Pike and mice

OF PIKE and MICE...

The small slow flowing rivers of the flat land are ideal places for fishing on floating mice imitations.
The fields in the country side are well populated of these critters and they often live in close contact to the water.
When mice go waterborne, pike occasionally feeds on these small mammals.

The classic mouse imitation is tied in deerhair.
Perfect for the tail is a strip of alcantara.
As complement to the traditional dressing, I like to mount red foam eyes.

The attack on the surface is always spectacular, it offers a much different perspective then when fishing on a sunken streamer. The water literally explodes and it often is possible to observe the all hunting scene.

Another favourite is the gurgler mouse, tied with fur in natural colour and with the classic foam back. Fantastic imitation, it works perfectly in the water. The only downside is that the foam tends to get battered after a few bites.

A good technique is to cast to the opposite bank, let the imitation drag downstream, have it drift across the stream and then slowly strip it along the side where we are fishing on. Make sure to let the fly swim under the hanging branches and clope to sunken obstacles.

Sliders in balsa are also a good choice, in the picture a "mousy" style mounted with a thick nylon weed-guard to minimize snags when working in thick vegetation.

Catch and release is an important tool to protect endangered species. Resident fish populations are jeopardized by overfishing. Resident species need a very careful fishery management. Pikes are very important predators for the balance of our ecosystems. Mind that pike can easily be damaged when wrongly handled.