pike fishing

Hi Folks, Guided in the northern tier of Vermont today for northern pike.  Lost a trip yesterday after nearly 5" of rain fell at my house in Stowe on Thursday into Friday.  Our rivers are still very high though a few mountain tributaries could be fished tomorrow for brook trout.  the big rivers will be shot for a few days.  Steady north wind today with over cast skies in the morning and sun in the afternoon.  Water temperature was 65 on the surface and the lake level was certainly high. Cool out there today and I wore my long underwear. Clarity was decent and we were able to see several northerns chase the lure.  We landed 5 pike and 2 largemouth bass.  Missed a few fish and lost a couple of decent fish.  We had two strikes on a large black double prop top water in the early am before the wind picked up.  The lure of the day was a double gold and silver bladed spinner bait with a red skirt.  We found fish off of weed bed edges into drop offs and over a shallow flat with consistent weed beds.  A steady retrieve was the ticket.  Even with the changing weather and high water we were able to tug on fish.  Good anglers catch fish in a variety of weather conditions and nothing is ever consistent.  Off to guide pike again tomorrow.  Always options.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy