Pike Adventures with Ken Capsey

Pike Stamps from around the world...

2012-01-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

This stamp hails fron Sweden. Good stuff.this is a cool way for P.A. to post pics for the readers , once a week on these cool stamps from around the world!!

McFluff's quick and easy baitfish

2012-01-24T17:29:00.000-08:00

A great pattern from Dave. Quick easy pike snacks. it's like fast food for pike!!!!">

P.A's Favorites of 2011

2012-01-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

Just a few good memories from 20011. From pickerel pike and musky........if it's got teeth then that's where we'll be. 2012 is already lookin good and when 1st thaw hits well red rag to a bull...look out!

Bill Dance Bloopers.....Funny as HELL!!!

2012-01-13T14:35:00.001-08:00

Hey HO!

2012-01-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

A crossover deceiver type pattern tied with super hair and a 4/0 mustad 34007. This was our Beer challenge Dave. Lost in the Cobb webs of our heads I guess bro.........Any way I like the looks of this guys at around 6.5 inches long I think this will be a good ice out pattern. Deer Creek eyes of course and some of this and that. I found that by using mono thread made this fly more to my liking. If you haven't twisted bugs with mono give it a go. Tight Lines folks from a snowy Pike Ranch in Northern VT!

Dirty Harry Callahan twists some bugs!!!

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Do ya feel lucky punk???

VFG bucktails

2011-12-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

Taking care of my stash......... Northern VT deer tails for pike and musky flies. Wash and dry....let sit.... wash and dry so on and so on. Era luandry detergent.....never seen whiter whites!!! It's a big learning curve and i'm new to the tail care but i'm learning. I also helps keep my mind on great patterns and the comming of spring. Right now it's blowing and freezing cold like 1 degree outside. Love my wood stove!!! Happy tying folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas ...Henry Rollins style.

2011-12-24T02:26:00.000-08:00

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From Pike Adventures..Merry Christmas to you all and have a safe and wonderful New Year!!!

A nice Letter from friend at P.A.

2011-12-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Ken,

I have had some insane Pike Adventures over the years in Vermont & New York. Growing up spin fishing for them in Lake Champlain, Monkton Pond, Lake Hortonia, Bristol Pond, Lake Dunmore, Otter Creek and the Lemon Fair. On lures I landed several over the 40 inch mark. I never, ever fished for Trout like most of my friends. Hiking up steep terrain to catch 7 inch Brookies could not compare to the viscous attach a lunker Pike made on a 8 inch top-water wooden lure. However when I started to fly fish it made more sense, but I never, ever wanted to stop chasing pike.

Now I am searching for my first 40 inch Pike on a fly.

In 2011 I did get close to that mark twice. Two Master Class Pike stand out a 36" & 37" both landed on Otter Creek while wading and chucking huge flies. Both were massive and put my 10 foot Orvis 8wt. to the test. Landing them that big with out a net by yourself is a challenge. I moved a FEW that were bigger and just getting a miss or swirl gets my heart pumping!

I did help Jake Haigh land a 40 inch Pike this summer...

This was an epic Pike Adventure for sure & it ended with Jake holding up his first ever 4o inch Pike, his grin said it all! Jake is my girlfriend's cousin and we fish & golf a bunch. He only spin fishes, mostly top-water for Bass. We chase Pike & Bass in small ponds all over the state in my canoe. I use my fly rod and he chucks Rubber Frogs, Jitter Bugs & Hula poppers mostly.

So we were fishing that August afternoon on Otter Creek in my canoe and we had a few follows and strikes from good size ones. We each landed several small Pike and Smallmouths Bass. I had dug out some of my old Pike lures and brought them along. I tossed Jake a 8 inch stick-bait and after about 10 cast he got a hit that was insane. He was using a small rod maybe a 5 footer the reel spooled with 8lb test that he has not changed in years. Anyway it was a crazy battle. I beached the canoe, jumped out and was able to grab the Pike enough to get it out of the water. A random dude was hanging out and took the pic of both of us. Before this Pike Jake had never landed one much over 30inches!

A month later in this same spot I landed a 36 incher which was fat & at the time my biggest Pike ever on a fly rod. This time I was alone and wading. A few cast before I landed a 28 inch Pike that tore me up & jumped once. This was about a month after the FLOOD and the Creek was down for the first time. I was using a fly my buddy Charlie gave me he night before, called the "Fur Burger". He claimed to have landed over 75 Pike on that pattern so far this season!

Then a few days after an epic Steeelhead trip this November I was trying out some new Vermont Fly Guys flies and landed one a few pounds heavier and a full 37 inches! It is the meanest fish I have landed on a fly! It hit Brian's "Switch Hitter"! It fought as much as a 36 inch Coho I had caught 3 days before in the Salmon River in Ny!

