Bruce E. Harang Image

Antique Pike Fly Pattern No. 1

Materials: 
Hook:                   2/0 10X Long Shank Pike Hook
Thread:                 Bright Yellow 6/0
Tag:                      Gold Oval Tinsel
Body:                    Bright Red Seal’s fur or Salmo Web twisted in a dubbing loop and brushed out
Rib:                       Flat Gold Tinsel
Wing:                    Pair of Peacock Swords
Hackle:                 Bright Yellow
Head:                   Bright Yellow Thread

           In his Book of Angling the third edition of 1872, Francis Francis advises that pike flies are “…as thick as a man’s little finger” and that “…this apparatus, more like a good size humming bird than anything else, is cast and worked like a salmon fly, and when pike are inclined to take it, it is the most sporting and agreeable way of fishing for them.”
          Earlier advise on pike fly size was given by Alexander Mackintosh in The Driffield Angler, published about 1806 includes “…about the thickness of a tomtit and about three inches long.”
          This rendition of an old pattern utilizes the peacock sword feathers for the wings. Interestingly the stem of these feathers is so stiff that the wing can not become fouled around the hook. This is a definite advantage when casting a fly that in this particular case is six inches long.

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Bruce E. Harang Image

Antique Pike Fly Pattern No. 2

Materials: 
Hook:                   2/0 10X Long Shank Pike Hook
Thread:                 Black 6/0
Tail:                      Bright Red Turkey Quill Slips tied like biot tails on a stonefly nymph
Body:                   Black Angora Yarn built up to a very thick body
Wing:                    Pair of Peacock Eyes
Hackle:                 Bright Red
Head:                   Black thread

           In his Hand Book of Angling in 1847 Ephemera observes that “…in the latter summer months, and on fine days in Autumn, when the deeps are curled with a fine breeze, pike are to be taken very pleasantly by means of the artificial fly. The best imitation is a very large one of the Dragon Fly. I have seen nondescript large gaudy flies kill Pike well, and Mr. Blacker, of Dean Street, Soho, is the best dresser of them I know.”
          If you need further convincing to try Pike fishing with a fly consider what David Foster says in the third edition of his The Scientific Angler. “The largest fish seem most partial to the fly; whether it is that they are hunger-bitten, or whether they rise in the spirit of wantonness, we cannot presume to say.”
          If you are partial to a “wanton rise” Pike fishing with the fly rod may be just your ticket.

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