NORTHERNS & THIER RELATIONS
Northern Pike Esox lucius
Grass Pickerel Esox americanus vermigulatus
Chain Pickerel Esox niger
Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus americanus
Muskellenge Esox masquinongy
Ohio Muskellenge Esox masquinongy ohioensis
Northern Muskellenge Esox masquinongy imagulatos
Black Spotted Pike Esox rerchesti
FAVORITE FORAGE FISH FOR NORTHERNS & THEIR FRIENDS
Creek Chub, Dace, Blacknose Dace, Brassy Minnow, Central Mud Minnow, Fat Head Minnow, Silvery Minnow, Grizzly Shad, Hickory Shad, Blackchin Shiner, Emerald Shiner, Golden Shiner and Rainbow Smelt to name but a few.
RECOMMENDED TACKLE FOR NORTHERNS
Eight, nine or ten weight rods, with fighting butts. I prefer a 908. Reels with good drags and 200 yards of backing. Floating Lines, Intermediate Sinking Lines, Uniform Sink Lines Type I, II, III, IV & V. Sink Tip Lines Type I, II, III, IV & V.
Leader should be built to turn over large flies. Nylon coated leaders are needed in some cases. In some cases use a bite-tippet of 40 to 60 lbs.
ANGLER’S NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Many of the books state that pre-spawn feeding takes place in water that is 34 to 40 degrees and that the spawning takes place in water that is 40 to 46 degrees. My experiences on Fort Peck and Castle Rock Lakes in Montana have found this to be false. I have yet to discover any significant numbers of Northerns at such low temperatures. I have found that the Northerns start their pre-spawn feeding in 50 degree water and the spawning is taking place when the water reaches the mid 50’s. I have found the hottest fishing to be when the water temperatures are between 55 and 62 degrees here in Montana. It may very well be that the Northerns develop patterns that are distinct to the area they inhabit.
As a sideline, lakes that have good carp population, one can often find the carp in the shallows if you find you are early and the Northerns have yet to arrive. Carp that range from six to twenty-five pounds can be lots of fun on a fly rod!!
FLIES FOR NORTHERNS, GAR & OTHERS
BROWN DIVER, TUBE
- Tube: White or Yellow Plastic
- Thread: White A or Gray
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mason Mono
- Tail: Brown Rabbit Strip, with 6 strands of Root Beer Krystal Flash per side
- Collar: Gold Rabbit strip wrapped 1-1/2 turns
- Tying Note: Whip finish, super glue and then place a plastic (bag) skirt around the collar
- Diving Collar: Brown Deer Hair
- Head-Rear Half: Brown deer hair with gold–red–gold deer hair stacked on top only
- Head-Front Half: Gold deer hair.
Trimming Notes: Flat on the bottom with the side tapered back, kind of flared out a bit. The top is trimmed curved flat to the base of the diving collar. Silicone the diving collar and complete any fine trimming that is needed, then silicone the bottom of the imitation. When everything is dry remove the plastic skirt.
Final note: The over-all length of the imitation can range from three to seven inches. This pattern can also be tied on Tiemco 8089 NP or Mustad 3407
TUBE FLIES FOR GAR
WHITE NYLON GAR MINNOW-TUBE
- Tube: White or Yellow, plastic
- Thread: White A
- Trailing Hook: Wrapped with silver motion Mylar /with mono weed guard and a long connection tube between the hook and the fly
- Wing: White Nylon, combed out, & four strips of silver motion Mylar on either side
- Head: White nylon tied bullet head style, epoxy coated
- Eyes: Doll eyes, Yellow with black center
Over-all length between three and eight inches
FOAM HEAD NYLON MINNOW, OLIVE, TUBE
- Tube: White plastic
- Thread: White A
- Wing: White Nylon with Olive Nylon over the top, with one strand of silver motion Mylar on either side
- Throat: Red nylon tied on the bottom only
- Collar: Silver Motion Mylar
- Head: Foam Red, with blue and white band and White doll eyes with black center trimmed flat on the body, over-all length between 3 & 8 inches
OLIVE NYLON GAR MINNOW, TUBE
- Tube: White plastic
- Thread: White A
- Head: Tied bullet style, White Nylon-colored Olive on top with red colored throat
- Body: White Nylon, Olive on top, with gray side and white belly, with two strands of silver motion Mylar per side. Over-all length between 3 & 8 inches
BUNNY BUGS FOR NORTHERNS
Notes: The following patterns may be tied on tube, white or clear plastic, or brass. They can also be tied on Mustad 34007 sizes: 1/0 to 4/0.
