Rainbow trout - Ahrex Hooks

Czech Nymph Fishing: A Timeless Fly Fishing Technique

Czech nymph fishing has become a staple in fly fishing. The technique originated in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Balkan countries. This method involves using long rods, extended leaders, multiple dropper flies, and heavy nymphs. The flies are fished by casting upstream, using only the leader, and allowing the flies to drift naturally with the current. This approach lets the flies sink quickly to the bottom without being dragged upward by the current pulling the line and leader. Anglers keep the rod tip downstream, carefully tracking the leader, and strike at any unusual movement — a tug, tension, or lift — often resulting in a hooked fish.

This technique offers an exciting way to fish, though it has its detractors. Some argue it’s not “true” fly fishing since it involves minimal casting and little use of the fly line. Nonetheless, Czech nymphing is highly effective when fish aren’t feeding on the surface or when fishing fast-flowing waters with deep holes and eddies.

By Håkan Karsnäser

The Foampuppa Grandis

Unlike mayflies and stoneflies, the caddisflies undergoes a “complete development”. The former develop from nymph to finished insect immediately, while the caddis leaves the larval stage as a pupa, which seeks to the surface or crawls on something to hatch into a finished caddis. All stages of the development are important for the fly tyer to imitate, but the pupa is in many cases the most desirable and easily accessible to the fish.

By Håkan Karsnäser

Mayflies

Ephemera Danica and Ephemera Vulgata

During late spring and early summer, the largest mayflies in our waters, Ephemera danica and Ephemera vulgata, emerge. In English, they are known as mayflies, a term that has become synonymous with all mayfly species, even those that do not hatch during this period. For many fly fishers, a newly emerged mayfly epitomizes fly fishing itself, and it’s easy to understand the fascination with these insects.

Wigdell’s CDC Spent

Simple and effective dry fly:

Dry fly fishing in Denmark is not quite as gloomy an experience as some rumours make it out to be. There are both beautiful trout and fine streams to be found out there for the seeking fly fisherman. Stuff some simple and effective CDC flies into the box and get ready to extend your season with the fly rod.

By Peter Lyngby

(this artickle has been published in the danish magazine “Sportsfiskeren”)

Hökensås: A Haven for Fishing Enthusiasts

The Gray Sky and the Magic of Rainbow Trout Fishing in Hökensås

The sky is gray, and the car’s thermometer shows a few degrees above freezing. Today, an extra fleece sweater is essential to ward off the damp chill. As I round the bay and cross the small bridge over the lake’s inlet, a vivid blue streak shoots past and out over the water. The small blue kingfisher that often makes an appearance here in late autumn didn’t appreciate my company and quickly disappeared to the far side.

By Håkan Karsnäser

A floating treat

XL size caddisflies whet the appetite and curiosity of many trout. Even when insects are sparse on the surface, a stripped Grandis can be a winner on the river or trout lake. Here, renowned Swedish fly tyer Håkan Karsnäser explains how to tie his popular dry fly treat.

By Peter Lyngby

(this artickle has been published in the danish magazine “Sportsfiskeren” and the online magazine “In The Loop Magazine

Essentials

Photo: Matt Guymon / Freestone Rivers Photography.

If you’re fly fishing for trout and grayling, you won’t get far without a good imitation of both mayflies and caddis. In the books and online there are literally hundreds of specific patterns and styles to choose from. Some of them we’ve featured here on the blog and some on our YouTube-channel, but I don’t think we’ve ever touched on the X-Caddis and the Sparkle Dun.

Daddy Long Legs

“Wake me up when September ends” is a song by Green Day, but if you happen to sleep through September, you’re missing out. Septembervej is a great month for a lot of reasons. But one of them is the Daddy Long Legs. They are busy right now, because it’s getting late for them to mate and lay their eggs. Much like mayflies, they don’t live for long after they emerge from the pupa, although a mayfly would think they live forever. Some mayflies live for just hours, Daddy Long Legs for up to two weeks.

Burned Wings

It’s the middle of August and some of us (myself at least) are looking forward to cooler weather and autumn fishing. Autumn is by far my favourite time of year and has plenty to offer in terms of fishing. One thing that some tend to overlook is the fact that hatches of both may flies and caddis can pick up a little and offer some surface action. At this exact time, I’d concentrate my effort in the evenings and early night. Just as sea trout, big browns like big flies fished just under the surface (just letting you know).

Small flies, big hooks

Sometimes we are asked if more hook models are needed, as we already have a justifiable number in our range. The answer to the question is both no and yes. No, because the hooks we have already developed cover the vast majority of situations that we fly fishermen can be exposed to. But the question can also be answered with yes, as new fly models are constantly appearing, but also ways to tie the flies on the hook.

Håkan Karsnäser has written this blog about the subject “small flies, big hooks”