SEA TROUT FYN - ANGLING MAGAZINE 2016

THE SEA TROUT’S SILVER JUBILEE AUTUMN ON DREJØ SEASONS FOR THE SALTWATER ANGLER IN PURSUIT OF A SPRING BONANZA SEA TROUT STRATEGY SUMMER FISHING AND SUNSHINE TROUT

SEA TROUT FYN

WWW.SEATROUT.DK

2016

.06 .10 .14 .18 .24 .25 .31 .34 .37 .40 .41 .42 .43 .44 .45 .49 .50 .51

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2016

CONTENT OVERVIEW 06. SEA TROUT FYN: THE SEA TROUT’S SILVER JUBILEE 14. AUTUMN ON DREJØ 18. GUIDESERVICE

24. TACKLE SHOPS ON FYN

26. STRONG COLLABORATION PRODUCES MORE SEA TROUT 32. SEASONS FOR THE SALTWATER ANGLER 38. IN PURSUIT OF A SPRING BONANZA 44. SEA TROUT STRATEGY

47. CAMPSITES AND ACCOMODATION

49. SUMMER FISHING AND SUNSHINE TROUT 54. CONTACT INFORMATION 55. MAP OF FYN

WELCOME TO FYN www.seatrout.dk

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SEA TROUT FYN: FYN’S 300 SEA TROUT PROJECTS AND A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

By Knud Søndergård, Chair of Sea Trout Fyn

FOREWORD:

2015 was the year when Sea Trout Fyn and Fyn’s saltwater anglers were able to look back on 25 years of purposeful, collaborative effort for the benefit of our Fyn sea trout. Since Fyn County embarked on an ambitious environmental project in 1990 with improvements to Fyn’s streams and sea trout stocks, Fyn, Ærø and Langeland have joined forces with the goal of working to improve the environment; virtually non-existent saltwater fishing has today been elevated to a level of renown among anglers throughout northern Europe. If you have been fishing along the coast or in the rivers all that time, you will know how colossal that difference is.

Sea Trout Fyn’s core product is Fyn’s sea trout, and targeted improvements of its habitats. We expend approximately 9/10 of our annual resources on facilitating and supporting restoration projects for Fyn’s sea trout streams, and stocking Fyn’s streams with Fyn smolts. We know that the sea trout do not arrive courtesy of the stork but via carefully prioritised efforts, especially restoration work to improve the sea trout’s spawning grounds, habitats and its access to and from these spawning sites. Sea Trout Fyn supports a project of this type every single month, all year round, year after year. That is why the number of streams restored for the sea trout now exceeds 300!

2015 was also the year when all ten mayors on Fyn approved a clearly focused new strategy for Sea Trout Fyn, which I and the Sea Trout Fyn steering group will be implementing over the next five years.

The strategy continues to focus unambiguously and ambitiously on improving the sea trout’s living conditions, as well as on recreational and commercial opportunities for the people of Fyn derived from our healthy stocks of sea trout.

This year, Sea Trout Fyn’s 1.5 FTE office staff administered the ongoing sea trout projects of

Fyn’s ten municipalities on Fyn, Ærø and Langeland respectively. We prepared and distributed our annual Sea Trout fishing magazine and produced a new edition of Sea Trout Fyn’s own book, the best-selling 117 Fine Fishing Spots, printed and published in three languages with a print run of 10,000 copies for Fyn’s saltwater anglers. A comprehensive new web platform for saltwater anglers saw the light of day at www.seatrout.dk. New fishing videos were recorded on Fyn, new accommodation options that cater specially for anglers were certified, we island folk celebrated Sea Trout Day, and a number of press tours for foreign journalists were organised. During 2015, Sea Trout Fyn has reached out to more than 1 million anglers – through printed, foreign editions of the fishing magazines alone.

All this adds up to servicing Fyn’s great saltwater fishing for sea trout, also appreciated by sea trout anglers who make the journey to Fyn. The fact that like-minded anglers travel to Fyn and the isles and also help out with our work with the fish and the environment generates a considerable additional turnover of at least DKK 50–58 million per year and as many as 38 full-time jobs. That fact bears witness to how far we have come, and the tremendous potential that lies ahead. Above all, it bears witness to how worthwhile all our efforts are.

