Fenland Fishing for Pike: Storm Darragh and the Monster!

Heading out into the chaos of Storm Darragh had me questioning my decision-making skills. With the wind howling and rain driving sideways, it was hardly inviting fishing weather. But big weather fronts have always delivered for me, and by now, I’ve learned to trust that instinct when fenland pike fishing.

These days, time on the bank is scarce—just three hours a week on average—so every session counts. For this trip, I chose a stretch of Fenland drain where I’d had some recent success. These drains can be notoriously unpredictable. One day, they’re stacked with fish, the next, they feel lifeless. Still, I was confident enough to give it a go.

Challenging Conditions

As I arrived, the conditions looked anything but promising. The water was a murky, chocolate brown with only a few inches of visibility—a nightmare for any lure angler. But I had confidence in the 20cm custom mouse lure from The Fly Guy UK, which I was using for the first time.

Despite the storm doing its best to end the session early, I started covering water. Not long into the session, the mouse got smashed. I struck into what I initially thought was a small jack, but as the fish surfaced, it became clear I was wrong. It was a Zander, beautifully marked with the dark tones typical of the Fenland drains. At 8.04lb, it was a solid fish and gave me a much-needed boost of confidence in the lure.

However, the next 45 minutes were tough. The wind was relentless, knotting my line repeatedly, and at one point, my multiplier reel locked up completely with a bird’s nest I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Frustration was creeping in, and I seriously considered packing it in.

Persistence Pays Off When Fenland Pike Fishing

Determined to make the most of my limited time, I moved further along the drain to a new spot that looked promising. As the light faded, my first cast resulted in yet another reel issue, but after sorting it, I was back in the game.

Working the mouse low and slow near mid-drain, the lure got hit hard. Straight away, I knew this was a better fish. It stayed deep, thumping hard and making powerful runs. When it surfaced, I could see it was a big pike, shaking its head furiously. Every time it neared the net, it bolted, and the tension was almost too much to handle.

Finally, on the fourth attempt, she was in the net. At first glance, I thought she might go 20lb, but I doubted she had the length for it. Simon, who was fishing with me, agreed she was probably a good upper double.

A New Personal Best

As I unhooked her—just lightly nicked in the bottom lip—she rolled in the net, and that’s when her sheer size became obvious. Her head was massive, completely dwarfing my hands, and the depth of her body was incredible.

We quickly weighed her, and the scales read 27.0lb. Stunned, we double-checked with Simon’s scales, which confirmed the weight. It was a new personal best for me, and I was absolutely blown away.

Reflection

Lying back in the storm, soaking wet and buzzing from the adrenaline, I couldn’t help but replay the fight in my head. The ferocity of the take, the deep runs, and the relief of finally getting her into the net—it all came rushing back.

Fishing sessions like this are rare. Conditions were far from ideal, and everything seemed to be against us, but persistence and a bit of luck turned the day into one I’ll never forget. It’s a reminder that even when the odds are stacked against you, there’s always the chance of something special.

That’s the magic of fenland pike fishing. Sometimes, all it takes is one cast to make it all worthwhile.