The fox always gets the cream?

Moving swiftly and silently into March, hearts begin to beat faster. Finally, winter has given it?s best and although may show it?s ugly face again for a day or two, spring nudges it?s way into the land bringing warmer, more gentle climates.
Most rivers, streams and brooks are now open for business with the remainder opening in April.
Time to put those flies and nymphs to the test that have been waiting through the winter for a snippet of day light and moisture on the wings. It?s all down hill from here?Right full rudder, reverse starboard engine?Rig ship for impact.

Spring is here and I have a plan so cunning, you could put a hat on it and call it a weasel?
That?s right folk?s, this is what hardcore SWFF?ers have been waiting for. Spring, salt and sea trout.

Denmark has a reputation of holding one of the world?s most admired and sought-after salmonids, the sea run brown trout. Since the 1980?s, it?s populations have increased dramatically and all due to the laborious efforts of local fishing clubs and members and the Fyns Amt Sea Trout Project located on Fyn. The foresighted stocking of the species in most water courses and coastal areas around Denmark has ensured great numbers of brownies, many of which will definitely have the urge to go down to the sea, live there for various lengths of time, then return to their native river to spawn. Because they feed heavily in the well stocked larder of the salt, they grow rapidly, and because they range the great open spaces of the seas, they become strong, swift and sure of themselves. They are at their peak, with extra attitude and confidence, all wrapped up in the bright silver coat that is the badge of the sea and more or less - Denmark.
Sea run brown trout are great fighters, and in most places they can reach great sizes. It is known to come up with specimens in the 15 to 16 pound class especially in the rivers and up to the 15 pound class in the salt. These sea run species are distributed enough to accommodate good fly fishing in many places. They are real fighters, packing a special sailor's punch to quench any thirst.

So, what?s been going on in the land so small, you could of sneezed it and sold it to Science?
Plenty. The shores of south eastern Jutland from the German border up to Horsens have seen results. Gr?nninghoved and the area north up to Kolding Fjord has been exceptional recently with catches averaging 49cm on small shrimp patterns tied on hooks 8 to 12. It seems the smaller patterns are the sea trout?s preferences.
Stenderup and the entire south coast of Kolding Fjord is very good fishing, especially the area around to N?rreskov with the deep water close to shore.

The west coast of Fyn has seen good results with several sea trout topping the 50cm bracket. Wedellsborg is improving a great deal especially on the south side of the peninsula right up to the SW corner at the reef. Most fish are slightly tinted, dull and thin indicating descending spawning fish so careful handling is required when you release your fish. Leave them to fight another day and replenish that lost weight.
The northern shores of Fyn have been fair especially around the Gabet point. Odense Fjord bringing in some good sea trout as the trout return from spawning, and down south around Falster / Langeland and up to Heln?s has seen sea trout in the 1kg / 2.2lb bracket.
The area around Assens and south has been very good with catches from up to 2kg / 4.4lb.
The key areas still being well into the Fjords and brackish water due to the cool temperatures. But blue skies and sunny days have seen the fish roaming further and out into the coastline as the temperature slowly rises.
It only gets better from here as the sea trout reach peak condition in April, May and June.
Cod, Garfish and a few other species also return to our shorelines during spring bringing the added bonus of something ?fat? on the line. It?s common at times to catch Cod & Garfish on every cast and the hopes of landing a sea trout becomes difficult. But, remember ? The fox always gets the cream! (Stupid saying that ).

Parts of Denmark where sprinkled with a light covering of snow this week still keeping the air temperatures a bit on the chilly side and the wedding tackle the size of a peanut. Sure enough, all this will be long gone soon and the peanut will grow.

March 1st, signals the opening of many rivers, streams and brooks with the remaining opening the beginning of April 1st. Most water courses south of Varde river will open April 1st rather than March 1st.
Geez, so much water and so many fish to stalk, hunt and cast over. Cabin fever has been cured, for now, and time to let loose those home-made nymphs and flies and hope the peanuts ripen with the sound of a screaming reel.

Enuff said?


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Ripley Davenport
Distant Streams Guide Service
http://www.distantstreams.com