Let The Fur Fly

Many a trout angler has cursed his luck when the giant Rainbow hehas been playing has surfaced, only to reveal itself as a pesky pike.However, there is a growing band of anglers who purposely set out tocatch this freshwater hunter using little more than a wand of a rodand a bunch of feathers tied to a hook. I of course refer to theEsox Fly Fisher, better known as “ThatEFFing plonker !”

Now, I know you are all sitting there trying to work out how youare going to cast a herring on a fly rod, but really, there is noneed! With a little skill and half a chicken, you can createbeautiful fish imitations that weigh mere grams that can be twitchedand jerked to impart life….or you can simply buy the flies froma shop! (or me): backs4more@hotmail.com.

So, why would I want to catch a pike on a fly?

Simple…the excitement and the fact that this is adevastatingly productive method. “Excitement?” I here you ask. Well,as you are in direct contact with the fish, you feel every lunge andhead-shake, the rod takes on an alarming bend, and the reel emptiesof line faster than a certain Mr Marsden can empty a Cheshire Mere ofbream! “Productive?” Yes…very! I have lost count of the amountof times I have had half a dozen doubles before lunch or had severalfish within minutes of each other. Go on, give it a go!

Ok, you have me interested. Can I use my grandfather’s old caneflyrod?

The simple answer is no! Although several well known anglers haveadvocated using trout gear for pike, I strongly advise against this.To land a double figure pike on gear meant for a 2 pound trout takesa LONG time! The poor pike is totally knackered when landed. Youreally do need a powerful, specialist rod matched to a decent flyreel if you are going after good sized pike. I use a Greys Esox flyrod, but there are many makes such as Scierra, Reddington, Enigma,Loop, Daiwa, etc, that sell suitable rods.

Right, I’ve binned my grandfather’s rod! Tell me what Ineed!

Ok, for serious EFFing you need a rod of about 9 to 91/2 ft long, capable of casting a 9 or 10 weight fly line. Rodprices can be anywhere from £ 80 up to £ 500.

The line is what provides the weight to cast with. All you reallyneed to know is that a 10 weight line is heavy and can cast bigflies. The rod has a line rating printed on it, so, a rod rated for a10 weight line, surprisingly, casts a 10 weight line. Simple!

Now for a little confusion. The line should be of a weight-forwarddesign. “What?”…don’t worry, all it means is that the first 30feet or so of line has a thicker, heavier cross section that allowslarge flies to be used and longer casts to be made. I would recommendthe Toothy Critter range of flylines from Masterline (£ 20).

The reel is a pretty simple affair, similar in design to a centrepin reel. Make sure it is designed to take a 9/10 line with at least100 yards of 30lb backing. I use a Dragonfly Magnum which has a verygood disc drag too. It costs around £ 50.

Hmmm, now, I have a rod, a weight forward line and a reel. Whatdo I use as bait?

Bait? Oh dear, remember, this is fly fishing. We don’t use bait,we use….a fly! Except, it’s not really a fly, more like a giant,rabid budgie. As you can see in the photographs, the flies are verylarge compared to a trout fly. This is because you will be trying toimitate fish, frogs and voles with your feather and furcreations.

The good thing about using flies made of feathers, etc, is thatthey have a very “alive” appearance in the water. They pulsate as youstrip them in, and hang in the water when you pause. You just can’tget that “natural” look with a wooden or plastic lure. If you want tobuy flies (remember, I can make them for you!) you would not go farwrong with the Toothy Critter range of flies from Masterlineavailable from Harris Angling. Special thanks must go to Barry Duffyfor inspiration as he has tied some beautiful flies that I havecopied and “tweaked”.

Now then, I have everything I need, can I go EFFingyet?

Well, nearly. The fly line is a very thick line. You need a”Leader” attached to it. A leader is about 8ft of 10 -15lb nylon witha wire trace attached. Yes, you MUST use a wire trace. In America,some anglers use a very heavy nylon trace, but please, in the UK, usewire. I use the Soft Wire from Fox. The 15lb breaking strain stuffcan be knotted to a tiny 3mm stainless steel ring (Fox, Masterlineetc) at one end and a small cross-lok clip on the other. Make thetrace about eight inches long. Never attach the wire direct to thenylon as it will just slice through it, always use the ring. Itsimportant to keep the trace as neat and light as possible to preventproblems with casting.

Another must is a pair of glasses! The flies are dressed on big,BARBLESS, hooks. You really don’t want one of those in your eye! Youwill also need long-nosed pliers for unhooking, a daft hat for posingin, a pair of waders (very useful) and a paper bag to put over yourhead so you don’t get recognised by your buddies!

One last thing, it will be worth while to get some castinglessons. Its actually quite straight forward to cast a fly, but likea golf swing, there are bad habits to pick up. Have a look at some ofthe trout fishing sites, I am sure you will be able to see “How tocast” instructions on them.

So, I now have everything I need!

You sure do. Of course, as time goes by you will buy bits andpieces of gear, but for now, you will do fine. EFFing is abouttravelling light. Move regularly and fish areas you may neverhave thought about fishing before.

Well, tell me then, where should I be fishing? How will I knowI have a take?

EFFing allows you to present a lure where you may have beentoo frightened to cast before. As you will see on the photographs,most of my flies have “weed guards”. That’s the “Fang” type things atthe front of the fly. This lets the fly skip and bounce through weed,rocks, reeds etc without snagging. I tend to fish shallow, weedy baysin the spring, where I can present the fly just above the weed usinga floating line. In the summer, I will fish ANY water where I thinka pike may be lurking. Weeds, pads, jetties, drop-offs, reefs,margins. It does not matter. With a range of floating and sinkinglines you can cover ANY situation. In the winter, I have actuallytaken fish off the surface when there has been ice in the margins.EFFing is such a fantastic method that you may end up packingthe deadbait rods away in the shed.

As for takes…well….you will know! Pike can take a flywith the slightest indication, but nine times out of ten, the rodwill be pulled from your hand! Hang on tight. Even a Jack willsurprise you. Just lift the rod high to set the hook. There is noneed for mega strikes as you are not trying to strike two treblesfree from a deadbait at 80 yards. Always remember to be vigilant whenretrieving your fly as you will get many takes as you lift the flyfrom the surface at the end of a retrieve.

This article is meant to be a very brief introduction to flyfishing for pike. If interest is high enough, I may be persuaded towrite about flies, tactics, tackle choice, etc, in much more detail. Ihope some of you will be encouraged to have a go at this excitingmethod, and remember, chub, perch and even carp can be taken on afly.

Now….let the fur Fly!!