Rena week 27 – 2018

Like the last couple of years we rented an apartment at the Rena Fishing Camp and we were Gunnar, Henning, Anders, Lise and I. We also knew that Henrik would be there as he was supposed to guide now and then. But a week with dry fly fishing from a drifting pontoon boat is something I always look forward to. This will be a sparse post as I did not take many photos.

 

We knew from Henriks reports that the water level was low but we were not prepared for how much this changed the river. The level was 5 feet below normal and that made it much easier to wade fish what normally is quite challenging and all our normal hotspots for fish were dry. As the water come from a deep lake the water temperature was actually low around 14 degrees Celsius so in contrast to a lot of other rivers the fish were actively feeding and there was no problem with fishing C&R. If the water temperature hits 20 degrees the fishing will be closed. The air temperature were 26-30 degrees during our stay so we fished mainly in the evening and as the soccer world championship was running we also spent some time watching this.

 

I mainly aimed for the trouts and everyday we got some nice and strong fighting fish.

 

When a grayling showed I naturally presented my fly and often succeeded in landing af fish. The grayling quite big as you rarely catch fish below 40 cm and the average fish is 45 cm and they are much thicker and deeper than the fish we get in Glomma.

All the grayling and trout were released but one day Henrik fished for white fish to smoke so that made a nice meal one day. The other days we had to eat big steaks of wagyu beef and other delicious stuff. We must admit  that the eating and drinking is an important part of the trip.

 

 

We saw beavers on a regular basis. Normally for safety reasons the beavers nest has its door below the surface but with the low level of water that was spoiled.

 

We saw most of the beavers in the evening so it was not easy to get a good photo opportunity so this is a more evidence of the beaver than a nice photo.

 

One day Henrik found a trout sipping mayflies and he got a real beauty around the 58 cm mark.

Release of another nice grayling.

One of the nicer trout caught just before we stopped the fishing one night.

Despite the low level of water we had some very good fishing with the dry flies and we like always had a blast with lots of laughs and we will come back one way or another again.

 

 

 

Stevns, week 16 – 2018

After 6 months without a fishing trip due to my bad shoulders I signed up for five days at Stevns flyfishing for sea run brown trout from pontoon boats. We normally go to Sweden this time of the year but this year we tried something new. In order to lessen the stress on my shoulders when casting I had bought a Hardy Demon 11 foot switch rod #4/5 which I fished with my regular 6 weight shooting head on 14 grams. This turned out to work very well despite the rod is supposed to be loaded with an 18 gram head but that may be fine for switch cast and I has casting overhead. The important thing was that it was a delight to cast with and I could fish all day without too much pain afterwards. I was a jumping happy boy inside 😉

The group was more or less like last year except that Jesper and Knud joined from time to time. I forgot my camera so I did not get many photos but Henrik and Leif took some nice photos that I could use.

The coast at Stevns has many places cliffs and are very beautiful and the bottom looks fantastic

 

 

Lars presenting a nice fish from the first day, it was a nice fish but as it had been up spawning it was released.

 

The water is a bit brackish so now and then an ide will grab the fly. Lars turned out to be the ide expert but I did not get any

 

Some af the fish were below the minimum size so they were released

It was the first time I fished with my new electric motor a Torqeedo 1003, that worked fine but is quite expensive.

Some of the days were very calm. It was easy to see if fish showed but they were trickier to get to the fly.

 

As I had not fished for a long time it was a joy every time I was in this situation

Especially when the fish was big enough to keep and not a kelt

 

 

From the last day were only Leif and I were fishing and we had the best fishing of the trip as we landed 11 trouts all over the minimum size and 3 times we had a double hook up. I brought back two fish this day as I had promised my wife to get some and they have already been consumed.

