I headed up on Saturday with my good friend Jason to chase some pike around Upper Lake Mary. It was my first time chasing pike and it was an excellent opportunity to find the rhythm of the 8 weight for an upcoming Pyramid trip. It was a beautiful day that started slow, but I was able to pull in three hammer-handles (14-20″ pike) out of the lake, while Jason pulled in 7 or 8. No monsters, but an excellent way to spend a Saturday.
Wow, I had no idea Pike were in Arizona. Here in Cali there is an order to kill them on sight if they are caught. Great write up, thanks for sharing.
Interesting Dan. I had no idea that California did that. We have a couple of lakes here that have pike. It was a fun day on the water for sure.
Ben
Right on. Pike are a hoot and a half. Somewhat scary, too! 😉
Agreed Erin. I gingerly took a few hooks out, half expecting a crocodile like attack on my fingers. Mostly in my head though.
Ben
Looks like a good time. Those flies are sexy! I’m heading to Ontario, Canada this July for a walleye fishing trip and am considering going after pike on the fly. Thanks for adding some fuel to the fire!
Thanks Kirk. Canada sounds like fun for sure. Best of luck and I would definitely add pike to the list.
Ben
That is pretty cool. I also didnt know there were Pike in AZ. Gotta love those FishSkullz too. Nice.
Revive,
Thanks man. Arizona is pretty diverse if you do some looking around. I love those FishSkullz. They make even ugly flies look cool.
Ben
That is awesome. I caught my first pike up there this last weekend as well. I wasn’t fly fishing though. How were you working the flies?
Tyson,
Stripping them back at a moderate pace in some of the shallower water. I found it important to vary the retrive to induce strikes. It was very cool to pull pike on a fly rod.
Ben
thanks for the tip. I can imagine it would be pretty fun.
No problem. Better to head up soon rather than later. I don’t think they stay in the shallows through the summer, although I could be mistaken. Best of luck if you head up.
Ben