“A few extra layers for the run across the lake.”
This is not an understatement. Though the temps are pushing into almost 50, any run in a boat in winter bites any exposed skin with a swift cold burn. Like using the canned air to dust off your computer just a bit to long. Yet when the boat idles to the stop, one feels far overdressed and must immidately shed most layers to avoid the quickly onseting sweat. It’s the dychotomy of late winter and early spring pike fly fishing.
As soon as the casting starts, it pays to be ready. On my first day out this year, a 35″ fish materialized out of the depths on the 4th cast to nip at the fly and then quickly disappear into the off color water. Days like these can have an agressive showing of toothy preadators before they being the yearly spawn rituals and ignore any kind of fly thrown at them. It’s a fantastic way to shake off the winter’s cabin fever and go straight for a fish that can top out at over 20 pounds.
If it has been a while since you targted pike on the fly, or if you never have at all…now is the time. Our guided pike trips have kicked off with a bang, check out a few recent photos and get on the books now! Don’t forget that this Saturday, February 29th, is our FREE pike on the fly clinic from 12:00 to 1:30.
