The stillwater trout fishing season is in full swing, and that's why I once again approached our CzechNymph ambassadors to see if they would tell me their TOP stillwater flies, without which they wouldn't go to the water. Of course, they were very willing to share them with me, so I wrote this article for you, in which you will also get to know them.
Fishing for salmonid fish on still waters is - as you already know from my previous articles and galleries - my great passion and I practically (except for alternative fly-fishing approaches on coarse waters) catch only them. I like to combine different fishing techniques depending on the current conditions, so I'm not completely able to say one single stillwater fly/fishing tactic, but if I had to put it the other way around, I can definitely say that I try to avoid classic lure fishing + today's modern static fishing methods . On the contrary, I really like to catch smaller flies, which I subtly bring to life with slow figure eights on a floating or hover line. Traditional wet flies, nymphs such as PTN, HE, Diawl Bachs and buzzers are therefore absolutely TOP stillwater flies for me. In cases where fish are not active near the surface or in the water column, my other preferred tactic is to fish with a fast sinking line and a single booby nymph on a shorter leader close to the bottom. Otherwise - when the fish are very active just below the surface I really like fishing with Shuttlecocks or fishing with a "laundry line" with 2 small nymphs placed between the floating line and a small end Booby nymph. Among my favorite stillwaters are the trout leveling reservoirs under larger dams, and private small waters with stocked rainbow trout and brook trout.
🎣 VOJTA UNGR - Booby Nymphs (KJ Fenton Cat Booby)
Lately, I like fishing on the still waters with Booby Nymphs. Maybe also because not so many people do it and it is a very successful fishing tactic. Of course, it depends on the right conditions and the angler must first locate where the fish are moving. I prefer to fish with Boobies in very clear weather or in high winds, when the fish are often near the bottom. I fish mostly with a Hanák Competition Stillwater 796 rod and a sinking line with V sinking rate. Most often I fish with three Boobies tied on fluorocarbon with a diameter of 0.18 mm. I often put the first Booby only 50 cm from the line so that it is really as close to the bottom as possible. After casting, I hold the line firmly in my left hand and let the flies fall for 10 - 20 seconds depending on the depth. I hold the line tight because there is often a strike when the line descends with the Boobies. And also because you can feel the gentle pull of the descending line, which once it passes, the line is at the bottom and does not descend any further. After that, I usually pull the flies with a system of three shorter and medium-fast pulls of 10 - 15 cm, followed by a pause of 3 - 5 seconds. When paused, the Boobies move towards the surface and undulate beautifully. Most of the fish strikes come during the break. It is important to never move with a rod, but only to pull the line. The advantage of fishing with bobbins is the fact that you convert most of the shots and the fish sit on the hook. For bobbins, I most often combine the three basic colors of tails and eyes - black, yellow and orange.
Favorite stillwater: I like to fish at Polička and Květoňov, in spring and autumn. Květoňov is interesting mainly because fish survive the winter here, adapt to local conditions and it is not always easy to catch them. A person is all the more happy when he figures out how to do them.
🎣 TONDA PLESKAČ - Woolly Bugger (Roza's Black & Green Streamer B/L)
This black and green Woolly Bugger is an indispensable fly for me that I can always rely on. It works great on both freshly stocked and older and wild fish. Fish see it as a big, easy bite. I like to use it with a slow intermediate line and a light lead weight so it sinks well. However, it can be used on any line, depending on the depth where the fish are. It pays to pull faster with this fly - long and fast pulls are ideal as the fly works beautifully in the water.
Favorite stillwater: I have tried and tested not only this fly on the Květonov pond, which is located near Kaplice in Southern Bohemia. It is a union water that is characterized by great depth, so you really have to look for fish. The pond is stocked regularly, so there are plenty of fish. You don't only have to catch newly planted fish on Blobs and various attractors, but you can also catch midges and wet flies here. That's what makes the Květoňov magical and I recommend everyone to make a fishing expedition right there.
