Everything differs by area; when to fish, what gear to use, how to cast, when to cast and what fly to use and so on. The definitive goal of fly-fishing for pike is to imitate a wounded fish or other prey so closely that it fools the pike into thinking that its next meal is being served. Pike flies today come in a wide variety of colors and fashions. Most are brightly colored and resemble small bait fish for example perch, roach or trout.
Fly fishing for pike is relatively new in Ireland. Pike on the fly is one of the most exciting ways of fishing. Any area where the water suddenly drops off to deeper levels is likely to hold good sized Pike. There is no closed season for Pike fishing but there is a bag limit of 1 fish per angler per day and all those over 50cm in lenght must be returned to the water, alive. Saying that loughfishingbuddies practice a catch and release policy. Pike are now one of the most highly sought after sport fish species in Europe and there has also been a huge increase in the popularity of pike fishing among Irish anglers. Pike are the largest of the freshwater predators and are abundant in all Irish watercourses from small to large loughs as well as rivers and canals. The ideal outfit is a “minimum of #9 rod with a #10 line and a #10 rod with a #11 line for the bigger flies and waters that are known to hold big pike”
Pike flies can easily be tied and come in a wide variety of colors and fashions. Most are brightly colored and resemble small bait fish for example small perch or roach. A slow drifting boat and good amount of skill and a lot of patience is all that is required to catch these amazing predators.
So if it pike you are after on the fly – why not give it a go.
Try the fly the next time you go pike fishing you may well be surprised with results.
My recent pike angling trips were to a lough located between the towns of Collinstown and Castlepollard in County Westmeath. The lough holds stocks of large pike which can be caught using various legal methods. It was a great moment for me to watch my angling guest getting stuck into a number of big pike and even more surprising for him as he entered the Loughfishingbuddies hall of fame with his first 20lb pike on the fly, what an adrenaline rush.
My next pike angling trip will be to Glaslough Castle Leslie which is located in County Monaghan. The lake has been managed with care by the Leslie family for generations & is considered to be one of the best-preserved lakes in Ireland. In 1991, a specimen pike weighing 38lb 9oz (17.5kg) was caught in the lake and broke the 18-year official Irish record. My turn perhaps…
If you would like more information about this article, please feel free to contact me.
Damien Willis
E-mail info@loughfishingbuddies.com