Austria Day 3
Today was one of those days that only increases one’s distrust of the weatherman. Supposedly it was going to be medium overcast with a few scattered showers. Not. It was heavy overcast and rain, rain, rain. The fish were not as active as I had supposed (and hoped) they might be—they knew what was coming, and we didn’t. So, I had a rainy fishing day—as in all day. Fortunately I was able to find an overhang on a woodcutter’s cabin to stay dry while I ate lunch, and later in the day, a bridge which I could stand under to dry my hands and warm up a bit.
The fishing was so, so, as one might suspect. I did manage three fish of 41-42 cm (16 to 16 ½ inches), and a couple of smaller ones of about 25 cm (10 inches). It still amazes me that a 16-inch fish in the Ager fights as hard as a 20 inch fish in most other streams. I’m also amazed at the excellent body condition of these fish—small heads and wide, deep bodies. At about 4:30 pm, a small hatch of dark mayflies emerged. The fish fed sporadically, but I was able to get several on the dry by just sticking with it. All in all, not a bad day, especially since I had plenty of warm clothes to change into after a nice hot shower.
I particularly liked this photo for the rings out in front of the fish’s snout.
Notice the body shape of this 42 cm fish–tiny head, robust body. The fish in the Ager are in prime condition.