POLAND by Dr Stanislaw Cios

Any foreign angler is most welcome in Poland. However, when planning a trip here he will face some challenges. The most important one concerns the licence. There is no precise information in English on the website of the Polish Angling Association to guide the angler (the page with “Fishing regulations in Poland” does not help much). He will not know what type of licences are available, what the price is (usually about 40 PLN per day, but some C&R water are more expensive) and where to buy the licence, not to mention such minor details like bags, size limits and closed seasons. If this information didn’t discourage the potential visitor than he may read the following sections.

Basically, grayling may be found in two regions in Poland. In the southern part of the country (the submontane region) the best waters are the River Dunajec and River San. There are four sections in the River Dunajec drainage area, which I recommend. The first one is the upper part – the River Czarny Dunajec, from the town Czarny Dunajec to Nowy Targ. It has a fairly high gradient, crystal clear water and a stony bottom, excellent for spawning. The fish population is dominated by grayling and trout. A large part of the water is C&R. The next section is from the city of Nowy Targ to the inflow into the Czorsztyn Reservoir. This section is under strong influence of the reservoir and in several places such species like roach, perch and chub may be abundant. The third section is from the dam in Czorsztyn until the city of Nowy Sącz, excluding the closed section in the Pieniński National Park (between the villages Sromowce Niżne and Szczawnica). The best part is a C&R water from Krościenko downstream until the confluence with the stream Ochotnica (ca.11km). Since the completion of the construction of the dam in Czorsztyn in the 1990s grayling population has dropped tremendously due to the lack of the possibility of migration to the spawning areas in the River Czarny Dunajec and frequent changes in the water level destroying the fry. The fourth section is the River Poprad, which is an affluent of the Dunajec. The whole river holds grayling and there are many beautiful places worth visiting. There is also a good population of barbel, nase and chub. However, there is one serious drawback – the water is very muddy after heavy rains, even for a few weeks, due to clay substrate. In contrast, River Dunajec becomes clean and fishable after one day.

As regards the River San there are also a few sections offering different possibilities. The water upstream of the Solina Reservoir holds many grayling, but in general they are not large (rarely >35cm). The best section is from the dam in Myczkowce (hypolimnion drain, temperature in the range 4-11ºC) until the confluence with the stream Hoczewka (ca. 7km). It is a C&R and fly-only water, holding many nice grayling, trout and huchen. The water level depends on the release from the Myczkowce Reservoir (it may change quite often). The third section is from the confluence with the stream Hoczewka until the weir in Osława (just above the confluence with the stream Osława). It is also a good water. According to current rules all grayling must be released there (trout may be kept). Two World and one European FIPS-Mouche fly fishing championships were organised on this most beautiful fly-water in Poland and one of the best ones in the world. The river is wide (on average 80-100m), shallow (50-150cm, with only occasional deep pools) and smooth surface. It is an ideal dry fly water, for the beginner and the expert. Most of the big fish are highly trained in avoiding the angler’s flies, so, they can really test his skill and patience.

In the northern highland part of the country there are several beautiful rivers, especially Łupawa, Wieprza, Łeba, Reda and Radunia (all emptying into the Baltic Sea), Wda and Brda (affluents of the River Vistula), as well as Drawa (especially the section within the Drawieński National Park – see http://dpn.pl/fishing) and Gwda (with its affluents Czernica, Piława and Dobrzyca). Long sections of these rivers flow through forests. Some parts are C&R waters. Best grayling fishing is early in June and in October-December. During the summer the waters are full of vegetation and kayaks, both being a nuisance for the angler.

One final remark – in most public waters the grayling population is at a very low level (except C&R). This is mainly due to overfishing, poaching and anthropogenic impacts (pollution, stream regulation, destruction of spawning sites, dams and weirs, etc.), but also mismanagement can be greatly improved.

Should any reader be determined to visit Poland, which I strongly recommend, I would be ready to give him some individual advice on how to plan the trip. Contact: stcios@hotmail.com

CZECH REPUBLIC by Jitka Rutkayová, Karel Beneš, Jan Šiman and Pavel Vrána

The Czech Republic (or Czechia) is a landlocked nation state in the Central Europe bordered by Germany to the West, Austria to the South, Slovakia to the East and Poland to the North East. The Czech Republic covers the area of 30,450 sq. miles and has 10.6 million inhabitants. The Czech Republic includes the historical territories of Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia.

