Dozens of fly patterns
will work for you. But like pick-up trucks, we all have opinions...and
I've become infatuated with large-headed pike flies with dumbbell eyes
like those shown here.
Click here 
for
more discussion about pike flies.
The flies
here are all underwater streamers. Don't forget to take some floating pike
flies like those shown on the first pike page!
Try some of these patterns or
others you find on the Internet, in magazines and books. Something
is bound to work for you. The most important thing to have in your fly
selection is a variety of colors. When pike are in a feeding frenzy, they
will eat a variety of patterns and colors. But they have their moments,
and you'll want to try different colors until you find a working combination.
Great
Pumpkin
Originated
by Brooks Fly-Fishing Club
Hook:
Mustad 34007 (or similar) size 1/0 to 5/0
Thread:
Hot Orange Size A (Or Danville Plus)
Body: Orange
fish hair, Icelandic wool or substitute
Add gold
flash strands over the hair fibers
Head/Collar:
Saap Body Fur - Fl. Orange
OR as shown here with Phentex head
(click
for instructions)
Eyes: Brass/pearl
dumbbell eyes
Spirit
River, Umpqua Presentation eyes, or plain brass dumbbells
|
DO
NOT OVER DRESS. IT'S NOT NEEDED; FLIES ARE HARDER TO CAST; AND HEAVY DRESSING
MAKES FLIES TOO SLUGGISH IN WATER.
|
Tweety
Bird
Use same
technique and materials as for Great Pumpkin
Vary colors
as shown
Rex
Murphy
(Yes, the
very same "Rex Murphy" of CBC radio. It's a long story.)
This is
a lake whitefish imitation and has worked for me in many southern Alberta
lakes. Whitefish are in every lake and reservoir where pike are found and
a main food of pike. These dull flies may not have the colorful appeal
to you and me, but they have worked very well for me when the Great Pumpkin
and Tweety Birds flies have faltered.
My tying
desk during pike fly season!
