Opening the Season in Austria
My friend Exequiel Bustos from Mendoza, Argentina, just returned from conducting classes on the Codihue in northern Patagonia. The water was low, and the big fish could be seen holding in the very clear, shallow flows. A number of them broke off, but Exequiel managed to land some very nice rainbows on small nymphs. Of course such emails always get my juices flowing, and next week I will start my 2015 season in Austria, near Gmunden, on the river Traun and others.
I’m currently at bit west of Munich at the EWF Show, the largest fly fishing only show in Europe, and just finished judging their fly tying contest. There were a number of very fine entries this year in the Realistic, Streamer, and Dry Fly categories. Tomorrow I will hold two casting clinics, and then give fly tying demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. Additionally I will give casting demonstrations both days. The theme this 10th anniversary year is The History of Fly Fishing. So, my casting demos will focus on shooting line—the single characteristic that distinguishes modern fly casting and fly fishing. I will cover the Single Shoot, the Double Shoot, the Triple Shoot, and Line Management. That’s a lot for ½ hour because everything is translated into German. Never a dull moment.
Exequiel with one of the big rainbows that didn’t break off in the fast waters of the Codihue
Magnifying glasses and a hand held magnifier were essential to accurately judge every characteristics of the flies. Photo by Rudy van Duijenhover.