The concept of fly-fishing for muskie just isn't a new one. Publications written in the nineteenth century, and in actual fact previously, tell the thought of luring the prevalent freshwater predator with hooks dressed with cocktails of fur and feather. A bit more in recent times fly-fishing for muskie has grown in recognition, not just as a substitute to the customary strategies used by pike fishermen, but additionally as being a spanking new challenge to an ever-increasing quantity of sport fly fishermen emerging from a more accepted game angling background.
We hope to promote the use of accepted fly fishing tackle and paraphernalia which is appropriate in the brief, and most significantly of all, to promote a better knowledge of how pike might be handled in a method which minimises any risk of injury either towards pike or the angler.
Facts plus Fiction:
The pike has a deserved reputation for being essentially the most terrible predator in our lakes, lochs and rivers. Yet, whilst they really are unquestionably a extremely advanced in addition to professional hunter, pike are enormously delicate creatures which require to be handled with care plus respect.
Pike do not attack or kill for pleasure, but will only dine to sustain themselves. They do not squander energy by chasing prey that's challenging to catch if an easier selection exists. Muskie are scavengers, and it's demonstrated perfectly as a result of the number of specimen fish caught each year on dead fish baits. Repeatedly they're going to target weak or dying fish - that shows why flies or lures planned to mimic these are so successful.
Rods, Reels and Lines:
Fly fishing for pike demands the usage of strong rods so that you can cast the heavy fly lines necessary to present large fly fishing flies. A 9 or 10 foot rod designed to cast a 10 weight flyline may also possess enough backbone to restrain big pike. Muskie landed in addition to returned in the water promptly, and with the least amount of fuss, will recuperate considerably more quickly than pike that happen to be played to a standstill on light weight tackle.
This really is very true in warm weather when oxygen levels are low, and in Trout waters where pike grow to specimen size so much more quickly but tend to have a shorter life on account of their bulk.
There is no place in modern angling for line class fishing where praise was in the past given in support of landing specimen muskie using the lightest line possible.
Casting large flies is made more straightforward through the use of heavy lines, along with distinctive Pike taper lines with an exaggerated weight forward profile are now available. Another choice is to make use of a shooting head, but whatever fly line you choose it's important make sure your fly fishing reel can hold not less than a hundred metres of good quality backing.
Pike are capable of making short but very fast runs, therefore its highly recommended to utilize a reel which includes a superior drag system which will help to absorb any impulsive charge made from the fish.
Leaders and Tippets
When using large fly fishing flies turnover is helped by way of a comparatively short leader and many muskie fly fishermen make use of a leader of two metres (6 feet) or less. The selection between a tapered or level leader is largely a matter of personal choice. However, it's breaking strain require to be not less than 12 lbs. and a leader which has a breaking strain closer to twenty lbs. may well prove to be more manageable.
When fishing for pike the use of a wire trace is vital always. Muskie boast tremendously razor-sharp teeth which will hack through other materials. Some have advocated using hard nylon monofilament in a heavy breaking strain, whilst conceding that occasional bite-offs were inevitable. This simply is not adequate since the variety of different trace wires now accessible provides the pike fly fisherman numerous trustworthy options.
Nylon coated traces are easily fused using the naked flame from a cigarette lighter and uncoated wires produced from as many as 49 strands are now obtainable, and these are awfully supple and effective at being knotted.
Wire traces require to be at the least 12 inches long.
Leaders and wire tippets should be checked habitually for any signs of damage, particularly following catching a fish. Any abrasions on the leader or signs of the wire having become kinked or frayed should lead to instant replacement.
Knots, Links and Swivels:
Some fishermen favor to make use of a small swivel to attach the leader to the wire tippet, or some form of snap link to connect the fly to the trace. It is important to make connections which will stand up with the riggers of constant fly casting, plus the strain of playing large muskie. Snaps and swivels need to be of the best quality you're able to acquire plus must have a minimum breaking strain of 30 lbs. or more.
It is possible to apply knots to build all the required connections. The leader ought to be connected to the fly line using a needle (or nail) knot plus the wire tippet connected to the leader using an Albright special. Determined by your choice of wire-trace, there are a number of techniques with which you'll be able to attach the eye of a snap link or a hook to wire tippet:
Nylon coated wire; twist melt (using a lighter to fuse the two ends together).
Single strand wire; Haywire twist.
Uncoated 7 strand wire; small double sleeved crimp, or number of twists.
Uncoated 49 strand wire, Pike fly wire or Braided wire; some might be knotted using Bowline knot, if unsure use a small double sleeved crimp.
Hooks:
Most muskie fly fishing flies are tied on large single hooks. To aid unhooking, use barbless hooks or debarb the hook first. It's possible eliminate barbs by crushing them down with pliers, or filing them flat. Some fly fishing flies have a weed guard, that minimise the risk of snagging up in weedy water. Many saltwater fly patterns will catch pike. However, it's best avoiding stainless-steel hooks as these won't rot away in the event that you incapable to retrieve a fly.
Other essentials:
A large landing net is vital. Although many pike anglers land their fish by hand, the length and adaptability of a fly rod makes this less feasible for the fly fisherman. Round or pear shaped nets should have a diameter of at the very least 30 inches. Alternatively a bow framed triangular net with 42 inch arms maybe used. The net should have a soft knotless mesh.
Hook Removal:
You should carry a pair of long nosed forceps for hook removal. Hook-out tools are a pretty good substitute, and many pike fishermen find that long nosed pliers give good purchase on the hook shank. In the event that a fish is awkwardly hooked, a pair of side cutters will enable the hook to be cut and removed in two pieces.
Once the pike is in the landing net, you may find that you can remove the hook without lifting the fish out of the water. If you do not intend to weigh or photograph the fish, it will then be released instantly from the net, thus getting rid of the need for any unnecessary handling.
If you do remove the netted pike from the water it must be prevented from damaging itself by thrashing about or slipping. Usually an unhooking mat will be necessary to safeguard the pike whilst it is on the ground or in the floor of a boat. As an alternative bubble wrap might be used, but under no circumstances should the pike be laid upon a hard or rough surface.
With the pike laid on it's back, kneel astride it to control their movement after which you can glide the fingers of your left hand under the gill cover. Taking care not to touch the gill rakers, slide your fingers forward until they rest on the inside of the pikes lower jaw. Light upward pressure will encourage the pike to open its mouth so that the hook may be removed.
If desired the fish could possibly be weighed along with photographed before returning it to the water. Always use weigh slings - or an unhooking mat that doubles as a weigh sling. Never weigh a muskie by suspending it from the scales via their chin. Whilst taking photographs ensure the muskie is kept under control and hold it close to the mat - just in case it slips.
Remember: Minimum Handling = Maximum Conservation.
Safe Returns:
When returning muskie into water it will be important to support them in an upright position until they may be able to swim away. This is done either as a result of holding both flanks, or lightly gripping the wrist of the tail.
Failure to support the fish until it has recovered often leads to phenomena known as gassing up. This occurs due to build up of lactic acid within the blood tending to cause the fish to belly up. If the pike shows any signs of rolling onto its back, simply carry on to support it until it will maintain itself in an upright position. You could spot that the muskie expelling bubbles from their mouth or gills and this can be a good sign that its correcting its natural buoyancy satisfactorily.
Author Resource:
A Kitchener is MAnaging Director in The Essential Trout & Salmon Fly Company. a quality manufacturer of fly fishing flies including salmon flies/salmon fly, trout flies/trout fly, fly fishing tackle and gear and fly tying materials. Andy is a passionate fisherman and always looking at new materials and flies and their effects on the quarry fish. Andy is a keen fly angler.
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