Fly Fishing

Marcel_Karssies · Location: Enschede - The Netherlands

Yesterday I went with Robert to the Möhne river in Germany.
I replaced his boss who originally would join him on this trip but called in sick.
I went instead, for free that is since it was Sunday and the day tickets where paid in advance.

It was beautiful weather. With the clear skies the temperature would rise to a tropical 86F
The water level was considerably lower since our last visit during flooding.
After our last visit we heard rumors that the river was fished empty by a hatchery because
the tackle shop who leased the river had not paid its bills.

We where soon able to see that these rumors where untrue since we saw with our own eyes
That fish where present in the river.
Robert took 5 trout (brown- and rainbow), yours truly did not got further than a couple of missed takes.
This huge difference in the catch was due to my inflexibility to change from nymph to dry fly.
I just did not see enough rising fish to confidentially switch to dry fly.
Instead I tried in vain to locate the fish on the river bed.
As it turned out fish where feeding in the surface at certain places.
Robert switch timely and was rewarded with fish. Another valuable lesson learned.

Our local guide was present again, a resident of a local guesthouse.

After bribing him with sandwiches he pointed the fish for us out.

Robert with trout nr. 1 of the day, a nice brown trout.

We both spend at least half an hour casting to a big rainbow that continuously nipped flies from the surface of the river.
When the fish finally was about to inhale the fly I yanked it out in sheer excitement, stupid, stupid, stupid.
At least we had a ball throwing flies at feeding rainbow trout in the current.

Active rainbow trout.

With the warm weather insect activity was high. Loads of small midges about and also large hawthorn and alder flies.
While wading I turned several stones and found a whole range of nymphs, caddis larvae and shrimps.

Robert with a rainbow caught on a dry fly (hawthorn fly).

It was so darn hot that we had to take several breaks at our favorite hangout, the beer garden of the Niederbergheimer hof.
It was very tiring to sit on the terrace zipping on a cool beer and watching the river flowing by.

The usual Warsteiner-versus-river picture 2005.

On this day we also did some scouting work to explore the upper part of the river.
We had never been there so it was interesting to find several promising new spots.
I got skunked this time but still had a ball, there will surely be a next time when I will
Bring in to practice the lessons I learned on this trip.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

great posts marcel - nice rainbows and browns....glad to see your catching some trout over there....i know how much you love the trout fishing....i hope it stays good for you...have fun...keep us posted