Big Pike near fast water

[slayerofslabs]

Larry, I have noticed throughout the years of Pike fishing in some of the fly in fisheries of Northern Manitoba as well as the NWT that it always seems we see the biggest pike of the trip cruising within 50 yards of where a creek, river or stream either enters or exits a lake. "Rapids" in other words. And it also seems these big guys are the hardest fish to trick into hitting a lure as well. I've seen some monsters in these areas over the years but they just seem to cruise by and wont turn on a lure. Has this also been your experience (finding big fish close to rapid water) and if so, why do they seem to hang around these areas and are there any special tricks to make them bite?

[JD]

On all my fly in trips the biggest pike have always been near inlets/oulets. I guess they use these as "feeding highways". Last year on a fly in trip to Northern Manitoba I threw a 1/4 ounce Chatterbait with a Banjo Minnow trailor and caught many trophies. In other words, throw something they have not seen! It has worked for me.

JD

[dahlberg]

HI JD,
That's a very common pattern. Often the pike are eating arctic suckers or resident greyling.
Boat positioning is often important so you can swing the lure to where they are laying.
It also pays to be a little stealthy, and to throw them something more sexy than the typical 5 of diamonds!!
best,
L