One thing that will help me land my 40 incher next year in using bigger & badder flies! I am pumped to be using more of the Vermont Fly Guys patterns. They crush big fish!

Cheers Brian Cadoret

Cheers Brian! Great story and keep at it with a positive attitude. There's alot of know it alls out there that will tell ya this and that just keep at it handle with those pike care and youll be a ok!! Cheers .........Ken!

Little dude BIG flies.......

2011-12-20T13:39:00.001-08:00

My son loves big flies. He loves pike becuase they have teeth. I can't argue with that one bit. He also loves to tie. My boy..............

Replica skull

2011-12-16T13:44:00.001-08:00

crazy bad ass to the core. Tight Lines..................

"PIKE DUSTERS"

2011-12-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

My original and still very deadly , easy casting pike fly. With a bit of classic flare and some flash this is a real tasty pike snack. The trick is bulk. There are 8full legth feathers tied in with 3 tip tied marabou fluffs with hollow tied flash and the head being topped with 3 large saddle hackles. Light weight and flashy makes this one of my go to patterns. It's fun to tie and every pike fly tier has these materials layin around. Enjoy and tight Lines!

now that's BOLD!

2011-12-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

check out this pike's color's those are some stand out markings. Not sure why some pike are like this. If anyone has any answers or ideas I would love to hear about it! Tight Lines and I hope you all are gettin out to toss some fluff!

Get the Blender!!!

2011-12-03T03:44:00.000-08:00

Blending bucktail. It's not rocket science folks , just a simple trick to mix it up a bit. Enjoy and tight lines!

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Buck Tail Love.

2011-11-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

Prime northern VT bucktails. Alot of work but the end result pays in big time. Brian and I have a surplus of good tails boraxed and drying as well as some that just took the scrub and wash plunge. I use the wood stove in the kitchen to my favor to dry the buggers. I have a process which seems to work so far. From the skinning right through to the final scrub I think we got some good tying tails. White as ever and looking good!!

last ditch efforts.........

2011-11-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

Saw some musky got a hook into 1. Congrats to buddy Kevin...fat little musky late in the season on an Ugly Betty. He says its s favorite style of fly. Thanks buddy! Oh how I love those pickerel , pike and musky.....mouth fulls o teeth...mmmmmmmmmm

On the river............

2011-11-26T03:46:00.000-08:00

Who's the looney tune??? Me! Just a still shot of the parting adventure for musky day. Time is tickin so I am out to toss some flies Sunday. Full reprt when I return folks. Tight Lines and sharp ass hooks!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.A.'s 2 thumbs up!!!

2011-11-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

This time of year demands warmer clothing. Yup 30's and 40's with 50 degree days being a heat wave. It is also the best time to be out before ice up and catch that monster pike or musky on the fly. Well I love being out side anyway wether they are hittin flies or not. My one favorite piece of gear???? Carharrt heavy duty flannel. well priced, comfy as hell and looks pretty snazzy as well. Here's a link to the carharrt site. http://www.carhartt.com Jerimiah Johnson would kill to get his hands on these shirts. Tight Lines!

Louie Spray

2011-11-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

Louie's record musky...man what a fish!!! Musky mean bad ass apex predators and alot of fun to chase whether you hook one or not. Just being around is enough for me. Tight Lines folks.

POW!

2011-11-17T13:49:00.001-08:00

"Duce Diablo" ya dig!!! Mr. MUSKY likes em.............

catch...photo ... RELEASE.

2011-11-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

This past weekend yeiled a nice musky and a few follows. The 20 count down and slow strip method. Cool water temps and spittin snow. I love late fall in the north country....... Big Flies and angry fish. Keep your eyes peeled as my buddy Brian Price and I are takin on a side project of big flies and custom bucktails sure to please. Winter is long here and nothin beats having a side project to wittle away on while the snow piles up out side. We will keep ya posted.........

Old Cal Johnson photo...

2011-11-13T03:42:00.000-08:00

Alot of history there. That's a beast. I'll troll the net and see if I can find a Louie Spray picture...he was the musky man! Tight Lines.....

A new additon to Pike Adventures.......

2011-11-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

One on it's way and I am very excited to have it!!!!!! This is a handy little gem to get from here to there for sure. Check it out at Orvis . com.....
Tight Lines......get out and fish before the weather turns too bad...enjoy it while it lasts!!!!!!!!

I hate it when they just land in the boat........

2011-11-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Old man and the sea?????

Musky tossers............

2011-11-02T13:28:00.001-07:00

Some things you just have to work at. Musky fly fishing is one of them. You may be lucky to nab one on a 1st outing but don't think for one second it's gonna happen again. Atleast it don't happen for me. I love the challange the time of year and every hard thing that comes along with it. When it all comes together ..well sweet victory! I had 2 hook ups and lost both and you know what....victory...I love being around those fish. Big flies ...good friends and good food....nothin better.

Take a bite !!

