Fly Fishing for Big Pike, in the Fall, on the Androscoggin River!

Fall is here in Maine and I find myself enjoying the change of season. We had an extremely hot and dry summer and I wore tired of it. Though we had great smallmouth fishing for large fish on topwater, the recent cool mornings and crisp days feel invigorating. With the fall we all obviously enjoy the trout waters turning back on after the water cools. However, pike is an often overlooked gamefish to chase in the cold weather too. For those who love streamer fishing or fly fishing for striped bass, it is a natural jump to make. Large predatory fish lurking in the shadows waiting to intercept your offering. Takes can vary from slow chases to all out fly eating blitzes.

Pike reside in the Androscoggin River from Livermore Falls all the way to Merrymeeting Bay. They are a widely dispersed fish in the river system and their spread density lends itself to true trophy fish. The varied forage on the Androscoggin definitely makes fly selection fun. Imitating fallfish, perch, crappie, sunfish, smallmouth, suckers, and other pike make for a varied fly box full of as many colors as the fall trees produce. If you enjoy fishing large flies, fall is your time to shine. Deer hair flies tied hollow style, big Buford style heads, squimpish hair, articulated shanks, all are your friend in creating pike flies. Flies that push water, have wiggle, or erratic movements are what you need.

To better reach the pike haunts of the Androscoggin I recently acquired a new jet boat. It allows me to target hard to reach areas and have plenty of room for gear. With the large casting decks we are able to have ample room to cast large flies, heavy weight rods, and enjoy the elevated perspective when a large pike explodes on your fly. Nothing beats fly fishing from a drift boat, but a more mobile boat, capable of speed is a luxury I am happy to now offer clients.

As I write this I can’t help but have excitement looking forward to short fall days filled with morning frosts, the smell of fall leaves on the water, big flies, hot coffee, warm lunch soups, large schools of bait, friends, eagles watching, oh and pike!

Reach out if a pike trip is on your radar!