Autumnal Winds and Wading Water - Pike!
Autumn Pike Session – A morning to Remember
There’s something special about the first proper pike session of autumn. The rivers feel refreshed, the air has a touch of crispness to it, and the fish are starting to switch on. After a week of good rain, the rivers in my local patch had been flushed out and were sitting at a perfect level, so I decided it was time to head out and try a new stretch. For obvious reasons, the exact location will remain "hush hush" – but it turned out to be an absolute gem.
Armed with my new Douglas SkyG 9ft #8 paired with a Shilton SL8, I set off with big hopes. The plan was to work the backwaters, searching for those ambush points where we all know love to lurk in the quieter corners of the river. Conditions looked spot on, and it didn’t take long for things to come together.
First cast to the far bank with a gold jig fly – one strip – and bang! The line went tight, and I was into a strong, solid fish. After a tense battle, I managed to slip the net under a stunning 13lb 5oz pike. Not a bad way to open the account on a new stretch!
A little while later, another take – this time a lively jack of around 6lb. They might not be the monsters, but they’re always a joy to catch and add to the buzz of the day.
With time running out, I started making my way back to the car, happy enough with what had already been a cracking morning. But as every angler knows, it’s always worth one last cast. I stopped at a small backwater, clipped on my frosty perch jerkbait fly, and cast across to the far bank. One strip and – bang! – I was in again, and this one felt different. The fish went ballistic, tail walking across the pool, giving me one of the hardest fights I’ve had in a long time. Eventually, I brought her to the net – a magnificent 15lb 4oz pike. What a way to finish.
Days like this are why we fish – the anticipation, the connection, the sheer adrenaline of a big fish on the fly. With the season just beginning, I can’t wait to see what the coming months have in store. If this session is anything to go by, it’s going to be a fun ride.
