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Post by flyboxfan on Oct 8, 2008 16:18:28 GMT
Does anyone know a good location where I could have a go at fly fishing for pike. I prefer river fishing and North or Mid Devon would be best. A day ticket or Angling 2000 water would be superb as I am only likely to get the odd go at this. Many thanks
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Post by BarleBlanker on Oct 8, 2008 17:51:23 GMT
You may be struggling a bit with pike in Mid and North Devon in rivers. There are plenty in the lower Exe but I don't know how far upriver they go (and to think I go under the name of Exerod elsewhere...). The Culm beat of Angling2000 may be worth a look. The canal at Tiverton has pike and also has the advantage that it wont colour up after rain like the rivers. Kennick or one of the reservoirs next to it has pike but I don't know if they respond to the fly down there. TobyM has caught one or two on the Somerset levels and will be able to tell you more about the "how to do it" side of things. If you want to stir up a hornets nest ask on the FFF if wire traces are really needed Andy
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Post by Pete Tyjas on Oct 10, 2008 8:06:44 GMT
Hi FBF,
as Andy says Tiverton canal is worth a look and a nice place to start if you haven't done it before. I heard a rumour 3 or 4 years ago that the silver fishermen had a load of pike taken out but I could never get to the bottom of it. Haven't fished there for a couple of years as I've headed to the Levels instead.
Exeter canal is worth a look as well and has the advantage of a nice pub right on the canal. Keep an eye out for the walkers though.
The Somerset Levels are hard to beat though with plenty of fish in the 7 to 12lb range.
Chew is also throwing out some big pike at the mo. I believe a 29lber came out last week.
Mark is the real expert on pike but gearwise an 8wt or 9wt rod will be fine and intermediate lines are the most popular choice. Try and choose a line with an abrupt front taper that will help kick over the fly. As Andy has mentioned there is great debate as to what leader to use. I go for 8ft of 15lb and then for knotable wire tippet so I know I am covered but each to their own! Being able to double haul is a big advantage in helping generate the line speed to be able to get your fly out to the area you want to fish with ease. Flywise pink is one of the popular colours at the mo and EP fibre or something similar seems to be the latest and most popular material. I believe TobyM has a load of this stuff. Also flies tied with zonker bodies and tails is a good bet in black with an orange head. Take a look at how that zonker moves in the water! I did some fly tying for my village fishing club and took a whole bunch of different stuff and let the kids choose what they wanted on the pike fly. We had some truely hideous combinations and they worked! I'll get Mark to post something up if you'd like any more info.
Pete
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Post by tobym on Oct 10, 2008 20:28:22 GMT
The areas in Devon have been covered already and as Pete and Andy have said i fish mainly on the Levels in Somerset.
The Taunton and Bridgwater canal holds plenty and can be fished on a day ticket as well.
Fly wise anything that a pike thinks is food.
Its hard to beat rabbit zonkers for movement but can be a pig to cast when wet so many people now use ep or funky fibre which creates a fly that holds its profile but on the first back cast sheds all the water held in the fly which makes it easier to cast.
Again Mark is the pike expert and ties some killer flies.
Andy has also been known to land a few big pike from wessex chalkstreams as well.
T
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Post by Pete Tyjas on Oct 11, 2008 11:09:01 GMT
Toby, I think you're hiding your light under a bushell! How about your exploits on Chew y'day and getting a newcomer to pike fishing into a double?!!...Any photos?
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