Pike are biting at Smith Lake

Fishfull Faithfull know I honor “secret” (Duck Lake, really?) spots and tend to avoid “hotspots” unless the fishery can absorb the additional pressure.

Last week, I took my own advice, grabbed some nightcrawlers and headed to Smith Lake west of Kalispell for some perch.

First cast, the bobber was pulled under almost at the same time it hit the water. Pike Second cast. No “bob” on splashdown, but as soon as I pulled the bobber a few feet and let the jig sink, wham, another pike. Third cast. Repeat of cast No. 1.

Tired of replacing a piece of crawler between casts, I replaced my leadhead jig with an old, battered Countdown Rapala that I’ve been carrying around for years.

The first several casts went fishless. Then I let the Rapala sink deeper before jerking and reeling. Wham.

I think the secret was retrieving the lure in the bottom third of the water because anything higher didn’t get a strike or a follow.

At one point, I did 12 casts with either catching a pike or actually seeing the fish follow the lure almost to the end of the rod.

I was surprised how few smaller “handles” I caught. Most of the pike were around three pounds, certainly big enough to fillet.

Right now is an excellent time to catch pike at Smith Lake and an excellent time for younger anglers to feel the tug of a nice fish. While both docks are still in the water, you’ll greatly increase your chances with a small boat or canoe. Just paddle out 50 yards, then head to the right. Long-nose pliers help with unhooking.

To fillet, make a horizontal slice just above the backbone, from the head to dorsal fin.  Then lay fish on its side and remove meat from vent to tail. Repeat other side. Lay fillets flat on table and slice skin from meat and you’ll end up with three boneless fillets. Don’t even try carving rib meat on smaller pike

Now, go get ’em.