John Bailey – The Kingfisher Diaries
November 17th 2009
The Pike Scene
I guess I'm one of those really lucky anglers who appreciate that each fish has its season and the beauty of the UK scene is its continued variety. But perhaps I've got it wrong this year. Perhaps I've started my piking just a bit too early. The old Norfolk boys had it right: they didn't reach for their pike gear until the first frosts had really crackled and water temperatures had really begun to plummet. I'd been thinking that November was quite soon enough to start my pike campaign but, in truth, the fishing has been slow and I blame temperatures a lot for that. I guess when the prey fish are still so active there is just too much food about for our dead baits and lures to offer real incentive.
However, on the plus side, all the Wensum lakes, not just Kingfishers, have begun to clear out and shed their summer algae bloom. Of course, pike feed by smell and by picking up vibrations along their lateral line but I still believe that sight is an important part of it. I love to lure fish - especially with using a sink and draw roach set-up - and unless pike can see then I think we're largely wasting our time. I like visibility of at least two to three yards before I lure fish with any confidence whatsoever.
Life never ceases to be amazing. We did pick up one serious fish - George landed a beaut of twenty-one pounds. But guess what was in its mouth - the barely decomposed feathers of quite a large water bird. There was debate over what species but I guess coot or water hen. Even more interesting was the fact that tucked inside the pike's mouth also was the remains of a brook lamprey. Now, we had used this very bait in this very swim THREE WEEKS PREVIOUSLY! What had actually happened? Had the lamprey come off, lain on the bottom and been picked up quite recently by the pike? Or had the pike consumed the lamprey days and days ago but barely digested it?
Finally, on a cautionary note, really do be careful when it comes to handling your pike. In all the excitement, George got badly gashed and his thumb probed to need a couple of stitches. Of course, we're not talking anything life threatening here but, still, a trip to A and E that you could seriously do without. It always pays to wear a pair of gloves when you are handling pike and, I believe, the Norfolk Anglers' Conservation Association do run periodic pike handling classes. It might well be worth joining this splendid organisation and signing up for a bit of expert tuition.
Remember, too, if you're new to piking and need a bit of reassurance on unhooking techniques, you can always contact me via the website and I'll help whenever I'm around.