Vltava below Lipno Dam | Fly Fishing | CzechNymph.com

Country: Czech Republic

District: South Bohemia

Type: River

Location size
River: 20 km

Distance from
Prague: 180 km
Ceske Budejovice: 40 km
Linz: 80 km

South Bohemia Fishing Union
www.crscb.cz

The construction of the Lipno Reservoir in 1958 created a unique and excellent secondary trout river near the town of Vyšší Brod in the southern Czech Republic. Thanks to the regular stocking of all salmonid species and the high amount of nutrients, the Vltava River below Lipno is world-renown among international fly fishers.

According to many, this is the best fishery in the Czech Republic, set in the beautiful countryside of South Bohemia.

How to get there

The fishery is easily accessible by car from the road that connects Český Krumlov and Vyšší Brod. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive from Prague to Rožmberk nad Vltavou.

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The Vltava between Vyssi Brod and Rozmberk

The most interesting and well-stocked section is the approximately 20 km stretch from Vyšší Brod downstream to Rožmberk. Here, below an old castle, the Vltava changes its course and makes an almost 180 degree turn towards the heart of the country.

Steep sections with numerous pools alternate with slower flats that the river has carved out of the soft muddy alluvium. The river can reach 20 meters wide and 2 meters deep, depending on the amount of water passing through the Lipno hydroelectric turbines.

Species

The following species can be caught on a fly rod: brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, perch, grayling, whitefish and pike.

How To Fish

During the spring months with high water, it is preferable to fish with a heavy nymph – imitations of gammarus, jigs and goldhead type flies – or streamers (black lures or classic muddler minnows).

With the onset of autumn, dry flies are preferred, particularly in the afternoon when trout and whitefish actively take insects such as mayflies from the surface. During these periods, dry flies such as olive dun, red quill and march brown are effective, usually in sizes from 16 to 12. Flies imitating emerging and emergent caddis flies in a wide range of colors and sizes are effective year-round.

Equipment

We recommend an AFTMA 7-8 rod 290 cm long for streamer fishing and a fast sinking line. Choose an AFTMA 5 rod 290-310 cm long for nymphing; and an AFTMA 4-5 rod 275 cm long for dry fly fishing.

Since the river can be difficult to wade, high waders are a must. Be careful of numerous boulders in the river bed.

Practical Info

The fishing season lasts from April 16th to the end of November. The beginning of the season is generally negatively influenced by high water levels. Wading tends to be very difficult and even dangerous, so a wading stick is recommended. Spring fishing peaks in the evening or even noontime hatches of caddis around the middle of June.

During July and August, the huge number of rafters and canoeists makes fishing possible only early in the morning or at twilight. The height of the season is at the end of September through October, when water levels are lower and the fish start to feed intensively before the onset of winter.

Accommodation can be found in Vyšší Brod, at the Lipno dam, or in the town of Rožemberk.

South Bohemia Fishing Union (fishing rules, licences and other fishery info)
www.crscb.cz
Cesky Krumlov (a romantic town on the Vltava River you should not miss)
www.ckrumlov.info