RED BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White, plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0 - 4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb mono
- Weed guard: 25 lb Mason Mono
- Tails: Red Rabbit strip with black tips
- Body: Red Rabbit strip with black tips, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Yellow with black centers
CHARTRUESE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White, plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0 to 4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tails: Chartreuse Rabbit strip
- Body: Chartreuse Rabbit strip, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Yellow with Black center
YELLOW BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0 to 4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Yellow Rabbit strip
- Body: Yellow Rabbit strip, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Yellow with Black center
BLACK BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0 to 4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Black Rabbit strip
- Body: Black Rabbit strip, wrapped
- Head: White, epoxy
- Eyes: 3D, Red with Black center
WHITE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: White Rabbit Strip
- Body: White Rabbit Strip, wrapped
- Head: White Thread, epoxy
- Eyes: 3D, Red with Black center
ORANGE BUNNY BUG, TWO TONED
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Orange Rabbit strip with Black tips
- Body: Orange Rabbit strip, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Hot Orange with Black Center
TWO-TONED CHARTRUESE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tails: Chartreuse Rabbit Strip with black tips
- Body: Same as the tail, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Yellow with Black center
PURPLE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tails: Purple Rabbit Strip
- Body: Purple Rabbit Strip, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Red with Black Center
TWO-TONED PURPLE / FL FUCHSIA BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Purple/Fl Fuchsia Rabbit Strip
- Body: Purple/Fl Fuchsia Rabbit strip, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: 3D, Red with Black Center
TWO-TONED BLACK/FL HOT PINK BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Black/Fl Hot Pink Rabbit strip
- Body: Same as the tail, wrapped
- Head: White Thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Red with Black center
BLACK/OLIVE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 1/0-4/0
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Two-Toned Olive Rabbit strip with Black Tips
- Body: Same as tail, wrapped
- Head: White thread, epoxy
- Eyes: Decal, Yellow with black centers
SPECIAL ORANGE & CHARTRUESE TUBE BUNNY BUG
- Tube: White or Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Butt Loop: 25 lb Mono
- Tail: Chartreuse Rabbit strip with Black Tips
- Body: Same as tail, wrapped
- Head: 1-1/2 turns of Orange Rabbit
- Eyes: Decal, Yellow with Black Center
Note: Over-all length of the imitation may vary from 2-1/2 to 6 inches
NORTHERN BLACK MAGIC
- Tube: Clear or White Plastic
- Thread: Clear Ultra or White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Tails: Tied in the round—Red super hair with Silver motion Mylar
- Skirt: Black Bucktail----tied in the round
- Collar: Red Body Fur
- Head: Opal Black Estaz
- Eyes: Doll, Yellow with Black Center, trim out area in the Estaz on either side for the eyes and apply with epoxy
NORTHERN WHITE MAGIC
- Tube: Clear or White Plastic
- Thread: Clear Ultra or White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Tails: Tied in the round—White Super Hair with Pearl K-Flash