2011-10-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

A little different veiw of a predator's make up. Nice set of dental work there!! Tight lines all!

Use The FORCE!

2011-10-27T02:23:00.001-07:00

Dave asked me to tie and fish an all black subbbug just for him this weekend. With Yoda on my side I whipped up an 8 inch all black darth vader style subbbug. Look out toothies I've got the dark side of the force.......................

Pike Adventures...

2011-10-24T15:38:00.001-07:00

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Many thanks Sara Palin...........you rock da vote! P.A.'s stamp of approval!

Fly Porn.......

2011-10-21T23:52:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to F.B. buddy Earl Judd for sharing this pic of hard core fluff with me. Earl calls this beast "screamin sunrise". Nothin better than big ole natural on a hook for Mike. He was kind enough to offer me a few.... I'll be lookin forward to gettin those guys soaked. Cheers Earl! Fall bite is in full swing so get out and wet a line. Remember no matter where you are fall weather in the north country is very unpredictable at times so be safe when your out. Life jackets , cell phones and a note stating where you are fishing are a must. Tight Lines!!

E.P. aint so bad...

2011-10-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

learn how to use the stuff and make some really kick ass pike and musky flies. Some say too much waste i say BAHHH HUMBUG learn how to use it. Tight Lines!

pike art.........

2011-10-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Iv'e featured this before but I just love it. Bob White art is just great stuff ! Enjoy and tight Lines!!

PUCKER UP

2011-10-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Dinner is served. MIKE is fall hungary. As a personal request , MIKE asked for more subbugs...I can do that MIKE.. Tight Lines and sharp hooks!

Understanding fly lines

2011-10-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

The basics on how different types of fly lines work on the water. The picture demonstrates it visually. There are alot of specialty lines like your pike and musky , bass bug, spey , dry fly and salty stuff to get lost with. I remember when I started out a simple level line 5wt was all I had. Then when I started throwing bigger streamers at trout I bought a brand new orvis wt forward 6wt line and I couldn't believe the difference. Anyway just a Little something to share with you all from Pike Adventures. Hope it helps. Tight Lines and sharp hooks!!!!!

Pike Porn

2011-10-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to good friend Jonny B. This was his latest catch from a local pond nice work buddy! Dave's been chasin em down from across the pond as well. Look at the teeth on those Scottish pike love it!!! Subbugs were the ticket and am not surprised. They should be in every piker's arsenal. Send some pics and I'll feature you here on P.A.!! Tight Lines folks!

Pike Art.......

2011-09-30T13:49:00.001-07:00

Yum look at the chops on this man!!! Great art indeed!

Tossin Tips.....

2011-09-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hammer Head pike flies. A mix of D diver's and the imfamous SUB BUG by pred head Dave Lindsay. Just a quick video on coating my fly with 5 min epoxy......... enjoy. I you want the step by step on how to tie this killer fly just post here and speak up i'll be glad to do it for you.">

Sunday Pike Art

2011-09-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

Send me this post card please!!! Enjoy and tight lines.......

Pike Adventures..........

2011-09-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Cooler temps shorter evenings and yep the sweet smell of a woodstove in the distance. My favorite time of year and the pike bite is pretty good too! Fat willing to eat pike eating big wads of feathers , fur and bucktail. A fly fisherman's best shot a fat fall pike. The smaller ones are eager as well so don't count them out as they fight like junk yard dogs. Lately I have been tossing snacks on the 10 inch and over side and with big bucktail heads with lots of flash to get some attention. Water clarity varies from spot to spot I fish so having plenty of flashy colors right down to natural or neutral colors helps. Don't be afraid to fish those odd colors as well as sometimes the strange and out of the ordinary color in a pike's world will cause them to eat and kill anything that seems strange or vulnerable. I try to think like a predator sometimes and it's the best game plan to start with. Here are some pictures of some recent outings. Big and small no matter the size they are all worthy when you love what you do "pike , pickerel and musky" all have a place in my heart! Tight Lines and keep safe on the water whether on foot or in the boat!

Thanks To Everyone!!!

2011-09-18T15:32:00.001-07:00

To all who visit and bookmark my Pike Adventures blog. Thanks for the continued support and all the kind words. When I started this blog way back when I had never thought it was going to be as good as it has gotten. Iv'e met some great and interesting people along the way. So from the pike ranch here in VT a big ole US thumbs up and tight lines.....CHEERS!

E.P. vise......tasty!!!

2011-09-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Check this out from E.P. flies.

This looks like a sweet little rig. I enjoy tying with E.P. material. A bit pricey but when you learn to tie with it I think it pays for it's cost ten fold. Tight Lines and welcome fall time BOOOYAA!!!

Good Stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Rabitt one of my favorites for pike , pickerel and musky flies. The movement is unmatched in my opinion. Check out Spirit River's new line up. I picked up some magnum fire tiger zonker's yummmmyyy!!! http://spiritriver.net

Champlain Greats.....

