Two guys, who became fishing
buddies, give the reader the advantage of the "want-to-be"
who really does learn to put all the parts together. And that
is exactly what they do for you. It covers pike gear, favorite
pike flies (with photos and instructions,) how to find and
catch trophy pike, and planning a trip to Canada
the pike angler's mecca.
It also contains great fly fishing stories.
Here is an example:
"I was wading along a flat, casting into
about two feet of water. To tell the truth, I wasn't paying
very much attention. There were better areas to fish, and
as soon as some other anglers moved on, I planned to leave
the flats for more productive water. Then I got a strike.
Not the greedly little tug that meant a small trout had
managed to sneak in front of its betters to gulp down
my streamer. Not the solid belt followed by a strong
pumping run that meant that I'd hooked a decent trout.
The strike was faster, and it was hard.
In a heartbeat, I was looking with
great alarm at my rod, which had assumed the shape of
a horseshoe and seemed to be trying very hard to further
transform itself into a Hula-Hoop. My line hummed as it
cut a lightning-fast zigzag through the water. My poor little
trout reel howled, and line disappeared from it at a rate that
should have caused a backlash. Six-pound tippet suddenly
seemed like a very bad idea.
Then things started to get exciting.
For the next fifteen minutes, my first-ever northern pike
proceeded to show me who was boss. It methodically
beat the hell out of my tackle, and when it finished with
the tackle, it started in on me. On four occasions, I got it
within fifteen feet of me. On four occasions, it found
strength for another run. Finally, it rolled, gasping, at
my feet."
One of the things especially interesting
to me was state-by-state pike fishing information, including
top spots, and state records as of 1993. Also, the tactics
differ from one kind of pike to another. And from one
season to the next. There are tons of photos, black and
white, so the reader does know these guys are as good as
they claim.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pike on the Fly,
and I'm not a piker ... pun not intended. If you have fly fished for
northerns, tigers, or muskies and want to improve your catching
or if you think you might just want to try it, look no further.
It's all here.
If you have ever been, or live where, pike
are available, you can't pass this by. It's a winner. Pike on
the Fly Soft cover, $16.95.~ DB
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