Thud. This seemed to be the common theme- as I lugged my fiberglass rod once again through TSA, hitting most ceilings, as well as occasionally my better half, as we set out to Lake Como in mid June. It occurred to me that to the untrained eye, lugging a Redington Butterstick may seem to be a bizarre sight. After stuffing the rod in the overhead on the long haul flight to Munich, and clearing customs in the German airport, I was met with a familiar sight: about 15 people with fly rods similar to mine. I asked a passerby what was occurring and they kindly let me know that the World Fly Fishing Championships have just wrapped up and the participants were heading back to their respective countries after competing for a week or so. I found this to be a friendly and warm welcome, and that I may not be the only person traveling far to find some fish. We board our connecting flight to Milan and a short drive after to our beautiful villa on Lake Como, Italy- humbly reminded of the royalty and wealth that surrounds this beautiful lake. As a few days pass and some much needed meats, cheese, and wine were supped, I could not help but think about the fantastic fishing to be had in the headwaters of the river Adda. I had heard stories of big browns, grayling, and elusive marbled trout, and set out on a journey to land one. I left early one morning and drove an hour or two into the headwaters of the Adda river, surrounded by the Alps and silty-grey water, finally finding a tributary that was not blown out. I rig up, make it down to the water and find that it is closed to all fishing. The closed section of water was the only section that was not flowing high with snowmelt from the Alps. I struck out this time. After a long, hot morning, following the river and veering off course for what seemed to be the better half of an entire day, I sat down to have a local pint and some phenomenal pizza in an alpine town called Sondrio, and drove back with a hung head. That day pushed me to frustration and I found myself wanting to find better water. Another few days pass and that family and I loaded the car and took a drive to St. Moritz for the day. Gorgeous views as we passed phenomenal glacial water, as we made our way up to the highlands of Switzerland, winding past old villages, rubbernecking at the sights of waterfalls. We finally make it to the border and were met with mountain streams, as well as lake Sils. I wish I could dedicate a week to Lake Sils and the surrounding streams that were surrounded by Chamois and wildflowers. It was great to take it all in, however I had my sights set on the water that we passed as we made the climb up to the friendly Swiss town. After a great lunch of Fondue, Schnitzel, and a Stein, we loaded back into the car and started our descent back down to Lake Como. About an hour in, we pull the car over and I pop out to fish the Fiume Mera, another trib of Como. I find the confluence of a smaller tributary and the main river, and tie on a dry to no avail. After working the water for about an hour, I tie on ol’ reliable- pats rubber and a split case PMD nymph, under and indicator (the Euro guys can keep the tight line nymphing). First cast, hook into a small grayling that made a few jumps and popped off. Second cast in the pool, I hooked and landed a great looking brown. The brown pulled my fiberglass 5wt and took me for a ride, taking off downstream with a head full of steam- felt like a swung up steelhead. I landed the fish after a healthy fight, releasing it back into the chilly, snow-melt, Alpine water that it had graciously taken my fly in. I look back on this day and it reminds me of the endless pursuit of steelhead in our state of WA, the miles walked, and the river scouted, just for it to all come together when you least expect it.
Italian Browns
- Thread starter PescaOso
- Start date
Pink Nighty
Legend
Spent a christmas in Bellagio and was absolutely mesmerized by the clarity of Como. I could see schools of trout that must have been 20ft deep and 100ft away. So cool!
Nothing of size that you haven’t seen already! Typical 16in brown, couldn’t snipe a picture of any of the grayling, but will post a photo of me hooked on brown. Happier with the experience and catching browns on another continent primarily. The fish gave a great fight on the fiberglass. Great experience
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greenriver
Smolt
please tell us of fishing license requirements and costs on the waters you fished. thanks