Welcome back to Tying Tuesday, my fellow fly fanatics!
This week, the one and only Kyle—the man, the myth, the AvidMax Streamer King—is back in his creative den, cranking out some pike-slaying masterpieces. He stumbled upon the killer High Low Fly pattern from Nordic Anglers and, man, it was love at first sight. Not only did he fall head over heels, but he also went full beast mode, whipping up not one but possibly two of these epic creations using bags full of top-notch materials. This giant streamer is a total monster—it even needed two cameras to capture all its glory! It’s sleek, it’s flashy, and it’s downright sexy. I’m fired up to hit the water with this juicy fly; pike won’t know what hit ’em when we roll out the big boy streamer setups. Get ready for some serious action!
💥 Tie it. Fish it. Love it. #TyingTuesday
Recipe:
• Hook: Ahrex TP610 Size, 4/0
• Thread: Semperfli Nanosilk 100D, Black
• Bead: Hareline 5.5mm Cyclops Bead, Black Nickel
• Body Material 1: Hareline Big Fly Fiber, Black
• Body Material 2: Flashabou Magnum, Black Holographic
• Body Material 3: Hareline Extra Select Craft Fur
***Please note, some materials sell out quickly on Tuesdays after a video drops – you can always call Customer Service if you have a question about an alternate material option (720-836-3619)***
Top Tips & Tricks for Fly Fishing Pike with Streamers 🎣🔥
If you’re chasing big, aggressive pike on the fly, streamers are your best bet. These toothy predators love big, flashy, and erratic-moving baitfish imitations. Here’s how to up your game:
1️⃣ Size Matters – Go Big or Go Home
🟢 Pike are opportunistic ambush predators, so they want a meal, not a snack.
🟢 Use streamers 6–12 inches long, especially in waters with large forage fish.
🟢 Top choices: Game Changers, Ripple Bleaks, Bunny Leeches, Deceivers, and Bufords
2️⃣ Materials Make the Magic
💡 Flies with synthetic fibers like Ripple Ice Fiber, Flashabou, or EP Fibers create a seductive, undulating action.
💡 Bucktail and rabbit strips add lifelike movement and bulk.
💡 Articulated flies (with two or more hook sections) move like an injured baitfish—irresistible!
3️⃣ Retrieve Like You Mean It
🔹 Experiment with fast strips, pauses, and erratic twitches to mimic wounded prey.
🔹 A jerky, stop-and-go retrieve often triggers aggressive follows and eats.
🔹 If a pike follows but doesn’t commit, throw in a sudden pause or speed burst—they can’t resist!
4️⃣ Go Heavy on the Leader – Steel or Fluoro?
🛑 Pike have razor-sharp teeth—standard tippet won’t cut it (literally).
🔸 Use 40-80 lb fluorocarbon for a stealthy approach.
🔸 For maximum bite protection, use 6-12” of wire leader (AFW Surflon or RIO Knotable Wire are great options).
🔸 Avoid thin mono—it’s a one-way ticket to heartbreak when a pike bites clean through.
5️⃣ Think Like a Predator – Target Ambush Zones
🏝️ Cast near structure—weed edges, submerged timber, rocky drop-offs, and current seams.
🌊 In lakes, work shallow flats early & late in the day, then drop-offs and deep structure mid-day.
🎣 In rivers, target slack water pockets, eddies, and the edges of deep holes.
6️⃣ Set the Hook Like a Boss
🪝 Pike have bony mouths, so a weak hookset won’t cut it.
🔹 Strip set HARD—don’t trout set!
🔹 Keep pressure on—pike shake violently and can throw a poorly set hook.
7️⃣ Handle with Care – Keep Your Fingers Intact
⚠️ Always have long-nose pliers or hemostats to unhook safely.
⚠️ Keep the fish in the water as much as possible for a healthy release.
⚠️ Watch those gill plates—they’re as sharp as their teeth!
Bonus Tip – Go Topwater for Heart-Stopping Strikes!
🔥 If conditions allow, fish big poppers and divers like the Dahlberg Diver or the Double Barrel Popper.
🔥 The explosive topwater eats will be burned into your memory forever!
Final Thought: Pike Are Built for Violence – Fish Accordingly
💥 Strip hard, fish big, and be ready for the most aggressive eats in freshwater. Pike on the fly isn’t just fishing—it’s combat. 🎣🔥
Now, get out there and move some water! 💪👊
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
