Outside the office windows the inevitable sign of winter has dressed the landscape in white. It’s been snowing the last few days, which of course means that temperatures are dropping. It takes a while for the water temperature begin cooling down significantly, but with frost both day and night, it’s certainly under way. Dropping temperatures are not the best conditions, but cold water is not a problem as such. For the fish of course. It might be for the two legged creatures chasing them.
Once the temperatures have settles, you can have excellent fishing up here in Scandinavia, both in the salt and in the lakes (primarily for pike, of course). There are for both species two things that quickly become apparent. Pike get much more concentrated periods of activity. We usually go by the “11am and 3pm”-rule. They are obviously not specific and can vary greatly, but there almost always two, significant periods of activity. One before noon at some point, one in the afternoon. As far as flies an fishing technique, pike aren’t really that tricky. In cold (under 5C), fish slower, maybe deeper and fly choi e is mainly a matter of water clarity. But if they’re hard to get, try smaller flies.
Sea trout also seem two have two “extremes”, which are of course also very dependant on the conditions. Either biggish and brightly coloured provocative flies are the best choice. In shallow water and (for the fisherman) good conditions, smaller, more imitative flies work best. You can always discuss the sanity in tying a bright pink shrimp imitation, but it’s evident that they work. Personally I tie simple flies, when I tie the provocative ones. Usually just palmer flies.
As always there is plenty of inspiration on our YouTube channel and here are some examples of popular and effective flies for both pike and sea trout.
Here the newest Pe-Mo (Peach Monster) from Håkan Karsnäser:
A GoFi Glitter Shrimp by Jesper Lindquist Andersen:
You can adjust the size of the Jaw Breaker by Robin Philips and use it for both pike and sea trout:
A modern classic by Mathias Ibsen – The Prins Valliant:
And maybe the most classic of classic Danish winter flies, The Polar Magnus – again by Jesper Lindquist Andersen:
Here’s a brightly coloured Dragontail Swimbait from Paul Monaghan:
This is one of Mo’s flies – the Chartreuse and Silver Flashtail Beast that can wake up even the most sleepy of pike:
And don’t skip the black ones – a fly like this Black Ge’Fly by Jesper Lindquist Andersen are extremely visible under the right conditions:
The Green Beast, also by Mo. Bright coloured and very soft and mobile materials:
And there are plenty more to gain inspiration from.
Break out the fleece, wooly socks (maybe a Wooly Bugger too) and get out there.
