Cold waters, warm graylings

Unfortunately, in the waters I frequent here in Lower Austria, the fishing season has not been the best. I think the amount of rain we had last season is impossible to replicate. The larger rivers, such as the Drava and the Gail, have been particularly affected. The Möll has held up well and has provided many beautiful catches, in fact even better than in previous years, especially regarding graylings!

After a troubled spring due to the pandemic and a 'diluted' summer, autumn has finally arrived—the magical time for grayling fishing. This autumn has been characterized by quite unstable and, above all, cold weather, let’s say a wintery autumn... Already towards the beginning of November, there was a drastic drop in water temperature. Usually, when this happens, for a few days, the fish seem to be blocked, or rather, they seem to disappear, only to suddenly start feeding again even more than before. We're talking about rivers that generally have very cold waters, rarely exceeding 10 degrees Celsius. For example, the Drava and the Möll are rivers primarily fed by glaciers, so they have consistently cool waters even in summer. The Möll is even cooler, especially in the section where I fish, as the water there is even colder but consistent because it’s a tailwater, literally meaning water released from the tail end. There’s a dam upstream with an artificial lake, and the water flows from the bottom of the lake. This ensures that the water temperature is always constant and cold—excellent for both the fish and the benthic fauna that live in the Möll’s bed.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING

Over the years, I’ve noticed that when the water temperature drops below 5 degrees, the fish completely change their feeding behavior. You might find them concentrated in certain spots of the river, usually the smaller ones disappear, also because the pressure from predators, such as big fish and birds, becomes increasingly intense. The fact remains that this is the magical moment to try to catch a few BIG ones. A combination of factors marks the beginning of this short favorable time for catching big graylings before the fishing season closes for spawning on December 31.

I don't know about you, but I love these fishing situations. Of course, it's not easy; you need to fish with the right flies, in the right spots, and know how to capitalize on every bite. We can't afford to make mistakes when we might see only three or four bites in half a day. Therefore, maximum concentration and top-notch gear are essential—nothing can be left to chance; just one nibble can save our day.

In these fishing situations where sensitivity is crucial, especially when fishing with very small nymphs, I opt for a lighter setup. Naturally, I adjust based on the size of the fish; I don’t like to drag out a fight unnecessarily, nor am I one to do unnecessary piercings to graylings and the like. So I always try to find the right balance between fun, sportsmanship, and efficiency. I prefer a rod with a soft parabolic action but also with a strong backbone that can handle a nice fish, along with a very sensitive tip that allows me to feel the nymph I’m using. I must say that Sandro Soldarini’s Hydropsyche is fantastic for this type of fishing—a rod that has brought me a lot of joy and one I always trust, even when the fish on the other end of the line do what they want. Essentially, if you lose a fish with the Hydropsyche, it’s either your mistake or you’re not using the right hook.