Sport fishermen (anglers) are mainly members of the Czech Anglers Union (Czech: Český rybářský svaz – ČRS). ČRS is a civic organization, its essential functions are:

1. Perform angling activities pursuant to the Fishery Law.
2. Behave, protect, and fish water organisms, their life and environment.
3. Provide methodological help and service for organizational units of the Union and its members, including the purchase and distribution of the fish stock for further production and stocking of the fisheries.
4. Protect nature, water cleanliness and environment.
5. Participate in out-of-school activities for children and youth in the area of fisheries and angling sport, environmental protection, water and environmental cleanliness.
6. Participate in integration of handicapped people into the Union´s activity.
7. Develop and popularize angling and organize angling contests for all levels.
8. Cooperate with the Czech and foreign bodies, organizations, and institutions whose activity touches angling and the environment.

Union and its organizational units (territorial and local offices) can perform the business activities in compliance with generally obligatory legal regulations. For more information about waters visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_the_Czech_Republic

If you want to go sport fishing (or fly fishing) as a foreigner you must have:

1. A state rod licence. You can buy a temporary state rod licence for 30 days (cost 200CZK) at a municipal office (authorized or municipal authority with extended powers, in nearly every larger town in Czechia). Obtaining this licence is easy, as you just need to fill in simple form, submit your passport, and pay.
2. A fishing permit. Based on your state rod licence you can buy temporary fishing permit from the Secretary of the relevant regional, or a local organisation of the Czech Anglers Union.

More information can be found here: www.rybsvaz.cz/?page=conditions_for_angling&lang=en

If you wish to stay for longer period, you can obtain state rod licence with longer validity and become a member of the Czech Anglers Union. The rules for sport fishing, including fly fishing, are based on the fishing regulations of the Czech Anglers Union, which are available here:

www.rybsvaz.cz/pages_cz/legislativa/fishing_regulation_2017.pdf (the 2018 English version is not available yet).

A few examples of rivers in the catchment with populations of grayling: upper parts of Otava and Vltava river.

River Otava

The Otava is a river in West and South Bohemia. It is 112 kilometres (70 miles) long and is the left tributary of the Vltava. The river flows through several towns, including Sušice, Strakonice and Písek. The river's name is of the Celtic origin. It is a popular river for water sports.

The River Otava originates in the confluence of the River Křemelná and River Vydra near the small village of Čeňkova Pila. At the beginning, the River Otava flows through the narrow valley with many rapids, rocky bottom, and a good stock of native brown trout. Ahead, at the town of Sušice, the stream slows down in the wide and open valley and near another South Bohemia city, Strakonice, its confluences with another grayling-rich water, the River Volyňka.

The River Otava can be divided into three parts. The first one is full of large stones with fast flow and ideal conditions for brown trout. The recommended method is dry fly and nymphing with small nymphs. The middle part is broader, the riverbed is full of small stones and you can find large pools there. This is the ideal section for grayling. The lower part is deeper, and you should use heavier nymphs or even streamers. The fishing pressure is here relatively high, in combination with predators (such as cormorant) and therefore it is hard to catch bigger fish. The best option seems to be #2-5 rod from 8’6” to 9’6” or longer if you prefer French nymph.

River Vltava

The River Vltava is the longest Czech river. It begins at the confluence of two tributaries – the Teplá Vltava (Warm Vltava) and the Studená Vltava (Cold Vltava) – in the nature reserve of the Mrtvý Luh (Dead Mead), which lies near the small village Nová Pec in the Šumava mountains (Bohemian Forest). The Hot Vltava is considered as the headstream. After the confluence it continues to the largest reservoir in the Czech Republic, Lipno I. Under the dam of Lipno I is the start of a nice natural part of the River Vltava called Čertovy kameny (Devils stones). It’s a stretch of the river where just 10 permits per day are issued.

A relatively broader part of river, which flows through wide valleys, can be found near Slunečná, Dobrá, Lenora and Horní Vltavice (Warm Vltava). Parts of the river are not accessible by car due to National Park Šumava regulations and in some parts wading is not allowed. The first part of river near Horní Vltavice and Lenora has a sandy bed with rocky areas, some big rocks and depth up to 1m (deeper pools up to 3m). Besides grayling, it is possible to catch brown trout, pike and dace. The best grayling periods are the end of April to the end of June and mid of September up to November, although grayling are protected during first period (1st December to 15th June).

Near Volary (Slunečná) the river is bigger river up to 20 m wide with plenty of water weeds and depth up to 1.3m. The longest part of river is in the National Park Šumava. Instead of grayling, which are prevalent here, you can catch pike, perch, dace and chub, or even bream. Those species migrate upstream from the Lipno Reservoir mostly in summertime. This part of the river is also preferred by paddlers during the summer season from early morning to late evening, so the best season is late September and most of October. You should be careful when wading as you can come across some deep pools (up to 3m).