We got 27 trouts as a group and I got 13 (you never know if you get the chance to brag again) and my new rod worked very well so for me it was a fantastic trip. The trip was like always with a lot of laughs, good food and something to drink so what could go wrong. I now consider getting a two classes heavier switch rod for my striper and pike fishing and what I can find to fish for. I feel I am back 🙂

 

 

Rena week 32 – 2017

Like last year a week planned for dry-fly fishing at Rena drifting from pontoon boats. This year I was joined by Henning, Anders, Gunnar, Inge and my wife Lise and we all had pontoon boats. We stayed at Rena Fishing Camp where the plan was to fish, eat drink and have a lot of fun.

Rea is a beautiful river but a lot of places it is hard to wade fish and that is one of the reasons we are very fond of drifting down the river. it also adds variation to the fishing but when you do not anchor up you only get ones shot at a fish.

 

We fish to fish that feeds at the surface but we also blind fish with dry flies and that can be quite productive when you have learned where to do your fishing. The trouts are wild thoiugh some fish are stocked and they are marked with the fat fin cut off. I have now caught probably more than 200 trout and still haven´t seen any stocked trout. The largest trout are caught at nighttime but we did not fish in the dark so for us nice fish are in the 35 – 40 cm range.

 

Here Lise has hooked at trout

And presenting the fish before release

 

I normally fish primarily for trout but when I see a grayling I go for that as well. The average size for grayling is very good as it is around 45 cm. You may kill one grayling and one trout per day and they must be in the 30 – 40 cm range.

 

The fly I used most of the time was Dyret or the Animal.

 

It is an imitation of a sedge or a stone fly, not anatomically correct but it works fine.

 

 

When you want to release the fish and want a photo I seem to end up with two kinds of photos. One in the net..

 

or one in the hand. When sitting in a boat alone and  wanting to release it as fast as possible I end up with a bit boring photos.

 

 

There is a 5 km stretch that is only for fly fishing and no boat fishing. This is part of the fly zone that is very promising

 

 

We typically drifted 10 – 12 km so a bit of logistics were necessary everyday. We managed to transport all 6 pontoon boats inflated on two cars and a trailer.

 

Inge managed to find a handful of big very good-looking and tasting Karl Johan, one of the best edible mushrooms and we had a fantastic starter one night.

 

Everyday we started out with freshly baked bread. The eating is an important part of the trip.

 

  One day Lise was the master fly-fisher as she caught the two largest fish of the day here presenting one of them. We all used my stripping basket but they probably felt that they had to 😉

 

There are also many birds and we all also saw beavers so always a nice experience in the nature.

 

‘    The best fish on the trip was this 1,5 kg trout that I got in the afternoon after Gunnar promised two free flies to the biggest fish of the day.

 

It was taken on a Dyret like most of my fish.

We were lucky that the wind was very calm almost all the days and only one day rained away. We got a lot to drink and eat and had some nice fishing and a lot of laughs. I only paused one day du to my shoulders so that was Ok and I am sure we will come back next year.

 

 

Cape Cod, week 30 – 2017

I haven´t been fishing for a couple of months to spare my bad shoulder as I hoped that could be ready for our annually trip to Cape Cod and that is the reason that not much happens in the blog. This year I went with Thomas, Peter, Carsten and Henning and we naturally hoped to get to fish with some of our American fishing friends as well. And we did get out with Scott, Tom and Bruce. During our stay Tom became a grand father so it was hard for him to wipe of his smile and congratulation to him and his family.

 

The first morning we went to Brewsters and we got into a lot of action.  Carsten this morning got 70 stripers which is a new record in one session for our group. It was mostly schoolies but good fun and a good start. Thomas also got a keeper so not only small fish.

 

We as maybe a bit too often timed the fishing so we could have breakfast at Hangar B at Chatham airport. This is by a big margin the best breakfast place we have tried at the Cape. A bit more expensive but very good.

 

This is how American pancakes should be served and no matter what we order it looks good and tastes even better. And the coffee is also top-notch I am told as I am not addicted to that.

 

The next day we went wade fishing on the bars and got many schoolies but also some nice fish and Thomas got this 31 inch fish that later were served with sweet corn, asparagus, potatoes and homemade hollandaise. This we normally do once every trip but we can only do it if we get a keeper.