- Skirt: White Bucktail
- Collar: White Body Fur
- Head: White Estaz
- Eyes: Doll, Yellow with Black center
NORTHERN YELLOW MAGIC
- Tube: Clear or White Plastic
- Thread: Clear Ultra or White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Tails: Tied in the round-----Yellow Super Hair with gold K-Flash
- Skirt: Black Bucktail
- Collar: Yellow Body Fur
- Head: Black Estaz
- Eyes: Doll, Yellow with Black center
NORTHERN CHARTRUESE MAGIC
- Tube: Clear or White Plastic
- Thread: Clear Ultra or White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Tails: Chartreuse Super Hair, with Silver motion Mylar, tied in the round
- Skirt: Yellow Bucktail
- Collar: Chartreuse Body Fur
- Head: Yellow Estaz
- Eyes: Doll, White with Black Centers
NORTHERN ORANGE MAGIC
- Tube: White or Clear Plastic
- Thread: Clear Ultra or White A
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Tails: Orange Super Hair with Pearl K-Flash, tied in the round
- Skirt: Black Bucktail
- Collar: Orange Body Fur
- Head: Black Estaz
- Eyes: Doll, Yellow with Black Center
NORTHERN NATURAL MOUSE
- Tube: White or Clear Plastic
- Thread: White A
- Hook: Tiemco 8089 NP Sizes: 2-6-10
- Hook: Mustad 34007 Sizes: 2-4/0
- Weed guard: 25 lb Mono, as desired
- Tail: Brown Ultra Chenille, burn the tip and silicone
- Body: Natural colored Gray Deer Hair, with the natural tips pointing back trimmed flat on the bottom, silicone the bottom
- Ears: Brown Deer Hair, shaped and silicone
- Head: Natural Deer Hair, Trimmed
- Eyes: 3D, Silver with black center
THE ABUSED MOUSE----BLACK & BLUE
- Tube: White or Clear Plastic
- Thread: White A
- Tail: Gray Bucktail
- Body: Alternating bands of Black and Blue Deer Hair with the natural tips pointing towards the back
- Legs: Two set of two orange rubber strands per side
- Head: Orange Deer Hair
- Eyes: 3D Red with black centers, epoxy
MULTI-COLOR NORTHERN MOUSE
- Tube: White or clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Tail: Brown ultra chenille, burn the tip and then silicone
- Body-Bottom: Brown Deer Hair
- Body-Top: With the natural tips pointing to the rear, Brown, Orange, Chartreuse, Blue, Red Orange and Brown Deer Hair
- Legs: Two sets of two rubber legs, knotted per side, Red Perfect Rubber
- Head: Spun, Flared Deer Hair Brown with orange and black on top
- Eyes: Doll, White with black centers, black eye lashes and yellow lids
CHARTRUESE NORTHERN MOUSE
- Tube: White and Clear plastic
- Thread: White A
- Tail: Brown Ultra Chenille, burn the tip and silicone
- Legs: Two sets of two Red round perfect rubber per side
- Body-Bottom: A butt of Chartreuse Deer Hair then Yellow Deer Hair
- Body-Top: Chartreuse Deer Hair with the natural tips pointing back
- Head: Chartreuse Deer Hair
- Eyes: 3D, Yellow with black centers
TOM’S NORTHERN MICKEY FINN TUBE
- Tube: White or Clear plastic or metal as desired
- Thread: Black A or Clear Ultra
- Length: Four to Twelve inches
- Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel
- Body: Silver Motion Mylar tinsel wrapped, then give the body a coat of epoxy
- Wing: Yellow, Red & Yellow Super Hair with 6 to 8 strands of Pearl K-Flash
- Bread: Yellow, Red, Yellow Super Hair
- Head: Black Thread
- Eyes: Doll, Yellow with black centers, epoxy coated
Note: You may also wish to lead the tube with a spinner blade and a couple of beads.
Lefty’s Deceivers in various colors are also effective on Northerns and Gar.
| Editor’s Note |
|---|
| There are several more pages of patterns that Tom uses for Northern Pike and Gar. If there is sufficient interest among our readers I will publish the rest of the patterns. Let me know on the bulletin board. |
Originally published Oct 4, 2010 on Fly Anglers Online by Tom Travis.