Pickerel on the Fly

[John Sheehan]

Researching using a Fly rod for Pickerel . I know where to find them and get plenty on spoons , Crank baits ,Spinnerbaits ,Sluggos and Live bait so I want to change it up for fun .

8 wt Rod/Reel  and Line 

Most pike flies range from 4” to 9” inches in length and imitate baitfish of various types. The flies are generally tied with a combination between bucktail and synthetic materials such as flashabou. These materials not only give them great movement in the water but also have the added benefit of not soaking up water, which would make them heavier and harder to cast.

Suggestions:

Leader: 10# mono or Fluro Tippet or Rio Toothy Critter Leader. Orvis Titanium Bite Tippet

https://www.adh-fishing.com/adh-world/expert-advice/do-you-fish-the...

Streamers ,(Mickey Finns ) Poppers ,Tie up some Bead head Squirrel Tails, Beadhead Wholly Buggers

Spring/Spawn -generally lasts until the water warms up to above 65 degrees 2-10'

 Spring-Early Summer -large streamers over still submerged weeds

Fall same depths as Spring 2-10' 65 degrees and dropping

WIND BLOWN SIDES OF LAKE AND WHERE DARK BOTTOMS WARM FASTER

Effective topwater flies include Dahlberg Divers, Foam Divers, or Gurglers, while subsurface bait patterns such as Deceivers, Rattlin’ Baitfish, Bendbacks, and Pike Bunnies will draw strikes.

https://www.rapaxflyfishing.com/blogs/fly-fishing-how-to/86016132-h...

https://www.cabelas.com/product/RIO-reg-Powerflex-reg-Wire-Bite-Tip...

https://www.panfishonthefly.com/blog/2017/8/7/pickerel-the-water-wolf

https://www.rapaxflyfishing.com/blogs/fly-fishing-how-to/what-you-n... 

http://www.flyfishsd.com/flyfishing-pike-5-tips/ 

https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/video-lessons/chapter-three-pike-mus...

https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/fish-facts-chain-pickerel-esox-n...

[jim cosgrove]

Go for it john.You dont have to spend a fortune on fly gear.It becomes quite an addiction.There is a learning curve but not as complicated as it looks.I think us guys that fished with regular gear and paid our dues on the water do much better than trout guys that start warmwater fishing.We know the where how and when.Just doing it a different way with a fly rod.Same rules apply,put something in front of the fish they want to eat.I use fly gear nearly 80% of the time the past few seasons..I probably catch less fish,well actually i catch more bluegills than ever.It has me excited to go fishing even on local ponds .A lot more fun than than throwing and reeling over and over.Has me much more engaged and i rarely buy bait.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks for the encouragement Jim -Have you ever targeted Pike or Pickerel with a Fly rod ?

I am still not sure how to go about this .

[Slip Sinker]

One entertaining video comes to mind, fly fishing for N.Pike

[jim cosgrove]

Your link covers it better than i could John.Not many pickerel in these parts.They are here and have caught a few over the years but no one i know targets them.I  used to have some good pike spots but you have to cross posted property to get at them.I have been given a heads up on some new areas ,some discharges in the river but our warm winter has ended..Highs of 0 next week,oh joy and i am moving tuesday.

[John Sheehan]

keep in touch Jim ,hope you're very happy with the move!