Pike Jamboree—US Division 2016
My friends, Chuck Furimsky (The Fly Fishing Shows), and Bill Keough (Keough hackle) wanted to make a serious impression in the ongoing pike jamboree, so they grabbed fly rods and headed north into Canada for some big pike.
And they succeeded. Chuck nailed a real beauty—3 feet of impressive northern pike on the fly rod.
Not to be outdone, Bill hooked one of 42 ½ inches, and just to be certain that he received “best angler” award for the trip, immediately reset the drag very loose. The reel overspun and a massive bird’s nest ensued. To make it a bit tougher on himself (again to prove he was the most qualified for the title), he then wrapped the line around the rod tip several times. Now it gets really good. Again, in his fury to be voted top dog of the expedition, he handed the rod to the guide to untangle, and held the line between thumb and forefinger, keeping tension on the pike. The fish must have been nonplussed by these antics and simple held on until Bill was ready to go again. The fight ensued, and the guide scooped the big fish into the net.
This was a pike fishing expedition, so they also caught walleye pike—in amazing abundance. They caught enough to make walleye popsicles (if they had wanted) in addition to all the ones they tossed back and ate for lunch every day.
All in all a most successful trip.
Chuck took a very fine pike of 3 feet.
Not to be outdone, Bill took this monster by mis-adventure.
Perfect size for walleye-sicle, a.k.a. frozen pike on a stick.
The lunch stringer.
Chuck with another plate of walleye filets–Mmmmm.