t tackling shy and gained’t be delay by the fly line in the identical method as a trout. You don’t have to create an extended distance between fly line and the fly.
Secondly, pike flies are sometimes fairly large, cumbersome, and tied with man-made fibres. This makes them extra wind resistant. A shorter chief will enhance the turnover and help casting, particularly on windy days (the perfect pike fishing days).
To make the chief, I usually use a 4-foot size of 25-30lb fluorocarbon. Tie a loop in a single finish and fix to the fly line with a loop-to-loop connection. On the different finish, tie on a minimal 12-inch size of wire tippet (There are numerous knotable wires available on the market). I prefer to maintain the wire tippet fairly lengthy as a giant pike can inhale a fly into the again of its mouth. By no means use quick, 6-inch wire traces. You threat shedding each fly and fish. To the tip of the wire tippet tie on a dependable lure clip or just tie the wire direct to the fly. I just like the cross-lock model clips. Be certain that it’s robust, closes securely and doesn’t pop open simply beneath stress.
If you happen to don’t really feel assured making your individual chief, there are some prepared assembled pike leaders available on the market now which may very well be a may place to start out. I’ve used the Airflo Predator poly leaders with wire tippet and discover them fairly good.
5. Do you utilize a floating line or intermediate, as freshmen what can be finest for us?
I discover a floating fly line with a sink tip, or a straight intermediate line will cowl most conditions in water as much as 10 ft deep. For shallower canals, lakes and rivers (lower than 6 ft deep) a floating line might be positive. There may be some weight within the chief, wire hint and pike fly which needs to be sufficient to get you into the strike zone.
When fishing deeper lakes (20–30-foot zone), you might also want a full sink line e.g. DI6 and DI7 to get right down to the fish. In colder water, or in the event that they’re in a dour temper, they are often sluggish to chase a fly, so that you’ll have to get your fly “of their face” to impress a response. I typically additionally use these sinking traces together with a buoyant, floor popper sort fly. On the retrieve, the burden of the sinking line attracts the fly downwards, however on the pause the fly’s buoyancy causes it to rise again in the direction of the floor. This generally is a lethal methodology on sure days.
Depth is a vital consideration when focusing on pike on the fly, particularly the bigger fish. Be ready to make modifications throughout your fishing session. I like to start out larger within the water, then regularly go deeper till bites materialise. On some days you’ll discover all of the pike are holding on the identical depth. Discover that depth and sport could be hectic.
6. What weight / motion rod can be appropriate for fly fishing lakes
If you happen to intend to focus on large fish with large flies from a ship, then a ten# weight rod with matching line is the perfect instrument. It has enough spine to ship the flies the required distances in windy circumstances. For many smaller stillwaters, a 9# rod will do the job. I’ve each 9# and 10# weight fly rods in my assortment and revel in utilizing each. Regardless of the place you fly fish for pike in Eire, all the time be able to cope with a giant fish. They’ll flip up in stunning locations. Even small rivers and canals. So by no means exit beneath gunned. Trout fly rods aren’t appropriate for pike fly fishing. They solely end in a chronic battle inflicting pointless stress to the fish.
The fly rod is simply pretty much as good because the angler casting it. When pike fly fishing it’s a good suggestion to be taught to haul and double haul. These casting strategies will assist improve line velocity and enhance your capacity to attain the specified distance in a managed method. Hauling strategies can bit a bit difficult to be taught for a newbie, so search assist from an skilled caster or teacher.
7. Might you give us one newbie tip?
Pike have distinct feeding spells throughout any day. If the spot you’re fishing seems good, ticks the bins, and fills you with confidence, however doesn’t produce, don’t write it off. Attempt it once more later within the day, particularly if climate circumstances (notably wind) have modified. There’s in all probability a fish there.
And one more- if it’s a tricky day, earlier than altering your fly, attempt altering the model and price of retrieve. Lengthy sluggish pulls, then quick, snappy tugs. In colder climate, pauses are extraordinarily necessary. Don’t be afraid to let your fly hold for so long as 10 seconds. That is likely to be simply sufficient to show a half-hearted comply with right into a scintillating strike.
Like several sort of fishing, the climate will pay an necessary half in creating excellent pike fishing circumstances. An east wind is usually unhealthy information, and bites might be few and much between. Give me an overcast day, with the specter of rain, a pleasant westerly breeze making a chop on the water and I’ll be casting with confidence. Examine the climate forecast. If a chilly entrance is approaching, attempt to get on water within the closing 48 hours earlier than it hits. That is the time when large pike go on the hunt.
All the time deal with pike rigorously and gently. Carry a correct lengthy nostril forceps or pliers and bolt cutters. If you happen to can, use single barbless hooks. Play your fish firmly, preserve fixed stress and also you’ll land simply as many as with barbed hooks.
Go fishing…
Programs
Dan might be working many programs in 2025… I prefer to maintain my programs from 1-4 anglers so that they get essentially the most out of the course and I get to spend the correct amount of time with every particular person. This makes it extra inexpensive too because the course price could be break up 4 methods. If you happen to don’t have a full group don’t fear simply point out to me that you simply want to be a part of a gaggle and I’ll make up the numbers.
The course dates for the “Preparing for the trout season” course are listed beneath.
If you’re ship me an electronic mail at [email protected] and I’ll ship you on the course content material.
Preparing for trout season
- eleventh January
- 18th January
- twenty fifth January
Pike and Perch on the fly
- twelfth January
- nineteenth January
- twenty sixth January
Casting clinics
- eleventh and twelfth January
- 18th and nineteenth January
- twenty fifth and twenty sixth January