2011-09-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

The neighbor let me take a couple of pics of a pike he caught a few years back. Though I am sad to see it on the wall it goes to show there are some good sized pike out there. The rain is comming down and makes for a good day to be inside with the family. Stay dry and tight lines!!!!

A good pattern done natural!

2011-08-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

Pike Art

2011-08-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

A Man hole cover never looked sooo good!!!! More cities need to get on this band wagon!!!! Awesome work and very stunning!!! Your feet never had it so good!!!

"Tallywacker" 1 Esox 0!!

2011-08-25T13:05:00.001-07:00

Lots of takes and a couple of pike stuck on the 9 inch flies. My son Kaiden with a nice ditch pickle on the fly!!! A nice musky was lost at the boat but thats how it goes!! With the hurricane looming I am hoping to get one evening out before the storm...will see. Tight Lines and good luck!!!

The "tallywacker"

2011-08-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

One of my pike and musky flies as of late. This is a 9 inch articulated tandem snack. Water tested on a sinking and intermediate rio 10 wt line this thing id the fly rodders version of a rapala! The key...hollow tying and lots of it and half a chicken too. My musky venture was cut short due to lightning so stay tuned as I will be puttin these patterns on the testing grounds from Miss Bay to N.Y.!! 4/0 hook in front and 3/0 in the back mustads. Tight lines folks!!!

Pickerel ohhh pickerel........

2011-08-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

Awaiting cooler weather.... and that means bigger active feeding fish.......Hope you all have been gettin into some fish.. tight lines!!!

MUSKY in house!

2011-08-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

Someday I hope to visit. Located in the Musky capital of the world Hayward Wisconsin. Built in 1978 with a hieght of 4.5 stories tall , a length of 140ft long and 10ft wide with a weight of 500 tons this must be a impressive site to see!!! Maybe I could start to work on building Vermont's biggest pike replica in my back yard......HMMMmmmmmmm. Tight Lines!!

Musky Art

2011-08-12T13:16:00.001-07:00

BAD ASS!

Tight Ass Tip 101!!

2011-08-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

While tying up some pike/musky flies the other day I needed some prism sticky eyes. Well low and behold I was out. Time to improvise. Never count a good tier out! So here you have it. Maybe you do this or maybe you don't but it work's slick as shit for me. All you need is a trip to the craft store.

1. sticky back prism paper. They sell these in a wide range of colors for 60 cents I think.

2. paper punch your choice in size . I have 2 versions. 1/8 and a 3/16th. 4.99$

3. Fine point pen or a marker what ever works for you.

Following the pics and material list you should get the drift. Tight Lines and enjoy. This is enough to make 100 eyes atleast. On deceiver heads coated with 5 minute epoxy I can't tell the difference between mine and the fly shops and I dropped less than 10 bucks!!!

Northern Vermont has bad ass pike too!

2011-08-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah just a few nice pike that I have tangled with..... Practice safe and respectful care when releasing your pike. Tight Lines and sharp hooks...

Pike Art....

2011-08-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Just love trolling the net and finding these great pictures....enjoy and tight lines.....Pike Adventures...for all your toothy needs on the fly!!!

MMMMMMMM....USKY!!!!

2011-08-03T13:43:00.001-07:00

Some recent Musky and they fight like hell!!! Tight Lines !!!!

Musky Pattern Part 1

2011-07-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

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Today's Fly....

2011-07-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

This stuck me 2 musky today. An experiment that turned out to be the deal sealer!!! There is room to improve or maybe I should just leave well enough alone??? Hmmmm Tight Lines and sharp hooks!!!

FLY PORN

2011-07-27T16:26:00.001-07:00

YUM YUM....Tight Lines!!

One Glue to RULE THEM ALL!!!

2011-07-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

One of the best glues out there to my knowledge. I use this stuff for everything at the bench!!!

GAR-GAN-TUAN!!!

2011-07-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have another fish to love and yes with teeth. They smell and the fight. I am in full junkie pursuit now.. cheers Drew. Gar on the fly....love it.

Got Wood???

2011-07-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Bamboo rods...old time , old skool relics to some. For me it's just another level of enjoyment to take esox on. I'll be out this week trying to put ole Esox Niger on the wood. I will be tossin a 6-7wt 3 piece south bend rod. Top that with a old click and pawl and some feathered flies gramp's would have tossed it's on. Here is a pic from last years vintage venture.....Enjoy and tight Lines!!!

GREAT PIC!!!

2011-07-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Beth Godin of http://dponthefly.blogspot.com/ caught a fantastic pickerel on the fly with Drew Price over the weekend. That's a beauty of a fish ! Pickerel are fantastic fish!!! If you haven't chased them yet on the fly then your missin out!!! Tight lines and good job Beth!!!

