Warming temperatures mean more opportunities for catching a wider variety of species while fly fishing. Recently, I got a chance to check out a local pike fishery here in Denver. It was a good morning catching some Northern Pike (Esox lucius which literally translates to “Water Wolf”) Its always a good thing when you walk right up and nail a fish on the second cast… like this hungry water wolf weighing in at about 5 lbs

These ambush predators spawn in the spring time. They build spawning beds in the shallow weedy waters which makes fishing from shore or the shallow areas much more effective throughout the spring and early summer.

For pike, I’ve always had good luck with big black flies with a little red flash and red eyes. Fishing a large double bunny or leech while using an extra slow strip usually entices a take.

This one followed my fly all the way up to the shore line locked in on my fly. He just wouldn’t take it though. Once my leader hit my top guide and the pike was directly below the tip of my rod I started to jig my fly when his carnivorous instincts finally kicked in and he inhaled my fly. I thought… damn water wolfs are sweet. I can’t wait to get after some big ones this year. Good places around the Colorado to fish for Pike include Eleven Mile Reservoir, Williams fork Reservoir, and Stagecoach Reservoir.