Ahh pike fishing… Or should I say tying, casting, getting stuck on weeds and rocks. Catching certainly isn’t the first word that comes to mind with northern AZ pike. But the process sure is a whole bunch of fun!

While trying to catch a pike is a challenge, tying up flies for them is one of my favorite times of the year. Big hooks, flashy and bright materials, crazy eyes and everything fun about fly tying. Plus the time of year is perfect, spring is starting to show its head but there are a few snows yet to fall. All and all a perfect time to sit down at the vice, have a beer or three and tie up some absurd looking bugs that pike seem to love. I don’t have a name for this particular fly, I’m sure there are many similar to it out there. I just call it the pike special and you can call it what you will!

This chartreuse, yellow and red color scheme is one of my favorites. It is bright as anything and the hair pushes water well. The eyes on top of the hook weight the fly so it will ride hook up and minimize hangups on the bottom and weeds. I’m not sure why the pike like this neon scheme so much but it does seem to get their attention. Who am I to argue with what the pike like!?