"hell cats" and some Pike Adventures...

2011-06-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

A may fly dun....HELP ME identify!!

E.P. perch pattern under water...good stuff!

Broke my personal best. 25.25 inches long Happy fluffchucker!!

Beauty.....

Drew Price say's stick em up !!!!!

"hell cat" black and purple version....

Version # 2 this looks sick swimmin over top of weed beds. These are tied on orvis pike and musky 4/0 hooks. I really like these hooks for this style of fly. Lots of room to work on and they are sharp as hell!!So there you have it. The flies the fish and good times. Tight Lines and bent rods!

Chew on it!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Found this picture of a canadian musky skull. If you think that looks scary try being chased down in the water fleeing for your life. Ducks , snakes , lizards , frogs , small kids.... That would leave me with a dirty set of drawers!!!!!! And llok at those bottom canines.......... you better be useing wire bite guard just sayin.. Tight Lines and sharp hooks friends of the fluff!!!

Piketrek boys "out takes"

2011-06-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

The fellas are at it again. Stickin pike on the fly is the goal but the fun that goes along and mayham are the other part. Enjoy and tight lines!!!
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Happy 1st day of Summer in VT!

2011-06-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

No reason's to complain.Toothies are hittin. Some small guys and gettin some of the bigger girls. I missed a donkey of a pickerel the other nite pushin 25 inches plus to a bad hook set. Good thing is I know where he is lurkin. Give it a week it calm down and I'll be knockin on your door Mr Chain. Tight Lines and plenty of sun protection. Nothin's worse than a bad sun burn. You do the thinking a week of red skin or 5 minutes to protect yourself from the sun's deth rays.....

For Father's Day!!

2011-06-17T02:25:00.000-07:00

I know a few fellas who would love one of these for father's day or any day for thar matter. Show the love for Mike and put this in your arsenal. Click on the link below and go to town!! Tight Lines!http://www.cafepress.com/+hooded_sweatshirt,191330418

Pucker up !!!!!!

2011-06-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

A face only your mother could love or a devoted Pred fly fisherman. Yep that's me and I know it!!! Have fun share your knowledge and be cool about it is my motto! Laid back big smiles and some toothy critters on your line is what it's all about! Tight Lines all!

More on ole "chain link"

2011-06-11T17:58:00.001-07:00

Esox Niger is his name and attacking is the game. Current world record 9 lb 6 oz caught in Georgia in 1961. Thats a hell of a fish as your average pickerel are around 2lbs or so. . I'd love to stick one of that size myself...ahhh dreams I guess. Frogs , lizards , snakes , small helpless creatures that happen to fall in the water and of course baitfish and crayfish all become pickerel buffet. Now I have been at this game a while on the the fly and everytime I hook a pissed pickerel I am amazed by how the fight just don't seem to end. That's why when Dave comes to visit my one goal is to help him better his pickerel catch from last year. Bigger in size and larger than life smiles. 7-8 wt rods rigged with some sweet flies tied by us will fill the bill. Calm waters and a slight chop early mornings with fresh coffee can't beat it! If you have any questions or want some help getting started with esox on the fly feel free to hit me up. Tight Lines happy tying and tight loops!!

Musky on the Fly.....

2011-06-07T13:23:00.001-07:00

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HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....

2011-06-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Found this feather wing trolling the net. Think it can be Esoxed up????? Sure can and I know a few pickerel who would have a go at it as well. Stay tuned. Let's see you tie up your version of it and send the pic on over to me at ken.capsey@hotmail.com and I will feature it for ya here!! Tight lines and have fun!

Cold Weather Pike on the Fly....

2011-06-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

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"nettles" a river bank pain in the ass!!

2011-05-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a good article on these little buggers. I found myself in a patch along my parents brook trout stream. Ouch is all I have to say. The little stinging needles make you want to swear and hit something....really. I know this is kinda off the fish subject but , it's not really because I am sure at one time or another you have ran into these guys fly fishing too. Be safe!