It serves as evidence to us saltwater anglers and our politicians that Sea Trout Fyn is a profitable business – for the environment, for Fyn’s streams and sea trout, for the local economy and for us local saltwater anglers. The future of sea trout fishing depends on our having long-term and ambitious goals, and on all of us cherishing the unofficial national fish (of Fyn).

TIGHT LINES IN FYN’S SEA TROUT WATERS – SEE YOU OUT THERE!

Publisher: Havørred Fyn Print run: 50.000 Web: www.SeaTrout.dk Layout: www.salarmedia.dk Print: Clemens Grafisk Translation: Interpen Translation Cover photo by Jonas Høholt Photos by Havørred Fyn, Christian Eriksen, Martin Jensen, Jacob Sørensen (www.bluedotmedia. dk), Jan Kamman, Robert Weijman, Jesper Andersen, Kim K. Sørensen, Niklas Albrechtsen, Nicklas E. Sørensen, Terkel B. Christensen, Jonas Høholt,

Kasper Wellendorph, René Gerken, Thomas Matzen, Søren Knabe, Vandpleje Fyn, Fyns Laksefisk Elsesminde, Flemming Miller, Omar Gade, Forlaget Salar (www.wideopen. dk), Mauro Barbacci (www. maurobarbacci.com) Frederik Lorentzen.

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SEA TROUT FYN: THE SEA TROUT’S SILVER JUBILEE Since 1990, on Fyn, Ærø and Langeland, we have been working together through Sea Trout Fyn to produce healthy, self-reproducing stocks of Fyn sea trout. The sea trout certainly does not come courtesy of the stork, but by making long-term, lasting improvements to the watery habitats. We have just completed restoration project no. 300 in Fyn’s streams. The result is more sea trout, improved angling, local jobs and an additional boost to turnover.

Text: M. Jensen. Photos: Sea Trout Fyn

Common goals and shared fish

Sea Trout Fyn is no novice – and we certainly do not work with quick fixes. Healthy, large stocks of sea trout do not appear overnight – or from one year to the next. Healthy, large stocks of sea trout are the result of long-term strategic cooperation, informed efforts and politicians who insist on achieving positive local outcomes for the general public, nature and commerce.

Fyn has long been renowned for having many superb trout streams. Likewise, for a long time, Fyn used to have a reputation of not having trout in quite a lot of those streams. That is no longer the case: today, there are lots of sea trout in the streams. We decided to bring about a change, proactively and together.

The ten municipalities on Fyn, Ærø and Langeland jointly own Sea Trout Fyn, and their ten mayors jointly set the direction for its development. That direction has always been to create a versatile habitat with good fishing of Fyn’s sea trout, for the enjoyment and benefit of anglers and related businesses.

300 restorations projects

The municipalities involved in Sea Trout Fyn work together to undertake restoration projects in Fyn’s streams, which zigzag across islands and municipal boundaries and out towards the sea. When the municipalities have to prioritise which initiatives to pursue in which streams, the method is very simple for Sea Trout Fyn: The stream projects are placed in a hierarchy and prioritised according to their potential for improving the habitat of the sea trout. It’s as simple as that. Projects that benefit sea trout the most are undertaken first. Furthermore, Sea Trout Fyn exclusively undertakes sea trout projects where the landowners in question voluntarily wish to participate in the partnership to promote future-proof sea trout stocks.

The small stream Kobberbækken, near Svendborg, offers some qualified spawning grounds for the local sea trout. However, these days the lower sections of the watercourse are channelized in concrete tubes, which halts the trout from a successful migration upstream. At Sea Trout Fyn we can support a further examination, of whether it is possible to open up this vast section of watercourse, and – if so – donate a serious grant to the execution of this task.

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As mentioned, Sea Trout Fyn has now been in existence for 25 years. That is a total of 300 months.

During that time, Sea Trout Fyn has subsidised 300 restoration projects for Fyn’s streams. In other words, every month, all year round, sea trout-promoting improvements are being carried out on Fyn, Ærø and Langeland. This could, for example, be the removal of an unnatural barrier by a mill pond, creating a natural diversion channel by a dam, reinstating spawning grounds, reinstating the natural curves of a straightened stream, or releasing a culverted ‘stream’, opening it up to nature again, etc. All things that enable the sea trout to migrate to and from its spawning sites – and ensure that suitable spawning sites exist upstream.

