Hooked on the Northern River: Landing a 20lb Pike on the Fly
We’ve been testing out musky-style pike flies that the lads over in the USA fish—almost like a Buford fly, but tailored for our northern waters.
The results have been nothing short of spectacular. On our last trip, after a few hours of wading, we crept around the back into some trees and found a small opening into a back eddy where Stu landed a nice 15.5lb pike on the first cast setting the tone for an incredible afternoon.
There’s something almost mythical about chasing pike on a northern river. It’s not just about the catch; it’s the journey, the cold air biting at your face, and the sheer thrill of feeling a river pike on the end of your line. Further down the bank, in another back eddy we came across, i clambered onto a fallen tree trunk that created a platform and was casting to a deep pool. Edging every cast closer to the margin. I cant remember how many casts i made but it wasnt many. As i stripped the line back. Stu and i were both watching attentively.
Out of the depths the water exploded as the pike hit the fly, and the next few minutes were a blur of adrenaline and careful manoeuvring, with all the snags of fallen tree roots I could not give her an inch of line. That fish fought like a demon, but that’s the thrill of pike on the fly. In the end, that 20-pounder came to the net, big thanks to Stu.
A true northern trophy. And that fly? It’s the hero of the story, paired with the best gear out there—the Douglas Sky G rod and Shilton SL8.
If you’re serious about landing a pike like this, you know where to get flies that have been tried and tested.
Stu's 15lb!
Stu's 15lb pike came on the first cast into a back eddy, fell to a Buford-esque fly we were testing for future fly drops.
Set up : Douglas Sky G 9ft 8wt. and Shilton SL8.
Sam's First Ever River Pike!
Sam's First Ever River Pike was a 20lb Mama! A truly unforgettable moment.
Set Up : Douglas SkyG 9ft 8wt and Shilton SL8 reel.
Douglas Sky G
The Set Up
As Ambassadors for Wading Waters Ltd, Stu and I both use the Douglas SkyG Rods for Pike and Salt in 9ft 8wt. The rods are extremely light to cast and the 8wt feels more like a 6wt with the backbone of a 10wt. I felt confident in giving the above 20lb some serious stick with it and didn't let her take an inch, a true testament to the design and technology that gone into this rod.
The Shilton SL8 is a stunning piece of engineering, the drag is meticulously custom-processed and enclosed to provide maximum reliability and smoothness under pressure. The cork drag offers a seamless transition from light to heavy drag settings, allowing you to effortlessly manage sudden bursts of speed from powerful fish.
for a closer look at Douglas SkyG rods click the link below.