Common nettle
Name: Common nettle( stinging nettle )Latin name: Urtica dioica L.Occurrence: A rhizomatous to stoloniferous perennial, common nettle is abundant and generally distributed in the UK and is recorded up to 2,700 ft. It is native on riverbanks and in hedgerows, grassy places, near buildings and where the ground is littered with rubble. Common nettle is favoured by conditions in woodland clearings and at the early stages of coppicing. It likes high nitrogen levels and can survive in moderate shade. The rhizomes have difficulty penetrating compacted soil and it prefers open textured soils of pH 5.0 to 8.0.As a perennial weed, common nettle is troublesome around the margins of arable fields and in gardens. It is also prolific on the rich land that borders meadows and pastures, often encroaching into the field. However, it does not spread far into arable fields except as isolated seedlings. In a study of seedbanks in arable soils in the English midlands sampled in 1972-3, common nettle seed was recorded in 13% of the fields sampled in Oxfordshire and 41% of those in Warwickshire but never in large numbers. Common nettle is variable in size, leaf shape and flower form, and several varieties have been described. Dried nettles provide excellent fodder and are readily eaten by farm animals. If cut before flowering and thoroughly dried, nettles make excellent hay with a protein content equivalent to Lucerne/clover. Despite the stalky nature it is well digested by stock animals even pigs, fowl and rabbits. Common nettle has been used as a food plant when young and tender. The plant accumulates iron, calcium and magnesium and is considered to have medicinal value. Fibres from the stem were used to make linen and ropes. Common nettle is an important alternative host of carrot fly and removal of nettles from hedgerows has been suggested as a means to suppress the pest. However, a range of aphid species that are fed on by beneficial predator insects also infests it. Common nettle is the main food plant for the caterpillars of several butterfly species.Biology: Common nettle flowers from May to September. Flowering on individual plants is protracted and may last several months. Plants do not flower in their first year. Plants bear only male or female flowers that are usually wind pollinated. Flowering is inhibited by drought and shade. Common nettle also requires long days to stimulate flowering. Plants cut down in flower do not produce viable seed. Plants cut when the perianths are green but with the seeds at the milk stage, ripen seeds that germinate normally. Seeds are able to germinate immediately on a bare soil in full sunlight but germination is delayed in closed vegetation. Seeds sown in field soil and cultivated periodically emerge sporadically through the year with a peak in April. Seedlings appear from March onwards mostly from bare soil. The concentration of phosphate in the soil can influence seedling distribution. A low concentration can restrict early growth. Nettle seedlings grow rapidly in the first few weeks to stay above the developing vegetation.Common nettle has tough yellow roots and creeping stems rooting at the nodes. The horizontal shoots develop a short distance below the soil surface. New rhizomes are formed in late summer or autumn from older rhizomes or from the stem bases of aerial shoots. They continue to grow until the death of the aerial shoots and they then turn upwards to form new shoots. The shoot tips may die back if frosted. Under prolonged drought conditions, vegetative growth is restricted. The plant overwinters as rhizomes with short green shoots. Persistence and Spread: Abundant seed is produced, most is short lived but some viable seeds remained after 5 years even in cultivated soil. Seeds have been recorded in large numbers in the soil beneath pastures even when the plant was poorly represented in the vegetation. Seed viability was not affected by dry storage in the first 2 years.The rootstock is tough, creeps extensively and enables the plant to spread rapidly. Rhizomes broken up by cultivation readily re-root. The seed enclosed in its perianth can catch on clothing and animal fur to aid dispersal. Common nettle seed has been found as a contaminant in samples of grass seed. Common nettle seeds are ingested by worms and excreted in wormcasts. Seeds are also dispersed in the droppings of cattle deer and magpies. The seeds can float in water for 1 week.Management: Control is by removing the rootstocks as thoroughly as possible when nettle patches are small. The collected material should be burnt. Repeated hoeing will exhaust the rootstocks eventually. Seedlings may be destroyed by frequent surface cultivations in spring and autumn. Common nettle cannot tolerate regular cultivations at rhizome depth. The shallow creeping rhizome does not regenerate well after repeated fragmentation. In grass, regular cutting beginning when shoots appear in spring and repeated each time shoots reach 6-12 inches should effectively destroy it. In a clover/grass pasture, it was noted that common nettle was more likely to be associated with areas where clover was dominant than where grasses made up the majority of the vegetation cover. In unimproved pasture, common nettle increased under annual cutting for hay.The regular trampling of cattle can wipe out common nettle. Salt licks around nettle clumps will attract stock to trample the weed. Overgrown areas of nettle are best cut in dry conditions to allow the surface roots to dry out in the sun and wind. On grazing land, stock will readily eat cut and wilted nettles but avoid the growing plant. Rabbits also avoid it.

Pike Art....

2011-05-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

What utter beauty!!!!! Happy Memorial Day and thanks to all service men and women past and present. Tight Lines!

Nice Pike video done right...Canada rocks!!

2011-05-27T15:28:00.001-07:00

http://

F.Y.I.

2011-05-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

From "pike on the fly.com" Very cool info here for sure!!! Here is a pic of a pike I caught with black spots the other day.....

The northern pike is host to a vast assemblage of parasites. Toner (1966) in his summary of information on the pike listed almost a full page of published records. Hoffman (1967) listed the following parasites for this species in North America: fungi, Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, leeches, Mollusca, and Crustacea. The parasite most often seen and of concern to anglers is the strigeid fluke Uvulifer ambloplitis. The externally encysted stage of this trematode, called black-spot, is often present in extreme numbers on individual pike. This parasite is not transferable to man, is readily killed by adequate cooking or removed by skinning the fish. This species also suffers from a septicaemic "red sore" disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas hydrophila, which is also responsible for the condition in frogs known as "red leg." In northern pike it results in ugly red necrotic lesions involving the muscle tissue (Margolis 1951). The pike also are subject to neoplastic tumors that are true cancerous lymphosarcoma. Both render the fish unsightly and can cause concern to those who catch the infected fish. Neither of these "diseases" is known to be transferable by contact to man.

