UNHOOKING PIKE

Many years ago, whilst fishing an old estate lake, I landed a 20-pound pike. Another curious angler came over to have a look. I later overheard his conversation with his fishing partner.

"I joined this syndicate to catch a big pike, but having just seen one, I'm not sure I want to do it anymore - that pike looks like a crocodile!"

A big pike has huge jaws, armed with an impressive set of teeth. Many fly fishers ignore pike because they are worried that they may get bitten. Worse, some anglers catch a pike and then haven't a clue how to unhook it.

The right technique and degree of confidence makes unhooking pike simple and safe (for you and the fish!) My flies are dressed on large (usually 4/0 barbless) single hooks, which makes unhooking the pike relatively straightforward.

Because of the direct contact experienced when fly-fishing (as opposed to bait-fishing) most of my pike are hooked in the scissors.

Often, I'll be able to unhook the pike in the water and release it without difficulty. If I land a pike and my fly isn't readily accessible, the following method is used.

• Lie down the pike, still in the net, on an unhooking mat, or on soft, moist grass.
• Get the mesh out of the way.
• Turn the fish on its back. If the pike is trying to thrash around, carefully kneel asride it.
• If you're right-handed, feel along the left gill cover with the fingers of your left hand.
• Slide them in and get a firm grip on the jawbone.
* Carefully lift the pike's head. Normally, it will obligingly open its mouth.
Occasionally, a little encouragement with the fingers of your right hand will be required.
• Held securely like this, the pike will not shut its jaws.
• With your right hand, use a set of LONG forceps to grip and remove the fly.

Some anglers use a filleting glove to protect their left hand. I don't – I've seen too many pike with skin missing from their lower jaw. Occasionally, I get grazed by the fine teeth which lie along the edge of the gill rakers, but it isn't serious.

There is absolutely no need to the old-fashioned gag (a spring-loaded jaw separator). Like many older pike fishers I used to employ one; now I know better.

Your unhooked pike should be returned to the water as quickly as possible. If it fought long and hard, it may need some help to recover.

Hold the pike upright in the water with one hand around the wrist of the tail. The pike will let you know when it's recovered and wants to head back to the deeps.

If you want to weigh your pike, use a weigh-sling. If you want to photograph it, do it quickly.
Pike are a valuable, wild, sporting quarry. As fly fishers, we should respect them and handle them with care.
That way, they'll thrive and continue to provide us with excitement.

There's no better sight than watching your monster pike cruise away unharmed, back in its own domain. You may get to meet her again some day!