Fall is Pike Time in Europe (and here)
Northern pike occupy many waters in Europe and are great sport fish. Theo Bakelaar sent along some photos of a recent pike fishing outing in the small back channels off the canals in Holland. The pike take huge flies, and the challenge is to make true monster imitations without much weight, so they can be easily cast with a fly rod. Pike are ambush fish, darting out of cover to grab their prey with a mouthful of razor sharp dentures. Thus, the take is always very sudden and very hard. Wire is a necessity, not an option. I typically use 8 inches of 35-pound test, single strand wire. Braided wire is okay, but the pike’s teeth can puncture between the strands and cut the braid. If you use braided wire, check it often.
Weedy, back channels like this are excellent pike locations.
Pike flies have to be big, with emphasis on big. Note the wire leader.
Theo with a smaller pike. Even fish of this size take the fly with extreme vigor.