An Addiction To River Pike

South Coast taxi driver Nathan Edgell is addicted to pike fishing at this time of year, especially when it comes to targeting wild river predators that have slipped under the radar. Preferring to fish short sessions, the Fladen-sponsored piker has developed a tactic that has helped him to bank more fish. Here’s how.

- Nathan Edgell

I’M ABSOLUTELY addicted to fishing for predators. River pike are my true love. From October through to March, I’m out on the bank as often as I can be, usually two or three half-day sessions a week, but more if I can get away with it.

I love being out on rivers, as they are wild, challenging and unpredictable. I’d rather fish a local water and catch a 7 lb fish that’s probably never seen a hook before than travel, queue up and then fish a popular water further afield.

Catching a fish is just the cherry on an already beautiful cake. I just love being out in our countryside, with all the flora and fauna it has to offer.

Being married with two children, I have to make the most of my time on the bank. Due to an absence of stillwaters and canals local to me, around Dorchester, in Dorset, I’ve learned my craft on Wessex rivers. I’ll fish for pike anytime and anywhere, and I’ve caught them from all types of water, but my favorite will always be a flowing one.

In my eyes, river pike really are the stars of the show, as they have to survive floods, drought, predation and anglers. To get big, they have to target wild food in a hostile environment, which certainly isn’t easy. That’s what makes them special.

Seeing is believing

Over the years I’ve done at least 25 slideshow presentations in different regions around the country, for the Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britain and other clubs in Ireland and Scotland.

I’ve read countless books and gleaned lots of information about Esox lucius, and love old tales of pike taking dogs, and of anglers having two-hour fights with huge pike in Irish loughs.

While these old tales may or may not be true, there are a couple of observations that I see or hear about that I just don’t agree with.