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Denmark and Lithuania

PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 10:27 am
by distantstreams
In the early days of fly fishing - before the fly reel was invented - did you know that the line was attached to the rod tip – or fallen tree branch is some cases, and if you hooked a big fish the only thing to do was to throw the rod or branch in the water and let the fish tow around your equipment until it was exhausted?
Then the rod would be retrieved (assuming the fish had pause to hang around long enough and not decide to swim away), then, hopefully the fish was landed.
Can you imagine doing that today? Picture it…anglers throwing in their over priced fly rods and watching some fish drag the thing through weed, over stones and fallen branches. Good job really.
My rod looks as if some fish has done just that. Still, regardless of its looks, it still is a perfect extension of my right arm and works a treat.

As the 2005 season draws closer and closer the mind wonders to what the year will bring? It’s hard to fathom that within four weeks most of my new flies will have wet their wings after a long dark winter. Another season dawns and with it, the promise of new dreams and experiences.
Snow blanketed the country on March 1st, after a mild winter. Putting the country in shock. I mean, it wasn’t that bad considering, but the news and radio broadcast around the clock as if “The Day After Tomorrow” had finally become reality.

Already most streams are open in Denmark with the premier being on or around mid January. The remainder follow suit right up until April 1st, when, for a couple of days, anglers will be flocking to the waters edge until the thirst to fish is quenched.

Lithuania however, is a different scene. No water closure has enlightened the fact, that I have managed to wet many a fly in the superb and untouched waters of the country, hunting for my pleasure – The grayling (thymallus thymallus), popping my record of 52cm and pulling in a “Oh My God!” grayling of 55cm, even if slightly over weight!
All in all – I cannot recall having such an unbelievable day by the water in scenery that could only be described as “surreal”. Grayling were taking the nymph readily, with a scattered flurry of rises towards the latter part of the day in shallow pools.
The smallest grayling taken measured 35cm, which, to some is a dream grayling and nothing to turn your nose up too.
Both the Ula and Salcia rivers were productive with a Visincia tributary coming up top trumps providing - some testing situations and difficult to get at - but large grayling.

The first guests arrived promptly as soon as the package went on line. Already response to fly fishing in Lithuania has been positive.
Surprisingly, Lithuania is still raw and untouched with regard to fly-fishing. Whatever your pleasure - brown trout, sea trout, salmon and record sized grayling - you can expect the high caliber of fish within range.
This amazing country is well endowed with endless rivers, streams and brooks set in lush green valleys and forests, offering top quality fly-fishing. The natural rivers and streams that populate the Neris National Park are well recommended, which covers 10,587 hectares, 85% is forest cover, is known for considerable numbers of elk, deer, wild boar, wolves and foxes and a countless number of game fish.
There are so many rivers, streams and brooks in Lithuania that it would take a lifetime to experience them all and not all these waters hold decent fish. The waters are well of the beaten track and untouched, set hidden in forests and valleys which, scour 30 to 50 metres through the landscape.
Most if not all - have crystal clear waters where browns average 3 to 4lb with 5lb+ a common sight. Grayling are the jewel reaching up to 2lb+.
Sea trout and salmon reach double figures and offer additional excitement and game.

“An untouched jewel?” You bet ya. Enuff said I think for now – More news on the saltwater front next week along with more reports as the season unfolds here in Denmark.

As I said “Enuff said!

Image

Ripley Davenport