Those of us who lovingly caress our big-dollar fly rods – secure in the knowledge that they offer us absolute tactical ascendancy (if not moral supremacy) on the river – will be pleased to know that a North American fly fishing record pike was just caught… on a $21 5wt:

About a month ago, Ivan Keeney decided to take up fly fishing. He bought a $21 fly rod and learned to cast at Dry Bridge Family Fishing Pond in Kalispell, catching stocked rainbow trout. Once he felt that he was proficient at fly fishing, he decided to try for pike.

The beginning fly-caster cemented his place at the upper reaches of the sport today when he landed a 47-inch, 29.7 pound pike at Smith Lake west of Kalispell.

Just to further grind the noses of the sport’s literary fiends, he had his catch certified at the “Snappys Sport Senter” [sic].

Frankly, I didn’t know you could buy a fly rod for $21 (I think you can buy a bright yellow Eagle Claw fiberglass at Rite Aid for $28, but you’re probably just paying for the name at that point).

At this point, our advice to Keeney is simple.

Quit.

It’s unlikely he’s ever going to top a four-foot long pike, meaning he’s likely peaked in the sport – after only one month. That’s a burden you simply don’t want to carry decade after decade.

See you at Snappys Sport “Senter,” Tom Chandler.

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