The most common methods are Czech or French nymphing, wet fly and dry fly-fishing which works the best in the afternoon when graylings are rising. You will be fine with #4 rod (down to #1) with length of 8’6” up to 10’ for nymphing. All types of duns on hooks of 16-22 size (mostly olive and blue) work well. Best for nymphing are green, brown and grey sorts of Czech nymphs (Bobeš) or micro nymphs with small tungsten heads (classical gold and silver ones are OK).

The lower parts of the river under the Lipno II. reservoir are wide (20-50m) with a depth up to 1.5m. The riverbed is rocky with sandy deposits. Wearing high waders is highly recommended. Fishing is affected by Lipno II., the waterflow varying between 6 to 30m3/s. In the summertime it is about 6 to 10m3/s which is fine. In the upper part around Herbertov you have a great chance of catching big brown trout or grayling. The best season is late May and June, when sedge’s hatch starts. Also, October and November are great. The successful flies are bugs, olives, quills, natural palmers, and duns. You can also use nymphing techniques which are recommended here. Even streamers are not bad here with heavier rods (#5-6), especially in the mornings due to rainbow trout. Downstream around the small town of Rožmberk there are some nice places, however, access to the water is affected by a deep valley and a public road close to the river. During the summer season there are also plenty of paddlers and from late morning (approx. 10am) to late afternoon (up to 7pm) it is not quiet place.

Finding accommodation is not a big issue as in every part of river there are a lot of campsites, pensions, hotels etc. If you’d like help with accommodation and holiday activities, contact the travel agency CA Manta Travel, email: info@mantatravel.cz. Also visit a website about fly fishing www.goflyfish.cz (EN). There is nice photo gallery of the rivers, fish, landscape and nature. This website also provides fishing information, fly fisher testimonials (http://goflyfish.cz/references.html)   and lots of useful information for visitors.

If you wish to find more details, the person to contact in the Czech Republic is Ms Jitka Rutkayová, phone +420 607 605 778 or email: jitka.rutkay@centrum.cz If you want to contact the Czech Anglers Association the right person is Pavel Vrána (phone +420 728 701 379, email: vrana@rybsvaz.cz). If you like to get information about current fishing conditions, to help with fishing licences and permits, or wish to use an experienced fishing guide, you can contact Jan Šiman (phone +420 775 107 441, email: info@siman.cz).

ITALY By Mauro Zavaldi

Piedmont Region

River Sesia - The blue fin grayling paradise.

Rivers & Creeks: River Sesia, Val Sesia Valley.

Fishing Area: River Sesia, from the town of Varallo till to the town of Campertogno.

Species: European grayling (Thymallus aeliani “blue fin grayling”), marble trout, rainbow trout,

brown trout.

Grayling population status: Poor but increasing

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.valsesiapesca.it

River Toce

Rivers & Creeks: River Toce, Val d’Ossola Valley.

Fishing Area: Catch & Release area of “Verampio” around the town of Bacedo, Catch & Release area

between the towns of Domossola and Crevoladossola.

Autumn & Winter fishing area: From the town of Migiandone to the town of Gravellona Toce.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout.

Grayling population status: Poor but increasing.

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.fipsasvco.it

Lombardy Region

River Adda - The most important grayling population in Italy.

Rivers & Creeks: River Adda, Valtellina Valley.

Fishing Area: Entire river from Tirano to Morbegno.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, rainbow trout, brown trout.

Grayling population status: Plentiful.

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.unionepescasondrio.it

River Oglio

Rivers & Creeks: River Oglio, Valcamonica Valley

Fishing Area: From the mouth with the Lake Iseo to the village of Rogno.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, rainbow trout, brown trout (lake trout).

Grayling population status: Poor.

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.pescaamoscabrescia.org

Trentino Region

River Adige, Stream Noce

Rivers & Creeks: River Adige (val d’Adige Valley), Stream Noce (Piana Rotaliana Valley).

Fishing Area: From the city of Trento to the entire river upstream.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Plentiful.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.apdt.it

River Adige 2

Rivers & Creeks: River Adige (Vallagarina Valley).

Fishing Area: River Adige, entire river from the town of Besenello to the town of Avio.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average at present.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.apdv.org

River Chiese

Rivers & Creeks: River Chiese (val di Chiese Valley, Val di Fumo Valley, Val di Daone Valley).

