I found out that my current setup is not good for these toothy critters. I had been using a "small" snap swivel at the end of my wire tippet to help with fly changing. Well, I hooked a Pike and lost the fish very quickly. When I went to cast back to the fish, my fly went sailing into the water without my line attached and the snap had broken. Luckily, it broke then rather than while the fish had it in its mouth. I still lost the fly, but at least the fish was Ok.

At this point, I am going to try the following setups:

Streamer rod:
Intermediate sinking line
4-5' of 25# mono leader
12-18" 25# titanium wire tippet connected directly to fly

Topwater rod:
Full Floating line
4' 30# mono leader
12-18" 15# Tyger wire connected directly to fly.

My hope is to go with the lighter wire for the surface baits to help keep them from sinking. I'm still working on my strip-strike technique but am definitely gaining ground.

Gary, you out there?? I'm so fired up to get these flies in front of these fish its not even funny. Just trying to make sure that the equipment is in order.


Jay