Introducing: Smooth River Guiding Co.

Smooth River Guiding Co., led by expert guide Matt Martin, provides specialized fly fishing trips across Ontario, targeting multiple species such as bass, steelhead, and pike. They offer personalized experiences including walk-and-wade trout sessions and boat-guided tours, with instructional classes for varying skill levels. Pikeonthefly.com highly recommends Matt’s services for an enjoyable and successful fishing outing.

The Everything Pike Stream!

Chris Krysciak, Matt Martin, and Andrew Marr discuss pike fly fishing in a live stream organized by Drift Outfitters. Krysciak, the manager of Drift Outfitters, joins Martin of Smooth River Guiding Co. and Marr from pikeonthefly.com, bringing expertise from various regions and species, including bass and musky.

Hook set’s: by Phil Wiebe

Phil Wiebe, a seasoned pike guide, advocates the strip set over the more common tip set for hooking fish. Strip setting eliminates rod flex and maintains the fly’s visibility, increasing chances of a catch when a fish bites. He acknowledges differing opinions but suggests anglers try strip setting to potentially improve their success rates.

How to break a fly rod…

Andrew Marr humorously outlines methods to break a fly rod, likening aggressive techniques like the “Superman hookset” and “MAXIMUM DRAG POWER” to superhuman feats. He warns against high sticking and mishandling the rod under pressure or while in a boat. Simple neglect like improper storage or entangling rods in ceiling fans and car doors is also advised against for rod preservation. Marr’s pikeonfly.com team confirms the effectiveness of these destructive strategies but suggests using cases for those preferring their rods intact.

Small flies pack a big punch, on big pike!

Andrew Marr reflects on how small flies should not be overlooked when seeking big pike. During the filming of “Common Thread,” Mary, a 70-year-old great grandmother, successively caught numerous large pike, including some over 45 inches, using a small 3.5″ chartreuse and white baitfish fly. Light gear and the effective small fly disproved the notion that only big bait catches big fish, demonstrating that smaller offerings can be surprisingly effective and reduce angler fatigue.

Step-by-step tying: Bunny leech

To create a bunny leech for pike fishing, cover the hook with thread, attach a monofilament loop for tail support, and secure the tail with glue. Wrap a cross cut rabbit strip around the shank, angling it back, and secure each section with glue for durability. Finish with a whip and glue for a slow-sinking, enticing fly.

Step-by-step tying: Seaducer

Andrew Marr provides a detailed 12-step guide (with an optional 13th) for tying a durable Seaducer fly for pike fishing. The process involves preparing and attaching schlappen feathers in pairs, adding flash, and creating a feathered head section. The Seaducer is versatile in color and weight, effective for various fishing conditions, with options for a slower or faster sink rate.

Sun, Sand & Pike

Phil Wiebe dispels the myth that Northern Pike avoid warm waters in summer, particularly in Canadian lakes. Contrary to seeking cooler areas, these fish, visible due to clear water and sandy backgrounds, seem to enjoy the sun and heat, often relaxing rather than feeding. Using sight fishing techniques with appropriate fly patterns, like subtle streamers or noisy flies, anglers can enjoy successful catches of these large, inactive pike during the prime month of July.