I do a lot of warm water fly fishing all summer long, mainly chasing Bass. In the process you’re going to run into some Pike. They’re great fun on a fly rod. I haven’t hooked any that look like your pictures however! Beautiful, heavy fish. I do most of my Bass fishing with an 8 weight as it makes it easier to throw those Deceivers when they get a little water logged. And it’s nice to have some “beef” in the rod when you hook a good fish in the slop.
What do you do for leaders? I’ve tried wire and had problems with it kinking and breaking besides being heavy and hard to throw. I also tried a shock tippet made of 30# hard mono and they bit that off too! I see Orvis has some new wire leaders designed for the salt water guys, I’m going to try them next.
Nice fish!
Rootski
Before getting into guiding and tournaments, I spent a lot of time in my Mountain Trader tube with my custom Loomis 9×9. Seeing your pics brought back a lot of great memories. I did a little musky and pike fishing with the flyrod. Mid to late June with divers was always good for some excitement. Did a lot of open water Lake Michigan salmon fishing from a tube. Was a blast to have a 30# king pulling you around for a while 
Those are some great looking fish. Always wanted to try pike on the fly just haven’t got it done. Maybe this year.
Now that looks like fun!
33 lb pike on a fly???? Balls, thats an awesome fish!!! I’ve caught some in my day, and yes, its a blast… way to go!!!
I have only got a few, but one was 29 inches. I have a 7 weight that I mainly use for smallmouth, but it works fine for pike too. What do you use for leaders? I have bought a few wire pike leaders and used a cross lock snap on the end. Probably not the best for weighting of the line, but I figured I would increase my odds of keeping a nice fish hooked if i get one.
thanks fellas.
For leaders, in all honesty I make my own…. I either use a material called “Toothy Critter” or straight mono.
I havent even lost a fish on mono, just takes more re-tying leaders more often.
I tie custom pike flies and sell, and can make leaders if anyone is interested?
Thanks again guys. 
A friend of mine just picked ou some of these leaders:
They’re re-usable, and come in two different lengths. I’m going to try these out muyself and see.
Rootski
Thanks for the heads up on Orvis leader Rootski. I’ve been using the Cortland Climax pike leader, they are an 8 foot leader with 15 inch wire shock tippiet, for pike and musky when I’ve been ‘waggling a stick’ at them. They are a good leader, and haven’t let me down. But they are on the pricey side.
Quote:
A friend of mine just picked ou some of these leaders:
They’re re-usable, and come in two different lengths. I’m going to try these out muyself and see.
Rootski
good find. see, I cant imagine spending that much on leaders when 30 lb mono is 7 bucks at Canadian Tire or Wal Mart and 40lb backing isnt pricey either… i have never lost a fish using mono leaders…. ever
Well Brandon I don’t know what to say. I’ve lost dozens of flies to Northerns. Most of the time you don’t even feel them hit, they just clip me off and are gone. That’s with 10 or 12# Maxima hard mono leader material for a tippet.
The interesting thing about those Orvis leaders is the small diameter. The lighter leaders measured .008 inches, or significantly smaller in diameter than 30# mono. What kind of knots do you use with that heavy line?
Have a good week!
Rootski
Quote:
Well Brandon I don’t know what to say. I’ve lost dozens of flies to Northerns. Most of the time you don’t even feel them hit, they just clip me off and are gone. That’s with 10 or 12# Maxima hard mono leader material for a tippet.
The interesting thing about those Orvis leaders is the small diameter. The lighter leaders measured .008 inches, or significantly smaller in diameter than 30# mono. What kind of knots do you use with that heavy line?
Have a good week!
Rootski
Rootski,
I just run the standard ol fishingermans knot but I dont twist it more than 3 times other wise its near impossible to get a solid finish on the knot…
I have also used Cortlands Toothy Critter…. look into that… I have used about 3 feet of that to a swivel then tied on about 3 feet of 20lb, to 4 feet of 30 at the line itself…
I even use 20lb for my tip up leaders, rarely use tip up line straight to the bait….
a few more options anyhow, but all that matters is sticking to what works for you!
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