 

Thomas and I have bought a tandem kayak and the other guys rented kayaks so we could go on an expedition. The conditions were fantastic high sun on no wind.

 

The first day in the kayaks Scott really pulled it of as he got all the keepers but we all had a terrific day with sight fishing and a good number of fish in the 25 – 27 inch range.

 

We had four days where we went kayaking and that is the first time we could do that and especially three of the days we had terrific sight fishing and the last day the fish just kept coming, it was really world-class fishing.

 

Carsten did not get a keeper but many time she was close and that suited him quite well as he then has an excuse for coming back next year.

 

The action went on so the time to take photos should be limited.

All fish except one were released and the big number of schoolies promise some good years to come.

Thomas fighting another nice fish in the shallows

 

and presenting it the standard Thomas way

 

Peter with a nice fish

 

Thomas with a big smile and a big fish

 

A bit blurry but you have to see my life-preserver from the 80´ies. That gave me many remarks maybe I next year should bring shoulder pads and leg warmers.

 

We had a terrific trip with lots of fish and a good number of keepers but not any really big ones and several days with fantastic sight fishing that we can only hope for and be happy for when it happens. We met our American friends, had some good things to eat and drink so what more can you ask for? We will come back next year for sure.

 

 

 

New test of stripping baskets

The largest Danish sport fishing magazine “Sportsfiskeren” published this month a test of 6 different stripping baskets. 5 of these baskets were designed in Denmark so apparently it is a Danish thing to design stripping baskets. The linekurv.dk was the first Danish design to be seen and is still alive and kicking as it was awarded as “most bang for the buck”.

Mariager Fjord 1/4 – 2017

A trip alone in the pontoon boat to Mariager fjord. Last weekend not much happened and after a couple of hours I thought that this would be the same. But after lundbreak a fish showed at he surface and 15 minutes later a nice trout grabbed the fly and started a serie of jumps.

it was a well conditioned trout that measured 50 cm and 1.51 kg.

 

It took a worm pattern and when I gutted it I saw that it had feasted heavily on polychaete worms.

Nice fish but not for me :-)

This weekend I was out for the first time in almost 4 months but I did not have much luck. Fortunately others have done better.

In can very much recommend this article from Globalflyfisher (a very recommendable website) about a fantastic sea run brown trout.

And my friend Leif also did well this weekend and he made a smal video

Have fun reading and viewing and hopefully I will come back soon with news of my own

 

Sidorovka, week 25 – 2016

For the first time I went to the Kola peninsula in Russia, a place I have dreamed about for years. I and 3 of the Bombayfly guys should flyfish in Sidorovka for 6 days. Sidorovka is a rather small river well suited for single-handed rods and that suited me well I thought.

The team was Stefan, myself, Lasse and Jonas

I teamed up with Stefan and as we both used a Linekurv we were named team Linekurv. The first day we went downstream and i the Valley pool Stefan had three salmon taking his fly that were not hooked properly.

 

 

 

I had a go afterwards and at the end of the small pool I hooked my first Sidorovka salmon.

 

It was a nice fresh fish in the mid 70´es lenghtwise and I was a happy fly-fisher.

 

I the went down and tried the next pool and got another fish. I was a bit surprised when it turned out to be a humpback salmon. The camp manager later told us that they were not expected until mid July so it was way too early. On this trip I was the only one catching humpback and I caught three of them. Why they only grabbed my fly I have no idea.

 

We then went all the way to the Sea pool which is close to the sea (smart name 😉 )

 

 

 

Here I got this small searun brown trout and I had gotten a Sidorovka gran slam: an Atlantic salmon, a pacific salmon and a searun brown trout in one day. At least that is what I called it.

 

At the dinner that day I received this needle to show I had my first Sidorovka salmon. This day I was the lucky man the others had their needle the coming days.

 

The next day Stefan and I hiked up to the place called Shithouse. It was a hike that took 1½ hour each way and at least I was tired when returning back to the camp in the evening.

