On March 25-26, I managed to hit the Gradac River just before the heavy rains arrived. The water was crystal clear and at a perfect level — a rare window of opportunity to scout the sectors for the upcoming Serbian Fly Fishing Championship.
The Gear Setup:
For this session, I used a specialized 10.2ft #2-3 nymphing rod. My rig was built strictly according to competition standards: I used a 0.55mm diameter nymphing line. Attached to it was a leader twice the length of the rod, which consisted of 0.3mm fluorocarbon, a RIO two-tone indicator, and a 0.12mm fluorocarbon tippet. In such crystal-clear water, this ultra-thin line and precise configuration were essential for minimizing drag and achieving a natural drift. I fished exclusively with a single fly.
Reading the River:
The entomology was fascinating. Large caddis larvae and mayfly nymphs were active on the bottom. Around noon, as the water warmed, a hatch of small Olive Mayflies (#18) began, followed by occasional large light-brown caddis (#12). Most active fish were holding at the heads and mid-sections of the runs.
The Fly Box Mystery:
While I spent much of the time testing new patterns, the results were mixed. Surprisingly, my “experimental” flies stayed quiet, but my modified classics — GRHE and Pheasant Tail — saved the day. I’ve made some specific adjustments to the dubbing and weight of these patterns that local trout simply couldn’t resist.
As for the “secret weapons” and the new streamer pattern I’m preparing for the Championship… well, a sportsman never reveals his winning flies before the final whistle! I will share the details right after the event. Stay tuned.
Results:
30 fish in two days, including two beautiful graylings over 30cm and six trout exceeding 35cm. The Gradac never ceases to amaze.
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