Despite its relative lack of elevation (at
1,000meter above sea), the river enjoys plenty
of fresh water even in the middle of the
summer. The riverbed was free of algae and
wading was very easy. In late Spring the
river can be flooded with snow melt, but
except that season, fishing can be enjoyed
thoughout the year, they say.
We often end up missing good places just
around us. This river that we finally come
to know is definitely worth a visit, and
in fact more than one. If we have a fortune
to come around here another time, I'd like
to challenge the trophy brown that almost
took my fly in that deep pool.
- Back
Most fish in the river had a soft spot for
Elkhair caddis - probably they're used to
chasing the caddis during the happy hours
of the summer evenings.
We had a great day, with 3 rainbows around
35cm, and though only up to 30cm, we managed
to catch some pretty brownies too.
June '05
Loisach, situated right on the border of
Germany, is one river that we had known of
since long ago, but had ended up just passing
by for no reasons.
Only a couple kms away from the main road, we found a little but lively
town of Lermoos. Down the hill and in the middle of the grass fields, a
village of Ehrwald can be sighted. With the blue sky as its backdrop, the
rugged peaks of Sonnenspitze, 2,412m a.s. can be admired. What a grand
setting!
The middle section of the river runs thru
a forest of castania trees. None are alike
in its posture, with their moss-covered trunks
telling age-old stories. As we looked up,
the blue sky seen through the green canopy
seemed like a stained glass masterpiece.
Further upstream, the bank was sandwiched by steep cliffs on the both sides.
The river was snaking about in this section, offering fishy runs and pools
here and there. Checking out each one of them is a time-consuming fun exercise.
At times we could spot rather big fish, around
40cms and some even more. With an accuracy
cast and a delicate mending, now, the moment
of truth is only inches away - and what shall
we do with this cheeky little youngster snatching
up my offering right in front of that trophy
fish!?
Up from the border for half a mile or so,
the area was rather flat, with the river
gently flowing on the bottom of the spacious
valley.
As they can see us coming as well as we see
them, we had to exercise a bit of caution
in the approach. Spot the fish and give it
a long cast. Make sure of a few feet of natural
drift, and let's see if the fish is convinced!?
The water was crystal clear and we could
see occasional shadows darting around.
As the water was relatively calm, we tied
15ft rather long leader & tippet and
a small elk hair caddis on its end. As the
fly floated down bouncing off the riffles,
a fish took it!
The fish jumped clear out of the water, and its vigorous fight took me
by surprise. It was a rainbow, small but full of stamina.
The beat starts right at the border.
With the little map given at the hotel's reception, we walked down the
airy pine forest, enjoying the chirping of the birds.
And sure enough, there we saw a sign post,
indicating the international border right
in the middle of the stream.
Guests on the Austrian side can fish from
here 15kms upstream, even to the spring where
the river originates.
