Blair Lakes

Blair Lakes is a group of small lakes in the Tanana flats located about 30 miles South from North Pole. The largest has a healthy population of Northern Pike. Generally, we simply walk the shoreline, but sometimes a float tube produces better results.

Blair is accessible only by aircraft, so the fishing is fairly consistent.   It is one of our favorite locations to take visitors to Alaska.  It is both remote and unique. This was this young man's first attempt at flyfishing.  He caught the best Pike of the evening.

Marle Currier caught this Northern Pike on a large Olive Bunny Fly.  These Pike will hit about anything, but this fly seems to work better than any other. Pike are not reknowned for their fighting abilities, but the strike can be downright frightening.

If conditions are right, Northern Pike will often take a Deer Hair Mouse plopped along the surface.  These takes can be explosive and often right next to the fisherman.  I have been splashed by one of these strikes more than once. I prefer this technique if the fish will cooperate, but the Olive Bunny Fly will usually catch three times as many Pike.

The Northern Pike do not get exceptionally large at Blair Lakes.  The typical fish is about 22 - 25 inches. This Pike that my Son, Devin, caught in 2002 is about 30 inches.  It is the largest fish I have seen at Blair Lakes.

After a Summer thunderstorm the scenery can be very tranquil.  Matt Mrzena works the shoreline under a beautiful evening rainbow.

Matt and I prepare to fly back to North Pole in N2162Z after a successful evening fishing for Pike at Blair Lakes.

Kevin Kenaston lands a typical Blair Lakes Northern Pike on the Fly Rod.  Heavy Tippets and VERY careful handling are required with these toothy predators.

A close-up of one of these fresh-water Barracudas reveals a mouth full of razer-sharp teeth.  If their teeth get on even the Heavy Tippet at the right angle, you can't even feel it cut.  You just bring back an empty line...

My Oldest Son's Father-in-Law, Tim Hine, really enjoyed fishing for Northern Pike at Blair Lakes. Tim pulls in a nice-sized Northern Pike.

Pat Czjaka shows a nice Pike that he has caught on a Deer Hair Mouse. This is definitely the most exciting way to catch these fish.  When taking a Mouse, these Pike EXPLODE on the surface.

Catching Northern Pike on top-water Flies is about as exciting as Fly-Fishing can get. As explained before, they don't fight real well, but the take is simply amazing!