Fishing Area: Around the town of Condino.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average at present.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.associazionepescatorialtochiese.com

Alto Adige Region

River Adige & River Iscaro

Rivers & Creeks: River Adige (val d’Adige Valley), River Isarco (Isarco Valley).

Fishing Area: River Adige, entire river, River Isarco in the city of Bolzano.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Plentiful.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.fischen-pescare.bz.it

River Rienza

Rivers & Creeks: River Rienza (val Pusteria Valley.)

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average at present.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.fipsasbz.it

Stream Aurino - The biggest Grayling in Italy

Rivers & Creeks: Creek Aurino (val di Tures Valley).

Fishing Area: Around the town of Caminata di Tures.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Plentiful

Information, fishing license and guides: www.brunicofly.it

Veneto Region

River Adige

Rivers & Creeks: River Adige.

Fishing Area: Around the city of Verona.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average at present.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.appv.it/

River Brenta

Rivers & Creeks: River Brenta.

Fishing Area: From the town of Primolano to the town of Pozzoleone, includes the city of Bassano del Grappa.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average at present.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.bacinofiumebrenta.it

River Piave, Stream Boite

Rivers & Creeks: River Piave, Stream Boite.

Fishing Area: Around the town of Peraolo.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Average atpresent.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.cadorepesca.com/index.htm

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region

River Cellina, River Meduna, River Natisone, River Resia,

Rivers & Creeks: River Meduna, River Cellina, River Natisone, Creek Resia.

Fishing Area: River Meduna at Val Tramontina valley, River Cellina (Upstream from the lake of Barcis), River Natisone around San Pietro al Natisone, River Resia around Povici.

Species: European grayling, marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout.

Grayling population status: Poor but increasing.

Information, fishing license and guides: www.entetutelapesca.it

Umbria Region

River Tevere

Rivers & Creeks: River Tevere, Tail Water Tevere (TWT).

Fishing Area: Between the lake of Montedoglio (tail water) till to the town of Sansepolcro.

Species: European grayling, brown trout

Grayling population status: Poor but increasing.

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.moscaclubaltotevere.it

CROATIA

River Kupa, River Kupica, River Curak

Rivers & Creeks: River Kupa, River Kupica, Creek Curak (Kupa valley, Croatian side).

Fishing Area: Kupa: From the dams of Dol till to the spring into the Risnjak National Park. Kupica & Curak: Around the town of Brod Na Kupi.

Species: European grayling, brown trout, Danube salmon (Hucho hucho).

Grayling population status: Plentiful.

Information, fishing licence and guides: www.risnjak.hr (Kupa into the National Park only) www.kupa-flyfishing.com (Kupa, Kupica, Curak)

SCANDINAVIA By Harry Salmgren

Finland

Yes, there are grayling in Finland. To find them you must travel to Northern part of the country. In Lapland you can find them in many rivers but also in lakes. The best places are in Western Lapland.

The River Teno is an excellent place to catch grayling, and there are good stocks almost everywhere in the long river. 40 cm is quite common but also 50+ can be found. The problem there is the new fishing rule. Last summer the prices were raised, and the fishing time was reduced. The same will continue minimum three years.

In the ‘arm’ of the country there are also good grayling rivers. The best places can be reached only by the helicopter or by hydroplane. Of course, you can also hike but I do not recommend it.

In Eastern Lapland grayling are mostly small, and there are many more mosquitos than, for example, in Teno.

In Middle Finland there are also grayling waters, but the size of the fish is far from those in Lapland.

Sweden

Sweden is a wide country from south to the north. The southern-most grayling habitat is Lake Vättern. Even though the land-locked salmon fishing from the shore has become very popular, grayling is easiest caught from a boat or belly boat. Around Vättern many preservation efforts are being put into the smallish brooks and streams where grayling spawn, to help the numbers to grow. The population is in danger though, so catch and release is suggested. But for an angler travelling by car, Brandstorp near Habo, as one example, offer venues from land suitable for grayling fishing. One of the biggest towns this area is Jönköping at the southern end of the lake, whereas Karlstad in the northern end of another big lake; Lake Vänern, is closer to another area for grayling near the River Klarälven. Angling for grayling there has generally less importance nowadays though due to fewer catches.