 

At the Shithouse 5 small lakes were connected with some small streams and the neck og the lakes proved quite productive so it was worth the long hike.

 

 

Most of the times we hooked a fish at the neck and the fish went downstream and was landed in the next lake. Here Stefan presents one of his salmon’s.

 

When returning from the Shithouse it was a very welcome sight to see the camp and knowing that you were almost at home.

The next days we alternated between the long walk to Shithouse and fishing closer to the camp and we all got fish. Here Jonas presents probably the biggest fish on the trip app. 90 cm.

 

Stefan got 7 salmon’s and was happy for every one of them

 

 

Lasse started out a bit slow but came back as can be seen.

 

Lasse and Jonas at the Shithouse.

 

Lasse also got a very nice brown trout around the 45 cm mark.

 

Golden killer was probably the most efficient fly but also got fish on Sunray shadow, Iceman and ØT Special.

 

There was also a bit of wildlife. The most numerous animal was the mosquito. Jonas had fished in Alaska so he had som repellent with more than 98% DEET. Not healthy but efficient.

 

The ptarmigans (a grouse like bird)  were not easy to scare. Kenny our guide called the tundra chicken.

This bird was redlisted and quite rare but the exact species I do not know. We also met a lot of reindeer’s and minks.

 

wild chives were everywhere.

 

and came in handy when you wanted to flavour your breakfast.

 

A few of the salmon’s were taken to camp and we had the as sashimi, in soup, as steaks and rimmet all very delicious.  The food was excellent at the camp. We had a four course dinner every night and we send warm greetings to our Ukrainian chef.

 

As always when you have to end a fishing trip it is nice not to need to DEET yourself every day but it is with some sadness that you leave this beautiful place.

I ended up having caught four Atlantic salmon and three pacific salmon and some seatrout and brown trout and I was content especially considering that the weather was way too warm the last three days. Stefan lost by a good margin the largest fish (12-15 kg) when the hook broke and the sight of that fish jumping is still on my retinal. Wed a lot of fun and some fantastic fishing so a very good trip despite the long travel back and forth

 

Movie: flyfishing for searun Brown trout

Frank and Peter from Bombay Fly have made a small movie about flyfishing for searun Brown trout i Mariager Fjord. They show some fishing and tell about the gear and its in English so take a look.

just click on:  Video

Whip fly fishing: danish sea trout movie

The guys from Whip Fly Fishing have made a short movie on fly fishing for searun brown trout in Denmark. I have to say that is very well made and I can warmly recommend it. Watch it here

Review of Linekurv.dk in Arizona wanderings

A review has been published in Arizona Wanderings. Follow the link, reed it and see some very nice fish and Photos.  Below you can see a teaser

 

Russioan video + blog

From Yarik – a russian Linekurv user – I received a mail with links to his blog with some very nicely made videos and photos. I do not speak Russian but I can still enjoy a nice fishing video.

Here is an example of a video with some flyfishing for pike.

Tange Sø 13/11 2011

A 3 hour trip to Tange Sø fishing for pike on my own. Almost no wind and sunny when I started it was a nice trip. But as clouds came it really got cold. The water is contrary to earlier years very clear but there was not much action.

After a couple of hours fishing a pike took the fly.

 

this 3 pound pike was all for me today but nice afternoon at the lake despite tho cold weather

Udbyhøj 24/9 2011

Back in Udbyhøj alone in the pontoon boat. Due to a severe twist of my neck Tuesday evening I have had problems with my right arm both with controlling the muscles and with the strength. So I was afraid that it would harm my flycasting and it definitely did. I could cast but only with difficulty and not far. That is very depressing and I hope that my arm will improve especially when I in 4 weeks head for Cape cod fishing for stripers.

Despite the casting problems I managed to catch 10 trouts this day but only one was big enough to keep.

It was a 44 cm trout in the fall suit.

A couple of times a seal followed me. This is not good for the fishing but a nice experience. In the shallow water many mullets showed but as all my mullet fly had been exposed to salt water the hooks broke easily so I have to tie some new ones.

