The fact that we can build our own special flies makes every catch an uncomparable sense of achievement. Pike fishing often means for big and bulky flies (not a rule though)and it is not easy to get a good balance netween bulk, casting and effectiveness.

Finally we come back to the Blau. This chalk stream is our heart. We have been missing for several years and eventually we found the opportunity to pay a visit and check how things are doing here in the German flat land of the region Baden-Württenberg.

We arrive in the morning, park the car and get the first feel for the water from the bridge by the Golf course. A fly fishermen is stalking some rising fish. The spidernets on the bridge rails we see of olive dun mayflies and some translucent spinners.

Fly fishing the Tronto

After climbing down a steep path we reach the river. The feeling is astonishing, there is no perception to be in the middle of a city. It is all green and lush and gurgling water. It is around 5 PM of a hot day in the mid of July, the trout are in full activity.

Needle fly : Leuctra sp.

Strip it slowly, this fly has fantastic movements in the water. Always fish it on a steel trace and use a thick leader.

When fishing requires a small nymph with that bit of extra weight is required the Double Bead Nymph is the right choice.

The mytical pattern of Frank Sawyer is an all round great nymph. Here a re-mix with two wool sorts and a tweak to reduce snags.

The Gackiña is tied to work in the 'Limbo' between the submerged water column and the emerged world.