Giant Winter Pike on the Fly

As you all know, we are primarily steelhead, salmon, and trout guides here at Schmidt Outfitters because that is our passion. However, I am always looking for something new and exciting. I’ve been fishing pike and musky with a fly for several years now on inland lakes around northern Michigan throughout the summer. Around Christmas this year, I was reminiscing about giant fish I caught or had follow flies. Several years ago I had fished an area on Saginaw Bay near Bay City for pike in open water in the dead of winter and decided to try it again. A couple of weeks ago, a good friend and I packed a couple of 10 wt. rods, waders, and BIG flies in the truck and headed south on I-75 in search of huge fish with giant teeth. Within the first hour we landed our first fish and it was not little! We continued fishing for two days with some very good results. As we refined our techniques, the fish just kept getting larger. Since that first trip, we have continued to tweak flies, casts, and retrieves to a system I have great confidence in. Now I want to offer this experience to you.

What to expect: We are doing this fishing wading in open water with no boat so remember to dress warmly. We will be throwing 10 wt. rods with floating lines and very large flies. It can get quite windy on the open water which is why I prefer the 10 wt. rods. The pike we will be catching will average 36-44” (10-16 pounds) with a very good chance of one larger. You will be casting 35-50 feet and stripping quickly with most of the strikes occurring right at your feet. If you have fished streamers for trout or salmon, you know the heart-stopping excitement when you see a fish pursue your fly. Now just imagine that fish crowding four feet long!

This season only lasts a few weeks so the sooner you go the better! I will be staying in the area for a couple of weeks, so I would just meet you in the Bay City area. Call Schmidt Outfitters today to book you’re trip today. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me!
Dave Barkman
231-676-0822