Suggestion: For an angler interested in grayling, the area further north to north northwest, closer to the Norwegian border, offers both better venues and catches. An area Frank Sawyer also particularly visited, was the River Storån. In that area, an hour away, you have Nordic Footprints AB serving visiting anglers. Members of the Grayling Society get a 10% discount. See: Hem (nordicfootprints.se)

The River Dalälven is said to be the geographical border between north and south in Sweden. Gysinge village is one convenient destination for grayling anglers, although zander and pike are the prime targets for many visitors. However, the large river is also suitable for boat. More info here:   Fishing | Nedre Dalälven (nedredalalven.se)

Suggestion: Around Daläven, as big as it is, there are many possibilities for lodging. There are possibilities to find guides, licenses and what not. One of the information points in this area is Färnebofjärden. www.nationalparksofsweden.se/choose-park---list/farnebofjarden-national-park/

Central Sweden Throughout Sweden there are numerous places for exciting grayling fishing. Frank Sawyer was also planning go to to Härjedalen and Jämtland but problems with his back stopped him. Many others did visit, until the catches went down for bad local fish politics. Now it all has changed for everyone… OK, perhaps not exactly all. But there are serious C&R-Anglers too. So, just to give a hint at some of the gems found on the way up north, I´ve added these venues in Jämtland: Idsjöströmmen, is nowadays “living” proof that a watershed can be restored after waterways have been bulldozer cleaned, like the River Lögde – later in this review.

The river Idsjöströmmen was formerly used as a timber route from waste inland logging areas. Since 2002, virtually all caught grayling have been released, after the first humble steps from Lars-Åke and others to introduce C&R in the late 1980s. This has contributed greatly to the famed grayling fishing today.

Suggestions: My personal best memories from Idsjöstömmen are when late Mel Krieger and his wife Fanny invited me to join them, their friends and Jennifer and LarsÅke Olsson fishing there. Scandiwest – Fly Fishing Guide in Gimdalen Sweden

Storsjön, for grayling you´ll find some interesting venues around the town of Östersund in the lake Storsjön for ex. as the Vallsundsbridge and the surrounding venues around the island Andersön. Kvitsleströmmarna, west of Storsjön is a both known, but also sometimes very populated by anglers chasing big brown trout migrating through from Storsjön. However, the grayling is the one I like, and often quite big too. Also, the River Dammån has interesting venues for grayling.

Suggestion: For further, and more up to date info in this area. https://kvitslefiske.com/

Ammerån. East of Östersund, has been known to anglers for a very long time. The village of Skyttmon north of the village Ammer, along road 344, is a convenient base for expeditions in the area.

To the Coast and further up North Travelling further east from Östersund you could aim for the unique grayling fishing in the sea up north along the coast in the Gulf of Bothnia. Nowadays the coastal area for angling would be from Umeå/Holmsund and north. In my childhood though, grayling was abundant further south, and nowadays only Indalsälven and Testeboån have populations of grayling in the south. However, it is unsure if they spawn in the sea as the more northerly populations also do. Normally you´ll find two relatives of grayling up along the coast further north; river spawners, and grayling which spawn in the sea along the coast and around island shores, like around the island Holmön. Their fingerling can be found in lesser water sheds along stoney coastal areas not more than 30cm deep. You´ll also find grayling in most of the bigger and smaller rivers going up north.

Some examples: The River Lögde, (Lögdeälven) where, in 1998, an American team filmed grayling fishing for US TV. The River Öre (Öreälven), the River Lögde and a few other rivers were also together with the River Vindelälven prep venues for six practicing teams in Bjurholm for the 2001 World Fly Fishing competition in Lycksele.

Well, you find grayling in almost all rivers except for the smallest ones close to the sea, where very aged but small brown trout thrive. In this area they are called Stenbit – ‘piece of rock’– and are fished with top knotted lines and free-floating worms or flies without any weight. (That is how we learned to fly fish as kids).

Inland though, in other watersheds, it is another story. Atlantic salmon and sea trout don't compete with grayling there. Brownies and, higher up in the mountains white fish and char, get their part of the waters. One of the most renowned grayling paradises is the famed fishing camp Tjuonajokk. In these wilderness areas of the Sapmi people, there are naturally too many grayling waters for this review, so this time I'll end with just one!

Suggestion: The Tjuonajokk Fishing camp Fishyourdream Upplevelser med Fish Your Dream

Members of the Grayling Society get a 10% discount on all the Fish Your Dream destinations. One piece of advice though – if you find the fishing there too easy, try the foursome. It has always been a keen challenge for many anglers: brown trout, char, whitefish, and grayling – the Lady of the Stream!

Then for all ‘dreamers’, there’s the ‘Fishtrain’ that I´ve dreamed of ever since I worked in Lapland: the existing railway that cuts through so many unfished streams and lakes, through sheer wilderness, and which only needs a complimentary agenda – fishing stops!