AW Predator Fishing

^{Predator
Power}

^{from
AW Hooked Magazine 2003}

^{We've
watched a growing trend toward fly-fishing for pike on many of our
reservoirs. On venues like Grafham, Ardleigh, Rutland, and Pitsford
there's a very real chance that a fly fisherman gearing up with the
correct pike flies could catch a 30-pounder.}

^{And
why not?}

^{JUST
ask Northampton angler John Emerson. While
fishing in a boat with well-known trout angler, Bob
Church, he hooked and boated a 30lb 8oz pike on a Tandem
Appetiser. Bob even played a pike also estimated to be 30lb at the same
time, only to lose it at the net.}

^{Fishing
of this sort is too good to be ignored. We're seeing many more people
arriving at our reservoirs with the deliberate Intention of
targeting the predators on the fly. Big, colourful flies are the
order of the day and a wire trace is needed as a pike's teeth will cut
through even heavy I monofilament.}

^{Catching
pike on the fly isn’t as new an Idea as you might think. There are
pike 'fly' patterns that date back to 19th century, proving that nothing
is really 'new' in fishing. In
general, pike flies need to be bigger and brighter than their trout
fishing counterparts. Red, yellow, and white materials are always
popular, with an extra bit of flash to attract those predators. Mind
you, every year big pike caught accidentally by trout anglers on flies
such as Damsel Nymphs and Tadpoles.}

^{There's
no trick to the speed of retrieve either. Just like trout, on some days
they will want the fly pulled back through the water at great speed,
while on other occasions a gentle pull will more than suffice.}

^{If
you do decide to go for the pike then you need to be prepared. Make sure
your landing net is big enough to easily hold a pike of 201b plus.
Always carry a pair of long-nosed forceps for the safe unhooking of
flies. An unhooking mat (a wet drogue is a good alternative) is useful
for placing the fish on at the bottom of the boat, while you are
unhooking the fly.}

^{Pike
aren't the only 'coarse' fish providing anglers with entertainment. At
Grafham, Zander, which entered the reservoir through water pumped in
from the Great Ouse, have grown and are now being caught to
double-figures.}

^{Big bream will also take flies.
During the late part of the season bream will feed on fry and
therefore they can be caught on a whole variety of flies. Perch are also
there to be caught. Specimens of 21b are relatively commonplace and can
be caught on both lures and nymphs. There have been many bigger perch
also caught at Grafham.

In recognition
of the new breed of fly anglers, this season we will be allowing a
special pike on the fly ticket at Grafham. This will cost announced
shortly plus the normal boat fees. Season ticket holders can fly fish
for pike for no extra charge other than the boat fee.}

^{Big,
colourful, and sparkly flies with plenty of movement are needed for pike}