Pike & Muskie Flies
Northern Pike and Miskie are without a doubt the apex predators of their environment both of which capable of reaching over fifty inches long. The prototype pike and muskie fly pattern is also long, often reaching six or seven inches in length. With respect to colors, we see consistent use of red, white, yellow and some chartreuse in many recipes, a testament to their effectiveness. Pictured here is a good example of a rabbit stripe Pike/Muskie patterned called Gen-X Bunny designed by Barry Reynolds.
Hook sizes normally range from 1/0 to 4/0 with 3/0 being most prevalent. Weed guards are also common in surface patterns due to the lilly pad and bull rush cover that these predators often roam. Stout hook designs are also needed with the new Owner AKI black nickel saltwater hook (or equivalent Tiemco 600SP, Mustad 19841NP) often specified in the recipe.
The long and lean profile of pike and muskie patterns prove to be ideal for rabbit stripes and as such they are found on many recipes. The fur and the strip itself ungulate even at rest and seem to be the perfect combination to induce a strike. Flashabou is also common in many patterns where it is often slightly longer than the overall length of the rabbit strip or hackle wing/tail.
Flashtail Whistler (Pink-White Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- Mustad 34185S Jig Hook, Thread- White single strand flat floss, Eyes- Painted yellow with black pupil lead barbell, Tail- White and pink bucktail with multi-colored Krystal Flash and a long extension of Silver and Pearl Flashabou, Body- Wrapped red chenille, Hackle- White wrapped as tall heavy collar. Pattern designer: Dan Blanton
Barry's Pike Fly (Red/Black Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC811S, Thread- White 3/0, Tail- 6" White straight cut rabbit strip with red Flashabou, Collar- Red tied mid-shank or Keys Tarpon style, Head- Thread painted white with red eyes and black pupils. Pattern Designer: Barry Reynolds
Mega Diver (Chartreuse Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC811S, Thread- Chartreuse single strand nylon floss, Weedguard- 20 lb Mason Hard Nylon, Tail- Chartreuse Big Fly Fiber with gold Flashabou tied 5" long, Collar- Dyed chartreuse deer hair spun and trimmed to shape with cement added to flat cut bottom, Head- Dyed chartreuse deer hair spun and trimmed to shape with cement added to flat cut bottom, Eyes- Amber and black 3-D plastic eyes glued. Pattern Designer: Larry Dahlberg.
Umpqua Pike Fly (Frog Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC8089, Thread- Fluorescent Orange single strand nylon floss, Weedguard- 20 lb Mason Hard Nylon, Tail- Yellow grizzly, yellow and red hackles mixed sparsely with pearl Krystal Flash and pearl Flashabou and long center section of chartreuse Super Hair, Collar- White, black and chartreuse dyed deer hair spun and trimmed to shape, Head- White, black and chartreuse dyed deer hair spun and trimmed to shape, Eyes- Yellow and black 3-D plastic. Pattern Designer: Umpqua Feather Merchants
Pike Fly (Red/Black Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC811S, Thread- Black 6/0, Tail- Four white hackle tied in flared separated pairs with four strands of silver Mylar tinsel, Body- Flat silver Mylar tinsel, Underwing- White bucktail, Overwing- Red dyed bucktail, Topping- Four strands of peacock hurl, Head- Thread painted black with white eyes and black pupils.