Fly show, Kolding 26/3-2011

The fly show in Kolding is a biannual event arranged by FFFD . The event attracts fly fishers from all of Scandinavia and the northern part of Europe. Here you can find  fly fishing books, travel companies aiming for fly fishers, distributors of gear, shops and a lot of other fly fishing related stuff. For me this is a great opportunity to meet people I have fished with during the years. Unfortunately this makes it hard to hear the lectures and see the casters and tiers that I plan to see from back home. Next time I may have to be there two full days.

The indoor casting pool gets a lot of attention as an expert caster makes a show every half hour. Here Mathias Lilleheim from Norway tells about his casting philosophy and show some very good casting.

In the other hall big tables are set up and a large number of top fly tiers show what you can do with feathers, hair and artificial materials to lure the fish or at least impress your fellow fly fishermen. This is a part I next time will focus more on as everyone here is more than willing to share their tricks and secrets and they have many tricks to pull off.

It is easy to powershop in a place like this, but this year I limited myself to two things. One was the new book “Skælsætninger” which is untranslatable to english by Thomas Weiergang and Jakob Sørensen. It is a very beautiful looking book with some very nice stories. The photos and the layout is so nice that I am sure you would appreciate  it even if you do not understand one word of Danish. Here Thomas presents the book. Thomas also made a very nice vignette when signing the book so I love the book even before I have read it.

´The other thing I bought was the DVD “tapâm” about tarpon fishing from a belly boat in Central America. I have only seen the teasers but that was sufficient to persuade me. The dvd is made by Daniel Göz and Jan Bach Kristensen. Above you can see Jan as he tied some very nice tarpon flies at the show.

youtube videos

As I due to a car crash (nothing serious happened to the involved and I was not responsible) have been without a car for some time and had several weekends occupied by work and non fishing related matters I have not been fishing for quite some time. And now the weather here in Denmark is so bad that I do not feel very tempted so what do you do? Fish on the internet and here I found some videos on YouTube related to my stripping basket.

The quality is not top-notch but I like to enthusiasm and the pride of the catches when people put their personal videos on the net.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUsT0OC_wks&feature=related

Video2

Video3

Video4

New photobook on seatrout

This month I am unfortunately not able to fish much, but at times I can still fish on the internet.

I fished some years ago in Mexico with Martin Jørgensen and I have enjoyed meeting him at many fly-fishing occasions later and I have always liked his beautiful website

Now Martin has “written” a photo book about fly-fishing for sea-trout in saltwater and from the preview on his side and knowing the quality of his photos I feel confident to recommend this book. Read more and order here

My stripping basket – Linekurv.dk

 

✔ Best in test | Most Innovative, Durable and Light Weight Stripping Basket – Cones and Rod Holder. 2 years warranty. App. 58 USD shipping included!

✔ This innovative stripping basket comes with adjustable belt for xs to xxxl.

✔ The discrete green colour don’t scare the fish due to low reflection material.

✔ The stripping basket have been tested for it’s durability til well below freezing point.

✔ The build-in handle facilitates the use of the basket as a wading stick.

✔ No protruding edges

✔ Price approximately 58 USD – world wide shipping included

Welcome to my blog where you can read about my fishing and about my stripping basket.

Read about my stripping basket on Linekurv.dk or in the category “about my stripping basket“

Stevns 28/3-09

A trip to Sjælland with a bunch of friend from the local club to visit an former member Lars Schriver. The main purpose was to socialize and to catch some of the big sea trouts around Stevns. Friday evening was mostly about storytelling and tasting beer and whiskey. Saturday we fished in the morning and in the late afternoon/early evening. The morning session was without any luck and we naturally blamed it on the weather as the wind was south-east which is not good according to our local guides (Lars and Peter). In the evening we tried a better spot and actually got 3 sea trouts, all above the minimum size but not big fish. I will not make any complaints as I was lucky to catch two of the trouts (app. 42 & 45 cm). I fished with a propel but I need more statistics to conclude that this was the reason for my “succes”