Northern Pike Anyone?

[sparky1doug]

Does anyone want to put the politics aside and just talk some fun and fishing for those Northern Pike? I'll bet you do, heck its winter and cabin fever is just setting in. Have you ventured out to the Pend Oreille lately? Have any good stories, lets hear em. Lures you would like to pass along? Also check out the Northern Pike Anyone? page on my blog. Some new pictures, a few stories and some of the notorious P.O.R. fisherman. On my home page we are running a photo contest, please enter. So click http://foreverfishing-sparky1doug.blogs ... nyone.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and enjoy. Hey, I need more Pike pictures send them too.

[AJ's Dad]

I'll throw in on this one. I have been wondering for a while now what it is that causes some pike to have this strange kink in their back. I had caught a couple over the years that looked this way but this year I probably released 6 or 7 that had it. The fish seem to be healthy and normal but at the back end of the fish just behind the dorsal fin, if that's what it's called on a pike, they take a drastic drop in the fish's back bone. I have only caught fish with this condition in the CoeurDalene system. None on the Pend Oreille River. Please don't tell me it's because I held the fish vertical. It was that way when I netted it and it was released in excellent shape.

[Fish-N-Fool]

Hey Sparky I was out just last Sunday and had a great day on the river. My buddy Mark and I got on the water about noon and fished till about 3:30. We were fishing dead bait under a bobber and throwing swimbaits. My buddy hooked up first on a 5 lbs. pike on one of my Swimbaits that I netted for him we landed 4 fish total with him getting the biggest pike he has gotten so far at 9 lbs. I know not a monster but he doesn't fish for pike much. Although we got quite a few bites on the dead bait we caught all the fish on swimbaits. We missed a few fish on the swimbaits too. The fishing can be very good this time of year and it's one of my favorite time to fish because not many guys are out now. I cant wait to go out again but having a broken boat I have to rely on other people to go fish with , and that sucks as I don't get to go as often as I like. I posted about it in the P.O river reports page if you want any more info on it.


AJ's dad what causes that bent back is a birth defect while in the egg sack the spine gets bent and although it doesn't seem to hurt them any they never get over it. I see a lot of them too. Most years I get 2 or 3 like that.

[sparky1doug]

Aj's Dad great question on the crooked back. The way the fish is held during unhook and release will cause deformity but not likely that dramatic. I'll do some reasearch but believe FishnFool is on the right track. It is also possible that Pike is a rare "2008 model, Rockford Bay Fastback" special edition with custom turned down tail. There are rummored to be only 5 ever made and a valuable collector's item. Awesome picture by the way.

[Mark K]

I'll throw in on this one. I have been wondering for a while now what it is that causes some pike to have this strange kink in their back. I had caught a couple over the years that looked this way but this year I probably released 6 or 7 that had it. The fish seem to be healthy and normal but at the back end of the fish just behind the dorsal fin, if that's what it's called on a pike, they take a drastic drop in the fish's back bone. I have only caught fish with this condition in the CoeurDalene system. None on the Pend Oreille River. Please don't tell me it's because I held the fish vertical. It was that way when I netted it and it was released in excellent shape.

I'm pretty sure it's because you held it vertical Mark.

[Natebg1]

You got it right Sparky!!! Enough with dealing with the haters, let's just go out and fish and get lots of pictures of BIG OLE PIKE and then Post them ALL OVER WASHINGTON LAKES and comment just how much we love to CATCH the INVASIVE NORTHERN PIKE on the Pend Oreille River and then show pictures of us releasing them back to nature. Hopefully we will get a chance to catch them when they get even bigger as long as they don't get caught in one of those great gill nets that we all love and think are great.
Well, I say that we get a family outing together this spring and anyone interested in doing the 3 lure fun competition, we do that one day and then get the family and kids out on the water and let them have some fun catching some Pike the next day. So who is on for a little friendly competition for bragging rights and Washington Lakes Pike Forum Fun??? I hear that AJ's Dad is the man to be cautious of?
Of course if Craig breaks out his speciality then I know it will be a long day full of fun and back and forth between all of us. But beware, I hear Sparky has a lure in the bag that is known to get it's tail bit off every now and again.

Look forward to seeing everyone this spring and catching some INVASIVE NORTHERN PIKE!!!

Nate

[Fish-N-Fool]

Hey Nate you don't have to wait till spring the bite is on here NOW !! This is one of 4 fish my fishin buddy and I got last Sun.



I dropped my camera and all the rest of the pictures came out looking like this. LOL This one was the biggest fish of the day though at 9 lbs,


Nice fish huh?

[muskyhunter]

A wiscony northern..from last summer. My pops..caught on a tinsel tail spinner.

[Mark K]

The Pop's wearing a Seahawks shirt in Packer country! Love it!

[muskyhunter]

Yea.He got it for a Birthday present. Pretty good shape and fisherman for 70. He got a lot of great teasing from his ol' buddies at breakfast. I have a photo too with a EWU hat on. Just cant fit it do to the KB size. And to show I can catch those slimey freekin things too. Wabikon Lake, Wi. That Seahawk shirt was good luck for him. He put 3 muskies in the net before I got there. See ya Marko..Todd

[Lucius]

have you wrote about this trip Doug?

[sparky1doug]

No Buddy I haven't but thats a great idea! That was a heck of a weekend on the Pend Oreille. My first trip to the Pend Oreille since I was 15, stayed on the river way too long. My 1st Muskie tournament, meet the Dowdy's, teased Tigers at Silver Lake. Chapter 60 was born, Forever Fishing Washington State was created, well I better save some for the story! Yes it was one hell of a trip. Thanks again Buddy if it weren't for you I would have never been there to experience it all.
Doug >:"":>

[Natebg1]

Hey Sparky,

Can't wait to read that story, I am sure it will be a real winner and certainly one to read again and again to remind us all why we fish, whether it is for Pike, Salmon, or any other fish for that matter. Bring on the good times, we will all be waiting to read about your first trip to the amazing Pend Oreille River!!! Oh and just as a reminder, we have a trip to plan so get your calendar out and get your gear ready! Enjoy the snow, I know I am, back to cleaning up my gear from the Cowlitz the other day.

Never say Die "Nate"

[sparky1doug]

Check it out! Fish "TV", the Pike Channel. A great story and report by Mr. G. http://foreverfishing-sparky1doug.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Ice Fishing on the Pend Oreille for Northern Pike. I want to thank everyone who has read and also shared their stories and pictures. Forever Fishing Washington State has grown to over 100 readers a day in just 10 months. All because of the great pictures coming in from you guys, and your stories of course. Keep em coming at foreverfishingwast@gmail.com .

[Mark K]

Glad to see Chuck made it out there and had some success! Nice Pike! The Blog is looking good Doug.

[Kfedka]

Excellent Blog.

Was reading Chucks story, where is there ice on the POR?

[sparky1doug]

Austin Fletcher? He never said.

[Mark K]

Excellent Blog.

Was reading Chucks story, where is there ice on the POR?

That would be Tiger. I'm sure there is ice on other sloughs at the moment as Tiger is a bit of a haul from Spokane.

[Fish-N-Fool]

Austin Fletcher? He never said.

Austin Fletcher bay does have ice on it, but not enough water in it to hold fish it's about 2 feet deep this time of year. You want find any pike back in the bay till March or April.

[Mark K]

Austin Fletcher? He never said.

Not that it's important, but it is called "Ashenfelter Bay". It get's called a lot of different names though.

I'm thinking I might be making it back up there REAL SOON! It's been sooo nice out lately