Mastering Pike on the Fly: STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES [Paperback] by Barry Reynolds

[Marc Martyn]

I was looking at Barry Reynolds website and noticed that he has several books he has written. Mastering Pike on the Fly: STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES [Paperback] is one that caught my attention. I found it on Amazon and it is apparently out of print, released in 2004. Amazon had one new copy, which is either a collectors item or they are really proud of it.....$158.00!
However, if you have a Kindle, you can download it for $10.00. I downloaded it to my wife's Kindle and read through the forward written by Lefty Kreh. It looks like a great book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155566 ... e=&seller=

[sparky1doug]

Well Marc what do you think of the book? I've not got to read this one of his. He is a decent author but a great fly fisherman. What I've learned over the last year of fly fishing for the Pike is that they are very different from what I 'm used to, salmon and rainbow trout. Interestingly they react much like large German Browns do, lay in wait and watch for a good meal to go by then kill it. They don't fool around they explode on it. A quick and irratic retrive works very well, forget the slow methodic well timed attempt. They are preditors first and always. Little flies little fish, big flies big fish. When you see them coming and you will (V shaped wake), go, go, go strip like heck. Have a big net and long needle nose pliers to retrive that fly. Steel leader or better yet 50lb flourocarbon, they will shread a Salmon leader in a heart beat. Pinpoint casts and finess, not here! Chuck and rip. When you've got groves on your stripping finger at the end of the day you've got it. I learned these tips by trying all the wrong things first which is just the way I roll.

[Marc Martyn]

I just downloaded the book yesterday and only got into it a few pages. I am looking forward to reading it though.

The techiques that you describe are just what Barry Reynolds uses in his casting. It shows well in his video "In Pursuit of The Water Wolves". Great video.

This spring I am getting a new 9' or maybe 10' 8wt rod made by Reddington. The rod I have now is a 1st or 2nd generation graphite made by Orvis in the 1980's. Graphite rods have vastly improved over the last 15 years and I'm hoping the new rod will carry the line a bit better and be easier to cast. I can always carry along the Orvis for the "just in case" accidental scenarios.

It's been many years since I have caught a Northern. When I was growing up in South Dakota, I used to cast for them off the dock with a Daredevil spoon. I do remember them striking, as Reynolds says, "with bad intentions". They are fun to catch.

I'm gathering some fly patterns to tie up between now and March. Mike, Dave and I are planning on fishing the Chain Lakes on the CD'A, Newman, Silver and the Pend Orielle River. With those outing, we should be able to lay into a few at least. Hopefully we can entice a Tiger also.

[Kfedka]

Pike on the Fly by Barry Reynolds

Here is on on Ebay for $27 shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Pike-Fly-Barry- ... 1e60652aeb