Whether you're on a "once-in-a-lifetime" destination trip to Northern Saskatchewan or right out your backdoor, taking a Northern Pike with a fly rod is no effortless task. Like all fish, the Pike (also known as the Pickerel in parts of Canada) has specific needs that should be addressed prior to your trip. Aside from the proper fly selection, the fisherman needs also to consider the tools that he plans to use - including the rod, reel and line and of course, the fly!

Northern Pike have a cult following in the fly fishing community - similar in ways to taking Carp on a fly rod...although, with much less of the embarrassment. They are a daunting species of fish. Growing to lengths greater then 1.5m and weights beyond 30kg, this is not your typical catch on a fly rod. Having long and extremely slender sea-serpent like body, Pike sport rows of one-way teeth that can make grown men cry like little children. A predator with excellent vision and primarily made of muscle, Pike have been known to accelerate and take patterns from distances greater then 15m. So, why would people fish for them on a fly? Once hooked, the fight can be grueling, commonly lasting tens of minutes if not into an hour or more...and not typically on light tackle either.

If you've ever experienced the thrill of saltwater fishing, you'll pick up quick. Fishing for Pike is most typically done on lakes although they do live in some river systems across North America and Europe. Access to the fish is granted typically by wading shorelines or more practically with the assistance of a pontoon or belly boat. If you have the luxury, a boat with a casting deck greatly improves your chances and can even allow you to sight-fish for Pike...having a partner to assist in landing such large giants also helps.

Like many fresh water species, Pike live in cold water and so your fishing success will depend on the water temperature. In extreme Northern latitudes, your season is governed by ice melt-off. Given only a short number of months to rebuild their energy supplies, Northern's will rise to the surface not only to warm up, but also with hopes of picking up some large, nourishing treats off the surface: frogs and mice are typical but even the occasional baby duck or shallow wading bird can fall prey. In mid-latitudes, spring and fall typically provides great action, bringing the fish shallow - sometimes in just 6" of water...while the hot temperatures of summer normally forces them deep.

Being able

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