improving conditions and pike on the fly

Hi Folks, Spent the afternoon on my boat chasing northern pike on the fly.  Fished a small lake south of Stowe.  Slight breeze from the north and overcast skies for most of the day.  Surface temperatures were between 50 and 52 degrees.  We worked the shallow parts of the lake with a soft bottom and new growth weeds.  Water depth ranged from 2' to 8'.  The fly of the day was 1/0 yellow and red deceiver.  Letting the fly sink and then slow long strips produced strikes.  We landed 4 pike between 18" and 26".  A floating line is fine but a sinking line can be good for keeping the fly in the strike zone longer.  The upcoming weather week is looking good and water temperatures should improve and warm slowly.  Trout rivers are looking better and things have settled a bit with clarity improving daily.  Just need more warmer weather to heat up the water and really turn on the fish.  Pike fishinng will remain good for the next few weeks and wallleye season is now open.  Lake Champlain is at a record level with many boat ramps being under water.  Look for #16 Blue Quills, #14 Hendricksons,and still a few #14 brown stoneflies as well as #12/#14 craneflies.  Nymphing will be the way to go our rivers until things heat up.  Will be chasing pike this week and exploring some trout water.  Remember that felt is banned and clean your equipment in order to keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy