FISHING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

For the Great Lodge Internet Magazine, Jackson, Wyoming, USA

The Czech Republic, a small country in the heart of Europe, can offer a lot of interesting sights. The cultural heritage is very rich, the famous architecture, which can't be found only in Prague and, of course, a beautiful landscape, admired by tourists and anglers. Everything is close together. The scale is quite different than in the USA. It's about 400 km (248 miles) from the north border to the south border. It means you can see much more in a shorter time than you could expect. Fishing under a medieval castle in the morning and than the visit of the castle in the afternoon isn't anything unusual.

The Czech rivers and lakes are divided into regions with a salmonid regime (trout waters) and regions with a non-salmonid regime (no-trout waters). Two groups of these regions have their own regulations and permits. In addition to this, it is required the Czech angling license which is valid for both groups. Let me tell you more about trout waters.

The fishing season starts at the middle of April and lasts till the end of November. May is the best time for trout fishing, or the 1st half of June and the 2nd half of August. The brown trout and brook trout could be taken till the end of August. The most suitable months for graylings fishing are September and October.

You can catch any number of fish but you can take just 4 pieces of salmonid fish with you. Whenever you keep 4 pieces of fish you have to stop fishing. In one week the angler is only allowed to go three times to the river with the intention of taking the fish. A circle around the date of fishing in the permit will mark this intention. Other times he can only fish by the way of "catch and release", what he will mark a cross on the date. Minimal size of the most Czech regions is 25 cm (10 inch) for brown trout, 30 cm (12 inch) for grayling, 23 cm (9 inch) for brook trout and rainbow trout. Smaller fish must be released. The size of the fish is the length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. Predators in trout waters (pike, pikeperch, perch, eel, etc.) have no restrictions on minimum size. Caught predators cannot be placed back in trout waters.

Fly-fishing and spinning are the most common techniques. Maximum 3 flies are allowed, with the weight in the body only. Floats are not allowed. Wading is possible, using a landing net is obligatory. Spin casting is allowed with lure consisting of spinners, wobblers, twisters, streamers, devons, etc. When spin-casting with spinners, wobblers, twisters and devons only one single, one double or one treble hook may be used. Only one hand-held angling rod is permitted when catching fish in trout waters.

The most famous fishing areas are located in South Bohemia, on the Vltava River, where the 16th annual World Fly-Fishing Championship in 1996 was held. The Vltava River, which could be called "the Czech national river", starts its way in the Sumava Mountain. The upper part of the river to Lipno Lake has a charming and wild character. Below Lipno Lake the river is much wider but during summer the river suffers from great amount of canoes that disturb fishing. The flow is regulated in the Lipno power station. The whole Vltava valley is in the region of historical medieval castles and towns. The most famous town is Cesky Krumlov, which is protected by UNESCO. Fishing regions with a salmonid regime practically reach down Cesky Krumlov and more downstream there are mostly non-salmonid regions. Further the river flows to the north via Prague to its confluence with the Labe River. After WFFC the Vltava River became more popular abroad and foreign anglers have often visited these places. The number of anglers increases every year and the press around this river seems to be high too.

In the Czech Republic there are many others interesting areas where fishing can be an exciting experience. Some of them are located in North Bohemia. We should mention the Ohre River, the biggest Czech river with a salmonid regime. The Ohre River below the Nechranice Dam is the Mecca of Czech spinning and fly-fishing anglers every year. The biggest Czech trout and graylings were almost caught here. The Ohre River, "The Mother of Czech Fly-fishing Rivers", is quite a demanding river. It is not so easy to be successful here for the first time.

A lot of anglers start their season traditionally on the Ohre River only. Its banks are quite crowded at 16th April. Sometimes the temperature can drop below zero and start snowing but every angler must celebrate the new season. Everybody looks forward to angling after a long winter. You always meet your old friends here and have a nice chat with them. And of course, as always, you can listen to the typical "fishing fairytales". When I visited the Yellowstone River bellow Yellowstone Lake in September I had the similar feelings like on the Ohre River at 16th April. The weather was same, the banks were crowded too, and only cutthroat trout can´t be caught on the Ohre River.

The Jizera River is another important river in North Bohemia. We mustn't forget the Horska Kamenice River, especially its canyon in the lower part not far from the confluence with the Jizera River. All these rivers are smaller than the Vltava River or the Ohre River and so that you hardly catch a "monster". But the wonderful landscape around the rivers makes up for this handicap. Fishing in the Jizera Valley with its sandstone rock formations and castles is always unforgettable. In the Horska Kamenice Canyon you hardly meet anyone. The trail from the bottom of the canyon to the romantic ruins of the Navarov Castle, which was built on the high rocks above the river, will remind you how wonderful nature's and life's eternity. If you like lake fishing, you should visit the Jizera Mountains. Black Nisa Lake is the best brookies lake in North Bohemia. It is a beautiful place, which atmosphere could be mistaken for a Scandinavian lake.

I hope that you will decide to visit the Czech Republic sometimes and you will spend wonderful holidays here.

Tight your lines!