🎣 MICHAL RYPL - Chironomids & Buzzers (Black Traffic Light Buzzer B/L)
One of my favorite and most effective techniques for catching salmonids is using midges/buzzers. Buzzers, tiny insects that hatch year-round, are a staple and natural food for trout and grayling. Choosing the right equipment is important for successful buzzer fishing. I use a fly rod with floating line, hover polyleader with a long 0.18 mm fluorocarbon tippet. Fishing buzzers requires patience and precision. Fish eat buzzers with great gullibility, so it is important to always be on the lookout. The strikes are usually vigorous, and when using a weaker leader, there is a risk of its tearing and the loss of the fish immediately after the shot.
Favorite stillwater: Labska reservoir in Špindlerův Mlýn is for me one of the most beautiful trout areas in the Czech Republic. It is home to brown trout and grayling, which find ideal conditions for life here. Fishing on the Labska reservoir in Špindlerův Mlýn is an unforgettable experience for every angler, and with the fly selection from CzechNymph you are one step closer to fish from this stillwater.
🎣 SAM PIEKAR - Wet Fly Kate McLaren (Kate McLaren)
When I was given the task of choosing one of my favorite stillwater flies, my choice was absolutely clear. I consider the black woolly bugger with an orange head to be probably my most favorite lake pattern, but my friend Tonda choose this type of fly (we'll deal with that later :-) )! So I decided to go a little different way and present to you my favorite wet fly pattern. Wet flies on the still water are a bit neglected here, but it is a very good technique when the fish are near the surface and already know all kinds of brightly colored lures and attractors (Blobs, Eggs, etc.). I consider Kate McLaren - classic Scottish pattern to be a very universal and indispensable pattern, which was originally invented for fishing local brown trout. However, it is also very effective here, for domesticated rainbow trout. I use wet flies most often in combination with floating and intermediate line, but they can also be used in combination with lures. So when I'm putting together a wet fly leader, in most cases the Kate McLaren must not be missing, together with a lightly weighted fly at the end (wet fly with a bead, midge, light mini lures etc.). I would recommend all tyers to tie this pattern in sizes 10 and 12. You can make the fly even more attractive by tying the head from red holographic tinsel, or you can use a light red metallic bead.
Favorite stillwater: Of course, I have a lot of favorite still waters, but during the last two years I have taken a liking to "Boží voda in Liběchov". It is a smaller reservoir where rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout are stocked. I liked this water mainly because of the possibility of fly fishing, outside of the trout season. In addition, the area is within driving distance of Prague. During the winter, I don't just have to sit at the vise, but I can also go to the water. The surrounding background is also good.
🎣 VLASTÍK OTAVA - Montana (KJ Krystal Black Cat Taddy TH)
One of my favorite stillwater pattern is definitely a lure called Montana. Not only was it my first stillwater fly that I tied myself, but I caught my first rainbow trout on it. I like it the most because you always catch fish on it! There is beauty in simplicity! Sometimes you experiment on fish, try new patterns, new techniques, but when nothing works, I put on my Montana and a fish always goes wrong. Most often I use it at the end of the leader and two more colorful lures above it as an attractor.
Favorite stillwater: I'm mainly a river fly fisherman, but sometimes I like to go, for example, to the Květonov and Malče reservoirs here in Southern Bohemia.
🎣 PAVEL ADAMOVSKÝ - Damsel Nymphs (Hot Head Damsel Orange)
My all-purpose fly for fishing in England is olive damsel nymph. Whatever tactics the local fishing lodge recommends for the day, I usually start surveying fish activity with a damsel nymph. Actually, I don't even know why, I just trust this fly and I always catch a fish on it. I always start fishing with an intermediate line, when there is a hook nymph at the end of the leader and on the dropper either another damsel nymph or other proven patterns - midge, Bibio, Diawl Bach, etc. I fish on the damsel as long as nothing on it takes long or I feel that a different method will be more successful or a colleague in the boat catches more fish in a different way. My favorite damsel nymph is not a 100% natural imitation, because it has a fluo orange head, which I like to replace with other head colors (blue or metallic green). I have no idea how successful this fly is on home waters, because I haven't caught much on Czech still waters in recent years.
Favorite stillwater: My favorite areas are the English ones: Rutland Water, Pitsford Water and or Grafham Water.