BUFF WEAR

2011-05-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

I can't praise this product enough. I have the pike version and it is a necessity in my gear bag. From U.V. protection and insecta sheild this product kicks ass. They even have a page dedicated to the many different ways to use your BUFF. My buddy Brian turned his into a koozie over the weekend end.....good stuff. Have a look for yourself. http://www.planetbuff.com/ Tight lines!!!

Mind over METAL.....METALLICA

2011-05-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

http://
Do some damage today.......enjoy and tight lines pike nuts!!!

Drew ties a Pike Double Bunny

2011-05-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

A great pattern to get some pike excited!! Enjoy!

http://

ESOX NIGER ON ATTACK!

2011-05-16T15:01:00.000-07:00

Full of piss and bad attitude for sure...........................

Brian with the custom 7wt.......cool rod for sure!!!!

happy angler!!!

Pucker up pretty girl!!!!

A solid hook up for sure!!!!!

Some of the most recent Pike Adventures. If you aint fly fished for Pickerel your trully missin out. Geared down to smaller pike sized rods and flies you can have a ball.....ENJOY!!!

Dog eat Dog....or pike.....

2011-05-13T18:28:00.001-07:00

http://

A Fly's Life.........

2011-05-09T04:49:00.000-07:00

Hands tying your own flies is the way to go. Ask yourself how many times in a pinch or when you bought flies after a few casts they just fell apart. Hard earned cash wasted and that's no good. I remember way back in the day I bought a selection of clouser minnows from the big chain sports store. Was a good deal so I got them and tied one on my leader...2 casts and all I had left was the dumbell eyes. WTF!!! I had been tying flies and after that I decided that I was never going to buy another fly again and tie all my own flies. I was 15 then and did not have allot of cash. So what I'm trying to get at you can't buy quality only make quality. That's how I feel every time I tie my pike flies and bass flies. I know hands down that each step , each thread is tight , glued , and using only the best materials and hooks. Case in point I have been tying E.P. patterns for pike for a while. When my brother Dave came over last year he sat down and did a E.P. style using his touch and method. I watched in amazement how he builds his flies and the quality that goes into them as well. This was no special pattern just a generic olive and white E.P. pattern with some flash and some marker stripes. This bait fish pattern has landed well over 50 fish for me. I fish it because it works , it's VERY durable and just because Dave tied it for me. I was thinking of retiring it but then why would I do that it's still got 100 more fish to go and probably more I think. My point is if you know someone who ties flies support them. ask to sit and watch so you can make your own flies. Care and quality are things you can't really buy. Plus catching fish on your own hand tied flies....now it don't get much better than that. tight lines ...tight wraps and hang on tight!!!!

Some of P.A.'s best Pickerel Pics

2011-05-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Looking to beat my masterclass pickerel length from last year by an inch or 2. Setting personal goals keeps the drive on!!! Tight Lines and double Huals!!!!

Chris Farley Ends the War!!

2011-05-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

http://

Pike Slayers......

2011-05-04T14:45:00.001-07:00

Money in the bank........

E.P perchy

sub bug

Lefty's

Some of my latest pike snacks from the box. They have been eatin them pretty good...Enjoy and Tight Lines!!

Window Bling

2011-05-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Now the neighbors and passer bys will know what a pike nut is....pretty awesome find lets see if Naomi will go for it now...hmmmmmmmmmmm. Tight Lines!!

Subbuggin action at it's finest!!

2011-05-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

MR. YELLOW.... YUMMMMY

A big mouth full!!!

26 inches and full of piss and vinagar!!!

http://www.spanglefish.com/subbuggin/index.asp?pageid=184288

For those of you who follow the blog you know that Dave and I have a sub bug site. It's all things sub bugs for predators. These are simply some of the best pike snacks around period. It's like the fly rod version of a stick bait and jerk bait all in one. I had a good morning out for ole esox and caught 3 with a yellow version I whipped up. Fished on an intermediate line these seemed to irresistible for Mr. pike. Here's some pics and go over to our sub bug site for step by step tying instruction and videos...Tight Lines all!!!

Yabba Grabba DOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

2011-04-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Some pics of my most recent outings for pike. Fish -em low and slow on an intermediate and hang on. Some decent smallies being caught a walleye and a fat ass yellow perch. Check out the damage on that freshly crushed Lefty's fly yummy!!!!! They are a hot fly for me right now so tie some up and fish -em hard!!!! I like mine in white and chartreuse , red and white and all white to just name a few. These are only 4-5inch pike flies. I should have known to go small or go home but hey live and learn. Enjoy we have high water right now with a break in the rain coming soon..so the weather man says...

