fly rods

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Nicky Garbutt

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i feel like give fly fishing ago and i don't know were to start ive had a look in a trout and salmon magzine. ive seen a advert for a pike fly fishing outfit, the rod is rated #8-9 but ive read sum were on this site that i need a #10 rod. i fish a small lake with lots of snag's (trees). is this kit wrong for the lake were im fishing.

thanks for any advice
 
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Tim Kelly

Guest
I think it's always better to be on the heavy side. I think a 10 weight designed for tropical saltwater fishing should be the minimum. If the water you want to try it in only holds small fish, you could use an 8-9, but for safetys sake go as heavy as you can. Unfortunately proper tropical 10 weights are rather expensive.

Tim
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Nicky, there are several articles about Pike Fly Fishing published. Have a look at http://www.pikeflyfishing.co.uk/ for a website dedicated to this fantastic method.

As for the rods, if its snaggy, I would say the heavier rod would be better. If you want to fish flies without resorting to buying all the gear, its possible to fish weighted flies on light spinning gear. This is a populat method in Holland. Infact, i have just tied some up for this very style for a friend down south.

Give me a shout if you need any more help as i would be pleased to help.
 
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Nicky Garbutt

Guest
rob ive got one question.

i fish this lake its 6-10 feet deep. which line would i use. i mean slow sink or a ultra fast sink.

thanks
 
Colin Brett

Colin Brett

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Nicky,

Personally I would start with a floater, and then work my way down. I have a sink tip [or rather did have as I can't find the line or reel] that is great for general use on relatively shallow waters. Remember most pike will be looking upwards for a meal, so try above them to start with. I use a bouyant fly with my sinking lines to try to avoid snagging up.
There is a good article on pike fly size on www.pikeflyfishing.co.uk
Hope this helps,
Colin
 
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Rob Brownfield

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Nicky, interesting one that. If the water is clear and its anytime between spring and autumn, I would use a floating line with a LARGE fly. believe me, the Pike will come up for it. It will still be fishing a few feet below the surface, so dont worry too much. One tactic I use is to let the fly sink to the bottom...and then strip it in fast...it looks like a wee fish darting towards the surface and Pike just love it.

The only time I now use a fast sink line is when fishing from a drifting boat and i want the fly to sink fast before the boat drifts over it. Its a tactic the trout anglers use.

If the water is dirty, I use a neutral line or a slow sink. This way i can fish the flies slowly along the bottom. if u use a fast sink line in this situation, you will be hitting bottom too much. Its possible to use a floating fly on a very short leader and a fast sink line....but thats rather specialised.

Hope this helps
 
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Paul Kendall

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Nicky

I have a Ron Thompson MPX Esox 4 piece fly rod - 9ft long and rated as an AFTMA #8-9, although it actually throughs a 10 weight line better than a 9. It's a suberb rod with a sh*tload of backbone and a fantastic action - plenty of power right down into the butt section.

I'll be honest now and say I haven't actually caught Pike on it, although I have had Tigerfish / Trevally & Barracuda to good weights (high double) and it perfomed really well.

I paid around ?40 for the rod but I know that that was quite a bit below the RRP.

Hope this helps
 
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David Preston

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I think Masterline make a pike fly rod in their Toothy Critter range that might be worth a look.
 
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Rob Brownfield

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Toothy Critter fly rods are indeed imported by Masterline but I have found that they are too long for the weight of line they throw. I fly fish a fair bit with heavy gear, but after 20 minutes using this 10 foot rod my wrist was knackered.

A 9 foot rod is much better for the heavy lines.
 
Colin Brett

Colin Brett

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Nicky, Watch this space!!!
I believe, No, I know that Shakespeare are about to market a new range of Pike Fly Rods and Lines. Graham will be receiving a press release/write up on these shortly. The rods will be priced around the ?120 mark and the lines ?20-22. Should be good??

Colin
 
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Nicky Garbutt

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ive seen two got kits in trout fisherman thier ?100 the ron tompson and the masterline one. but they is a saltwater rod with 2 handles at 79.99 this seems okay but it think it might be to heavy with the 2 handles.

thanks
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Bllody hell...all the companies are getting in on the act...this is the list of companies I am aware of that sell Pike fly rods and an approx price

Greys - Esox - ?180 (I use this...great)
Hardys - Ad Swier design - ?250
Bruce and Walker - Too soft and heavy for my liking ?200
Masterline Toothy Critter - Good Value, but hard to use - ?70
Sage - Brillient - ?300+
Loomis - Even better ?400+
Sportsmail - own brand - ?120
Sparton - ?150
Fox and Shakespeare to release soon.

There are many smaller companies that do specialist rods to order or Sea rods that will do....its amazing how its catching on
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Nicky..My Greys has a fighting butt above the handle...its not too heavy...and it really helps with the big fish.
 
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Nicky Garbutt

Guest
it called sliver creek (never heard of em) steel head spr saltwater special 8/10 line and 4 piece and 10ft long. the price is ?65.99 not too bad just need to find a good reel.
 
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Nicky Garbutt

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i know what you mean by fly fishing is growing i took my biggest rudd ever on a dry fly!!. mybe zander next?
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Colin...the Bluewater range by Scierra is really for the Sea..i was talking about rods being sold in the UK specifically for Pike :eek:)

BTW..the Scierra rods are wonderful...but I like a 4 piece rod...that way i can sneak onto Trout waters, but fish for the Pike..lol
 
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Rob Brownfield

Guest
Nicky...I recommend the Leeda Magnum Disc drag...?40

Or the Okuma Large Arbor.

Both can be found much cheaper if u look around.
 
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