PitsfordPirate

I have never float tubed in my life and have no inclination to do so, however I can't imagine anyone trying to fish a #10 weight outfit for Pike from one, a #10 weight pike outfit would be for the boat or bank, like they do on Chew for example. I have a lot of friends whom float tube and this is the first time I have heard of someone targeting pike from one. Must be a heck of a ride with a big one on. No thankyou! The Pirate.

Most serious Pike fly anglers will use serious kit, #9 and #10 rods and lines to match, with proper traces and flies of several inches in length. There is always the chance of hooking into a fish of a lifetime, 30lb plus, they won't want to be doing so on relatively light gear. Another disadvantage of light gear and smaller flies? Picking up too many Jacks, as well as other species including Perch and Trout. Certainly not what serious Pike anglers are targeting. Also, am sure there are those targeting them on light gear and smaller flies, their perogative, I just don't personally recommend or agree with it. Am also concerned with the type of trace being used on lighter gear? Each to their own I suppose though. Good quality inexpensive lines? Toothy Critter, or have a gander at the top two links in my signature. Tightlines! The Pirate.

An RT #8/9 is a fine enough rod, use a #9 floater on it though and consider a #9 sink tip as well. Tightlines! The Pirate.

I also agree that a good Pike would not be an issue on a #7 or #8 set up, goodness knows I have caught enough of them by accident whilst bashing stockies and they handled well enough, however I disagree that those weights are comfortable casting large modern Pike flies, which are in truth nothing like in size and resistence to those used for Steelhead, Kings, Sockeye etc. They are much bigger. I don't know any serious Pike fly angler whom would fish anything less than a #9 weight and considering the welfare of the fish, anyone deliberately targeting them on a #7 or even and #8 is, with all due respect, being irresponsible. You want them hooked, then in, unhooked, revived and released as soon as. No messing about. Paying for what you get, very true in many respects in all areas of life, although there are bargains to be had, lines included. I personally know many lines at less than twenty quid that are comparable with others twice the price. Reason I know this? Well, 'cos many are the same lines from same manufacturer, simply sold under different packaging Tightlines! The Pirate

To be honest, built in welded loops tend to be a bit poor (leader tends to cut through them) and most people just chop them off, instead opting to nail/needle knot a length of 15 to 20lb mono as a butt section, or fit a braided loop. Braided loops only need be an issue if they are not fitted properly. If using them, discard the plastic braid sleeve, it's useless and clunks through the rod rings. These can cause damage to your rings and also cause braided loops to fail. Instead, simply thread the braided loop over the tip of the line and push it up as far as it will go, trim the frayed ends then whip it securely in place with 8/0 or 70 denier fly tying silk. A dab of superglue over the whipping and you are sorted, it should now last the lifetime of your fly line. With regards to fly line choice, you said probably #8 weights? What rod rating do you have? An #8 rod and line tend to be a bit light for Piking, due to the size of the flies you will be casting. This is why most Pikers opt for #9 and even #10 weights, you need something to cast and turn over flies of the size you will be using. You don't need to spend silly money on lines either, there's loads of top quality examples out there for less than twenty quid, some of them just as good as those selling for twice the money. Tightlines! The Pirate.

Thats a few awaiting transfer to my comp boxes GG. No worries though, I will stick up a few photos soon of my Diawl Bach, Cruncher, Hares Ear, Dabbler, Hopper, Cormorant, Buzzers etc boxes soon. Am not into all this secrecy bull, there's nothing to hide, its all rubbish when they go on about secret patterns and the likes, nothing should be secret, we are all anglers at the end of the day and the most important thing about success is actually finding the fish imho, that being my biggest problem sometimes Tightlines! The Pirate

I resemble that remark The Pirate

Thanks Newt! I've already posted a few times but will obviously have to wait for admin to approve them 'cos am a newbie on here. Thing is, by the time they do, they might not make sense or simply echo advice given by others since Tightlines! The Pirate

In order to help further, what particular water/s do you intend to fish? What rod length and rating did you purchase? Tightlines! The Pirate

That's most unfortunate that you haven't had the courtesy of a response Ian, most surprising as well as I have found Hardy/Greys customer service to be pretty good. Try giving them a call on 01665 602 771. http://www.hardyfishing.com/index.php Tightlines! The Pirate

It would appear the Torygraph was well and truly last out of the blocks once again, the whole Ogbourne 'Yobs with Blobs' diatribe was published in 'Trout Fisherman' mag a couple of years back, when he retired from match fishing with great ceremony and more drama than an ITV two-parter. "Good riddance!" was the cry from many on the scene, what a plonker. People can say what they like about Blobs, I don't care, I will still use them to good effect, as well as my Boobies, Diawl Bachs, Crunchers and Buzzers etc. People seem to forget, the bread and butter fly fishing in this country is on stocked waters. How dare anyone look down their nose at me for doing so, when they are bashing stockies like I am, just because they are using so called imitave patterns? Get a grip I say, these are stockies, use what you can within the rules to get a bend in your rod. I pays my money like anyone else and wants my limit like anyone else. Whether I do or not is a different story. How to fish Blobs? Anyway you like within fishery/comp rules. Ripped back at breakneck speed, roly-poly or twiddled, on a floater down to a Di7, doesn't matter, all methods/lines will catch. Most important thing is to find the fish first. A few of my Blobs.................................. Tightlines! The Pirate

Hi GH! I mainly fly fish the large English Midlands stillwaters, such as Rutland, Pitsford and Grafham, with a sprinkling of Elinor, Eyebrook, Thornton and Ravensthorpe. I am also a relatively unsuccessful 'Loch Style' match angler, although my wife, Martha fishes for the England Ladies. I don't believe in hiding behind my username, so here goes, this is moi............. This is my wife......... More pics of her 'cos she is better looking, lol! Tightlines! The Pirate

A very good day to you all and what a beautiful day it is too! Can't believe its taken me this long to join AnglersNet, I tried a while back but wouldn't let me register with a Yahoo email for some reason, so I just gave up. I already know quite a few of you on here and looking forward to getting to know many others as well. Many tightlines! The Pirate