Finally, the day has come! It is the opening day for trout in our region, and I have been preparing everthing in anticipation for several days now. And although I know that it does not make much sense, I have set my alarm clock early in the morning to be out on the river as soon as possible. Now, in the first light of day, I stand at the waters edge. It is very cold, the river ist steaming and the treetops are gleaming orange in the dawn. The ice is building up in my rod guides, my hands are cold, and no fish is biting – but I am happy!
When the water is still cold, trout are not feeding well, and you can spend hours without a bite. It is the same every year, my rites of spring, and I know I will not catch anything in the morning, but I still go. The entire morning passes with only a single strike, but the fish is not hooked well – and this again is very typical for the season start: The trout are biting very cautiously, sometime only grab the tail of the streamer and not the hook. Sometimes they are barely hooked and will not hold up to be landed, but that is spring. Not many takes, not many fish, but there is a chance to catch big ones! Those big fish are the ones which still need to eat occasionally, and they are in great condition usually, having been exposed to high water and strong current during the winter.
Around noon it gets warmer – at least in the sun, because the wind still ist very chilly. And a few followers raise my hopes, that some activity is finally evolving. Minutes later, I hook the first fish! It was a very subtle take, no fierce attack as in summer. It almost felt like touching the ground, but the following fight is fierce for sure! When the fish is in the net, I see that this one is also barely hooked, but this time it held up! The fish is just short of 20 inch, a perfect start into the season! The fishing gods have been good to me again, I am happy!
In the evening, I am lucky to even land a second strong fish. This one has a pattern like a leopard, its back is broad and the jaws look massive, a fish in excellent shape… what a day, what a start. The best time of the year has begun.
