Northern Pike Lures: Fly Fishing for Northern Pike

Fly fishing for Northern Pike may not be an obvious Northern Pike fishing method for some anglers. It is a newer pike fishing technique that has gained momentum and popularity among pike fishing fans in recent years. It is a method that is not suitable for all seasons and requires some specialized tactics, but it can be an effective and enjoyable experience when executed correctly.

It is best to try fly fishing for Northern Pike in the springtime. When the water starts to get fairly warm (anywhere between 52 and 65 degrees) is a good time to start. You will want to fish shallow areas in weed beds.

There are several good tactics to employ when fly fishing for pike. If you are in an area where the water is deep enough, allow your fly to drop to the bottom of the lake. If you are in a boat and have enough extra line out, use a steady retrieval speed. You will find that pike will often follow the fly all the way to the boat. If you are lacking extra line, twitch your rod several times to pique the pike’s interest.

Two good Northern Pike lures to try when you are fly fishing are streamers and poppers. Streamers are unique in that they do not resemble insects; instead, they try to imitate the features of baitfish and minnows, which are what pike naturally feed upon. Poppers are lures generally made of sponge or cork materials. Poppers float so they work well for topwater fishing; streamers work well if you want some depth. No matter what type of fly you tie, make certain it has a weedguard if you are going to be fishing in weed beds. Also, use a lightweight leader so that your fly will have maximum movement in the water.