There are places in the world that have a unique charm, locations that evoke emotions, conjure memories, and exude history—legendary spots that are immediately associated with significant events or particular situations. Monza for motorsport, Wimbledon for tennis, and so on. In the world of fishing, we also have our sacred temples: the River Test in England, the Sesia in Italy, the Gacka in Croatia, the Gallatin in Montana, and so forth. Personally, and not just for myself, I believe that the Drava River in Austria is undoubtedly a legendary and enchanting place for catching our favorite fish. It is a river that can be quite challenging, especially if you are not familiar with it. It can hand out disappointments and defeats even to the most experienced anglers, yet it can also grant magnificent and wild fish. In short, catching a fish here is doubly satisfying!
Drava – "The home of the grayling"
Since the 1970s, the stretch of the Drava between Eastern Tyrol and Carinthia has been a destination for many European anglers, particularly Italians. Among the pioneers of grayling fishing, my grandfather Francesco cast his flies in practically every reserve and tributary of the Drava, passing down to both my father and me a love for this river and its treasures.
The initial course of the Drava up to the town of Spittal and a bit beyond offers a perfect habitat for graylings. Unfortunately, in recent decades, it has undergone drastic changes, both from direct human intervention, with the construction of dams and embankments, and from increasingly pressing climate changes, leading to rising water levels due to glacial melt and violent floods caused by precipitation. Despite this, the Drava has maintained a good population of graylings, almost entirely consisting of adult fish of considerable size. It is indeed rare to catch small graylings, as they are a primary food source for the large hucho that inhabit this river.
Francesco Gargantini Sr. has been a regular visitor to the Austrian waters since the 1970s, and the clear waters of the Drava
The BIG FISH reserve
One thing that fascinates me about this river is definitely not knowing what size fish you might catch. For a size seeker like me, it is the ideal place to try to surpass the fateful threshold of 50 cm. Knowing the reserves I manage with my family, I can probe the depths and the best pools where I know the big fish hide. Like all Austrian rivers, the Drava is divided into private reserves, and fishing there always requires specific fishing permits. It’s best to inform yourself beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises, fines, or even legal issues. Various private stretches of the Drava are available to clients of the Aktiv Hotel and members of the Grayling Trophy Club. In these reserves, two I.G.F.A. world records for grayling have been caught, and I’m sure a third one will come soon!
The first part of the season ended with rising water levels due to the melting of snow and the Grossglockner glacier. Typically, good fishing occurs here from the opening on April 1 until around mid-May. Then, the river and the fish "rest" until September, after which they entertain us throughout the autumn. Fortunately, the spring was not very rainy, and the melt was contained, allowing for a successful spawning of the graylings, and we will soon see the results.
Grayling as big as carp
So "Few but Big"…
Grayling fishing record. Yes, we must start with the idea that any fish must be conquered. The Drava gives nothing away; every catch, from small graylings to huchos, must be "earned." The fishing strategy must focus on searching for fish, perhaps prioritizing quality over quantity. A careful selection of the patterns to use, concentration, and a lot of patience are prerequisites for success. Concentration is very important—feeling the nymphs carried by the current, knowing how to read the water, understanding the various situations that arise, and not losing the bites, which can sometimes be sporadic and almost imperceptible. Sometimes a simple nibble can reveal a big grayling that changes your day or even your life…
Depending on the season and the climatic conditions we find, we can approach the Drava with all the main variations of fly fishing. Nymph fishing certainly dominates, allowing us to maximize the potential of these waters in various situations. The modern nymphing techniques that have changed our fishing style are perfect for the Drava—Czech nymphing with 2 or 3 nymphs, nymphing with a line or nymphing with an indicator. A nice robust rod for #4 or #5 weight, at least 3 meters long, is ideal for tackling a river with an average flow of 25/30 cubic meters of water per second and for resisting the maneuvers and leaps of the big fish we are seeking. The patterns we usually use are tied on fairly large hooks, sizes 14 and 12, and sometimes even 10, depending on what we want to imitate and the period. The must-have nymphs are mayfly larvae tied with pheasant tail, stonefly imitations, and perdigones—all with tungsten beads or even tungsten bodies to probe the deeper holes near the gravel beds where the big fish hide.
In the presence of hatches and surface activity, even the most dedicated nymph fisherman can temporarily abandon "the dark side of fly fishing" and focus on dry fly fishing for rising fish, which can still yield great catches. Unlike dry fly fishing "in search," especially in the autumn period and particularly during the central hours of the day, we may encounter abundant hatches of Baetis mayflies and caddisflies. It is then up to us to find the most effective imitation to deceive the wild and often cunning graylings of the Drava. Here, the range of flies includes imitations of mayflies in both rooster hackle and CDC, parachutes of various sizes, emergers, spent, and so on. It’s essential to match the insect and the stage of hatching currently present in the water. Nothing is straightforward, so it’s clear that one must be equipped with a spirit of observation and patience.
Finally, there’s streamer fishing, which is confined solely to the winter months, in search of the king of the river, from November to January. When the water levels, forage fish, and temperatures drop drastically, one can attempt the fantastic experience of fishing for the hucho, which can reach record sizes here. For this dream fish, you need gear that can handle big fish—a classic 9' rod for 9# pike with intermediate lines and bulky streamer imitations of forage fish. Above all, an infinite dose of determination is the most important thing to possess. In the winter period, spinning is also allowed with lures of at least 15 cm in length and single hooks, always respecting the absolute catch and release rule that applies to all fish present in the reserve.
For information about fishing in the Drava and the Grayling Trophy Club, do not hesitate to contact me and check out the website: www.flyfishing-austria.com
The Grayling Trophy Club is the world's first fly club dedicated to the certification, fishing, and preservation of large graylings. The main purpose is to unite all enthusiasts of this fish into a community without borders, on Instagram and Facebook, but also, why not, in real life. It is certainly an opportunity to learn more about our favorite fish, discover new spots, and expand our knowledge by interacting with anglers from all over Europe and beyond. The club is based on the Drava River but is open to all grayling fishermen worldwide. At the end of October, the first edition of the Grayling Trophy will also take place, in collaboration with the IFTA. This event will gather anglers from various European countries who will compete amicably in a fly-tying and grayling fishing competition in the reserves of Aktiv Hotel Gargantini, on the rivers: Drava, Möll, and Gail. Stay tuned for more information.
Alberto Edoardo Gargantini
Teilen:
Autumn Graylings