Last sunday I went fishing for the first time after returning from Florida.
Hans F, Joop and I went on a quest for Pike in the local streams and ponds. At 09.00 hours in the morning we left for one of our favourite streams. The morning sky was clear, air temperature was about 46F.

With these low temperatures it would be difficult to get the Pike since they
would not be that active. In flowing water like our stream chances would be greater though since Pike always seemed to be more inclined to go after streamers there. My outfit for the day consisted of my new 8 weight Clearwater rod, a ATH reel loaded with a Wonderline redfish taper and a large blue-white deceiver. The leader consisted of a tapered 20lbs leader with as tippet a piece of steel wire that was fitted with a very small propeller. When we arrived at the stream all looked peaceful and quiet. The trees of the surrounding forest where still golden coloured. A light breeze was blowing.



Fall and Winter where the time to go Pike fishing in the local streams.
The abundant aquatic plants in the stream would die off making it possible to fish a streamer without snagging plants all the time. We lined up along the bank and started to throw the streamers along the opposite bank between the reeds. To get the Pike in our neck of the woods you have to wake them up first. In practice this means that you can drag a streamer several times next to a Pike before it finally decides to attack the fly, off course sometimes they strike instantly.

After 10 minutes I had an instant attack on the streamer. The Deceiver landed tight to the opposite bank in front of some remaining aquatic plants. When I moved the steamer a large Pike took the fly. I was taken by surprise and forgot to set the hook properly. Apparently my Pike skills where rusty, thus no fish. Often Pike are willing to strike a lure more than once so I casted the fly to the same spot. This time I hooked a snag and I failed to save the fly and bite guard. The Deceiver was the smallest fly in my Pike collection. The remaining flies where topwater Dahlberg divers and locally tied Pike streamers. Since the fish where sluggish topwater flies where out of the question. I had to continue fishing with one of those half chickens, casting them was pretty ugly.


Pike flies are big, just compare it to the quarter.

The other guys had not that much luck as I did. After fishing for some time without signs of Pike it was quickly decided to try another stretch upstream. The next location was at the inflow of a smaller stream. All summer long there was a lot of activity of baitfish going on there thus a perfect location for Pike to ambush prey.


Probing the stream.

The only guy who saw a Pike was Hans. One fish followed the fly but was not inclined to hit it. Fishing was slow so we moved further upstream again. The next stretch was not far from the German border. The stream had shrunk considerably and average depth had decreased also. Once again I had the most luck as my streamer moved along a patch of
reeds. A small Pike lunged at the streamer and for a short while I had contact with the fish. My flyline was lying in a curve on the waters surface so my strike did not provided a solid hookup. After a few headshakes the Pike said goodbye. My second chance of the day and once again I had messed up.

We had blanked at the stream. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was getting low. There was only one place left for salvation, an urban pond. I would rather fish a stream in the countryside than a pond in the city but we had to give this last ditch try a chance. So the next destination was the city. It turned out to be a “you should have been here yesterday” scenario. The honey hole of Hans yielded only a following Pike that took a look at the streamer Hans was fishing.
We did our best but unfortunately this day the Pike had gotten the better of us. Next day Hans went to the city pond and got his fish.


You should have been here yesterday or in this case tomorrow.

Let’s hope next time we will catch some (more) fish.

Hi Marcel,

Sorry we did not connect wih one another here in Naples. We will. I was browsing the forums and found a person who wants to fly fish Europe. I directed him to you via the Everglades Angler. I hope you do not mind. He may not find you, but you are the best poster of fly fishing I know in Europe!

Here is the link to his inquiry... http://flyfishinginmaine.com/forums/vie ... &forum=1&3


I enjoyed your report and pictures of Pike fishing posted on EA.

I'm helping at the EA shop a few days a week and enjoy it very much.

So far, I have been to Clam Pass and to Dr's. Pass with fair/OK success. That is, the weather was windy and I hit the tide Wrong!! Hooked a few good ones+lost them

Soon I will learn.

Best fishing.

Marshall DeMott

I went to the forum and checked the message out. Looks like the person in question is already in Europe and is travelling around the place.
We will see if he turns up here.

It is not that easy this time of year to give tips about fly fishing destinations in Europe. Since trout are spawning most trout waters are closed. Weather conditions are also less of ideal depending on the region you go to. And then you have the license issue to deal with which consumes a lot of time that most travellers do not have.

You should go with Dave in Clam pass kayaking. When its windy and the water is dirty those back bays would be something worthwhile to check out. Wiggins Pass would also be an option if you have a kayak or boat, especially since the river always has clean water.
You have to stay out of the casting range of Dave though....