Rockstar......My Brother.....

2011-04-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Before my brother had his rockstar hair he had his rockstar attitude. Glad you grew your hair out brother...... To all of you that don't know my brother that be Mr. McFluffchucker himself..Dave Lindsay. Keep on keepin on bro.....you earned it!!!

Another good step by step....

2011-04-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

Stuck my 1st 3 solid pike tonite. Nothing huge but I did have some sweet follows and a few fast swipes that were from the bigger pike. I guess one of the pike I missed pushed 8 or 9 lbs , by the boat with a horrendous swirl that scared the hell outta my son Kaiden. My fly of choice...Lefty's deceiver. Alot of tiers I know have their own take on this bad ass fly. Either way it catches fish unless it sits in your fly box.... Here is a step by step if your new to tying this great baitfish pattern. Tight Lines and with temps in the upper 70's this week things will be heatin up!!!

http://

happy easter.....

2011-04-24T03:11:00.000-07:00

This year I was destined to catch the easter bunny..... Well my uncle Wally beat me to it . Not sure how uncle Wally managed to do it. Mr. bunny looks like he has been dippin in on the candy stash and chocalate covered carrots a little too much. I'll be hittin Uncle Wally up on the how to's later today and get the skinny on how he was able to nab Mr. Skinny bunny.....have a great easter everyone............

P.A. step by step

2011-04-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite go to pike snacks. Enjoy and tight lines!!

http://

weekend update!

2011-04-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

The temps here in VT have been up and down. Cold and warm cold and warm. I have been out 5 times so far with a few flollows to show for it. The follows have been by the bigger girls. Had a quick hook up last nite. I have been workin smaller bunny bugs in red and white and fishing a rio sinking intermediate line. The bunny flys are on 1/0 mustads and have a dumbell eye. This fly has taken more bigger pike for me than any other fly in my arsenal. Last year this fly put 2 back to back 10lb pike in my hands in 3ft of water. Not to toot my own horn but thats pretty good. You be the judge. Any way here is a step by step on tying my friend Barry's bunny bug and a pic of last years 3ft of water pike.....enjoy and tight lines!!!

http://

Quote of the week...

2011-04-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

From my good friend Barry Reynolds. Also found from his book "Mastering Pike on the Fly"

"The bunny fly is my version of the American Express card.....I never leave home without it!!!!!"

One of my Favorites!!!!

2011-04-16T04:08:00.000-07:00

http://

"Mr. SOCKO"

2011-04-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome aboard Mr. Socko. This is a joke of a fly that I have been going on about for months now. After seeing the results it don't look half bad and if ole esox eats it just once then mission accomplished. People always say tossin pike flies is like tossin a "wet sock" as people usually refer to that statement as "wet bunny rabbit". I say bullshit to that statement. If you have a rod thats able to throw those "wet socks like the pike saber does then no worries.... bring on Mr. Socko. This is a large brand new out of the package tube sock.....lord knows I wouldn't catch but probably kill everything in a 40 mile radius if I tied it on and fished one of my old white socks. Socko is tied on a 4/0 mustad tarpon hook and a few strands of flash. Not a new concept in design ...red and white has always been good to me. Some dummy eyes in the front and some solid whips and there you have it. plain and simple I love the esox family and i love fly fishing and tying for them. A nut job or way too obsessed...maybe but I don't give a rats ass. i missed a donkey of a pike the other day on my "Money in the Bank" red and white had it in her mouth and just didn't stick.....oh well it's what keeps me going you know. Tight lines and remember you saw it here and let me know what you think.....

The Human Fly

2011-04-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

good stuff...... http://

QUOTE of the WEEK

2011-04-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Per my good friend and pike on the fly nutter Ad Swier......

"Some say pike is a poor man's salmon.....SURE...they're right...LET EM!!!"

clip of the day....

2011-04-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

http://

pike art

2011-04-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

Some good ole esox art for your Sunday enjoyment. Tight Lines my friends!!!!

Pike Adventures sucka!!!!

2011-04-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

I won't get into a whole lot of this and that. It's spring and it's slow but fun tossin flies. Cheers to Brendan and John you guys are troopers!!! I hbave been knockin out some special subbugs for ice out Dave showed me a trick to these heads with the use of a lighter.......yup a few hard learned lessons and subbugs on fire ive got it down.. Have a look see and enjoy.............................tight lines friends of the fluff!

good footage!!!

2011-04-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

Think your baitfish patterns are too big??? Think again my friends. Though I have taken many good sized pike on smaller flies there is the time when it's go big or go home. I like big flies myself. Check my brother Dave's jack pike pattern on his site via the side bar. It's a stone cold killer!!!!!!! Nuff said enjoy and tight lines!! http://