Small trout, beautiful river

The trout

Comfortable and cooled off in the water I start casting. Around my tenth cast I plant the Smith Pure spoon between two tree stumps sticking out of the water. I start reeling and get my first trout of the day which will be the biggest. A good start. I cast closer to the second post and get another hit this time the trout is much smaller around 15-17cm.

Wading upstream I admire nature while fallen timber and rocks dictate the course of the river. I did not go 15min without a bite although the trout were all small, the constant action was wonderful. Was using only spoon lures. A drawback of the river it is popular with water tourists. First you hear the hollow plastic bangs and knocks. Then one kayak after another pass me. Always followed by the same questions. Hows it biting, hope we are not scaring the fish. Although frustrating cannot be mad at people trying to relax in nature

After another 6 hours I was 4km upstream. I decide to wade back down. Casting between logs, under low hanging branches, small trout, grayling kept on biting.

Last challenge

As the sun fell clouds started forming and rain was imminent. Making it to the car before rainfall was the goal. At the last leg of my journey, I step out of the river and all I have left is the nettle field and a uphill climb. It starts pouring wind gusts blow. I plow threw the tall grass feeling the burn in my thighs. The car is in sight, but I am already drenched. I quickly change into a dry pair of clothes. The forest roads are flowing with water. I feel wheel spin, but with some light maneuvering I make it to the main road. The day had everything and it was fantastic !

The summer has arrived

I set out after sleeping in. I reach the river at around 10:30am. Prep my gear and start casting. I decide to test a new spoon the ANTEM (Angler’z System) Olian and keep it on for the day. A small lure with an olive/yellow color and a unique bend, which creates active movement.

It was windy, but the skies clear. The heat was intense, flies buzzing everywhere. But no mayflies insight. Was fishing high upstream. The river was 3-4m width casting was not challenging. After an hour I get my first bite. For a split second I see a small trout on the surface doing a dance with the lure. As soon as he felt resistance he spits the lure out. Early action is a good sign. Now the sun was at a midday high. No sun lotion, no sun cap sunburn was a guarantee. Reconciled with my fate all I can do is plow forward. Bigger trout await. 2 hours pass and I get another hit this time the trout reaches my net. Pretty much a standard size for this season. Still feisty. I let him go, have a snack and keep moving forward.

After sometime the scenery changes. The river goes from fields to a forest. There I catch a small pike. A pleasant surprise for this river.

I admire the blossoming nature and rest up. After a couple hours of casting with one more trout bite I decide to head home. Looking like a lobster I take a short cut threw the fields. As I make my way to the car, a white dot stands out in the horizon. It is a panel-van. With no roads around, I ended a days of fishing wondering how did a it end up in the middle of a field under a dead tree...