I also caught this pike two casts later. Not a big one, but it did do something I've never seen a pike do in the river. As I was reeling it in, it made a run straight at me, took a hard right about 20 yards away and came out 5 feet out of the water as it did a backflip in the air. Pretty sweet air I must say.
I also found some wild onions to go with my morel pasta I'm making tonight.
River is still a bit high and the bite went dead as soon as the sun got above the treeline. I also hooked a hammerhandle, but he came unbuttoned at me feet. Saw a ton of toads and water snakes today as well.
And now, a quick PSA. Bowfin a.k.a. dogfish a.k.a. grunnel are NOT trash fish. They are an essential part of the river's ecosystem and put up a hell of a fight as well. They are not only a prehistoric fish, but they perform population control on panfish so there is limited stunted growth and also help maintain balanced fish populations. It will be their spawning time soon and the male's fins turn a very cool emerald/blue color, so they are a pretty stunning fish to behold this time of year. Please do the river a favor and throw back your bowfin instead of throwing them in the bushes. Thanks.
Power
Glad you are having some luck. Those bowfins are nerve wrenchingly aggressive when they get close. I don't blame you for loosing him at the shore. I got 3 last summer and lost 2 canoe side, one shook loose and the bigger one was a botched net job by my wifes little brother. He had the net in the water waiting for me, the fish bolted past the net and hooked the X-rap, I saw the split ring shoot past my face; It never had a chance. 
