Spring Pike on A Fly - The Clouser Minnow

Most of the northern pike I catch are incidental to fishing for other species of fish, namely the walleye. But in the early spring I fish for them specifically. Pursuing prairie pike with a fly rod is a fishing bonus, particularly for those of us who want to fly fish, but don't have access to the pristine trout streams that other areas of the country boast.

Our prairie lakes and reservoirs may not hold the large pike that exist in the far northern lakes, but they can prove to be every bit as exciting. If you have not fished for pike while using a fly rod, you are in for a real treat, especially in the spring when the northern pike's metabolism and aggressiveness is at its peak.

In the west central part of Minnesota, where I do most of my fishing, ice usually covers the lakes until about mid April. The fish will begin to move into the shallow bays while the ice is still present. The pike begin their twisting and thrashing breeding ritual when there is floor ice on the bays, and the water is cold. They do however begin to feed heavily right after their spawning activities.

Where are the pike likely to be located? Pike are ambush feeders; therefore, they stage near or in weed beds, reefs, timber, boulders, or other structures which offers the opportunity to ambush their prey. When the water is boiled up by surface winds, they will hold just inside or outside the murky water waiting for a meal to swim by.

You don't have to be anything near an expert to fish for pike with a fly rod. Accuracy is not as essential as if it would be if you were fly fishing a small trout stream, nor is presentation as crucial. Pike are not particular when it comes to attacking bait.

Outfitting yourself with the proper equipment is hardly a bewildering task. Today many manufacturers offer fly fishing packages with everything you need to get started. Many of these outfits begin at under $100.

I am partial to an 8'6" foot 7/8 weight graphite rod. This rod handles a #6 Clouser Minnow adequately. A 5/6 weight rod would also work and for smaller pike may be preferred. A floating WF (weight forward) line is all you will need since its weight forward makes it easy to cast. If you are just starting out, don't be hesitant to purchase one of the combination packages. Most combo packages will equip the beginner with everything you will need to begin fly-fishing.

Once having purchased your equipment, I would suggest a short half hour of casting practice in your backyard. This is all the time you will need to practice casting. Then, head off to the shallow water of your favorite lake and begin fishing.

Learning to cast with a fly rod is not difficult. There is any number of excellent videos on the market showing you basic fly fishing techniques. Books, magazines and the internet can provide you with good information. One book I would recommend for beginners is, "Fly Fishing for the Complete Idiot," by Michael Rutter, Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula Montana. It covers everything you will need to know as a beginning fly fisherman.

A good internet source for fly fishing information is www.flyfishamerica.com. This internet source also provides reference to many sporting goods stores and outfitters that cater to the fly fisherman.

I know that fly fishing purists would categorize the Clouser Minnow as nothing more than a lead headed jig, but if the truth be known, most of them have one tucked away in their fly box. Invented by Bob Clouser, it is by far the most well known minnow imitating fly on the market today.

The Clouser Minnow has been modified over the years and is tied in a variety of patterns and color schemes. I am partial to the chartreuse with a white underside and some krystal flash added for attraction. Bucktail, in various colors, is usually used for the fur part of the fly.

The fly is quite simple to tie. Using a standard streamer hook, such as a Mustad 34011 stainless or 94833 or 3407 plated, tie in the lead eyes. Next, tie in the bottom wing, reverse the hook and tie in the krystal flash under the wing. Then tie in the top wing, whip finish and your fly is complete.

When fishing for pike with the Clouser Minnow I would suggest trying various retrieval depths as well as varying the stripping speed.

A great way to begin fishing for pike with your fly fishing setup is to cast parallel to the weed line or drop off, let the fly sink for a few seconds, depending on the water depth, and then retrieve it in a series of short, snappy, six inch strips every second or two. Strip speeds don't have to be fast, but they should be lively. In the spring, pike don't get excited about slow retrieves; therefore, a fast snappy retrieve seems to trigger the most aggressive instinctual response to strike.

The next time you're in your local sporting goods store, consider gearing up with the necessary equipment, and take advantage of some of the best fly-fishing the prairie pothole region has to offer...Northern Pike with a Fly Rod.

Editor's Note: John Askew lives in Fargo, North Dakota and spends his summers tweaking his fly rod techniques while fishing Little Pine Lake near Perham, Minnesota. If you would like more information about this exciting fishing you can contact John at jcrx@702com.net.

Photo Credit: Photos provided by Dakota Tackle of Bismarck, North Dakota. For all your fly fishing inquiries contact Dakota Tackle at 701-222-3092 or 1-800-880-4665 or stop by and check out their excellent supply of fly fishing gear.