Every little helps...

Every year without fail, the Sea Trout Fyn municipalities designate 10–15 such initiatives on the islands. Sea Trout Fyn provides financial support for 80% of the costs to whichever of the municipalities will be restoring the stream. That means the municipalities can pool their shared resources so they are able to afford major – and very significant – restoration projects in the streams. Thus, an individual municipality in Sea Trout Fyn can obtain a financial subsidy for 80% of its ‘own’ project, which might otherwise never have come to fruition purely because that municipality alone could not afford to fund it. As part of a joint project, though, it is affordable. This practice is a decisive strength of the Sea Trout Fyn partnership.

Local anglers are essential

Everyone pulls together: One of Sea Trout Fyn’s permanent collaboration partners, the Vandpleje Fyn partnership, includes almost all of Fyn’s fishing clubs under The Danish Sports Fishing Association.

Thus, Vandpleje Fyn numbers no fewer than 2,800 anglers. All the Vandpleje Fyn clubs work towards a common goal: to improve the habitats for fish in local streams. One specific, decisive initiative in that regard is the great work being done with electro-fishing of breeding fish every autumn. Sea Trout Fyn’s other major collaboration partner, the land-based Fyns Laksefisk hatchery in Odense, cannot perform this task on its own. Each year, approximately 800 breeding fish have to be electrofished on 27 stretches of stream within a few weeks, which means long working days for employees, apprentices and production school trainees at Fyns Laksefisk, and the 25 electro-fishers and 50 helpers who do their bit for Vandpleje Fyn. It is a massive project, and it is absolutely crucial to ensuring that Fyn’s fishing stays as healthy as it is today. As wild fish, the large breeding fish become the parents of a new generation of smolts, which are stocked in the streams their parents hail from (and, incidentally, where they are gently released again after being stripped of eggs or sperm).

Tangible results

Fyn has the pleasure of hosting many local anglers all year round for good, stable saltwater fishing for sea trout. In fact, the fishing is so good that many also travel to Fyn, Ærø and Langeland to experience it.

Some travel from Jutland and Zealand, others from Germany, the Netherlands or Belgium. Thus, we share car parks and fishing spots when it comes to seeking out the sea trout along 1,100 kilometres of Fyn coastlines.

www.seatrout.dk

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READ MORE ABOUT SEA TROUT FYN AT WWW.SEATROUT.DK Speaking about visiting anglers, Sea Trout Fyn Director of Projects Jan H. Kjeldsen says: “Visitors coming to Fyn, Ærø and Langeland to fish for sea trout come here in spring and autumn, the peak seasons for sea trout fishing. These are the declining seasons as far as the tourism industry is concerned, when establishments offering accommodation have plenty of space. So, these visitors extend the season for businesses; they stay locally and spend almost half as much again in a day as non-fishing visitors.

So they are by no means insignificant to the related businesses.”

Accordingly, Sea Trout Fyn can be said to stand on three pillars, each of which supports the others. These pillars are three different initiatives which, together, generate specific results. These initiatives are: • To improve conditions for the sea trout in the streams • To raise and stock sea trout smolts in the streams • Tourism and servicing of/marketing to visiting anglers The sum total of these initiatives has produced good stocks of local sea trout and attractive angling for sea trout along the coasts. The recreational value of sea trout generates local activity and additional turnover, as can be seen from the creation of local jobs, for example.

following key figures (2013): • 38 FTEs created • Local annual additional turnover of at least DKK 50–58 million.

• At least 55,000 overnight stays per year by tourists visiting to fish for sea trout These key figures also indicate that the ten municipalities’ joint investment in Sea Trout Fyn of DKK 4 million per year generates tax revenue that approximately offsets the investment. In other words, Fyn’s municipalities get their money back.

All the rest of the turnover and the benefit from the project (i.e. most of it) boosts private enterprise on Fyn, which makes proactive use of the potential created by Sea Trout Fyn. Thus, money can be made from fishing tackle, guided tours, accommodation, related services, etc., all connected with the many activities and the consumption derived from anglers fishing for sea trout.

Today’s healthy stocks of Fyn sea trout are a source of pride for us all – especially considering that these results have been generated from a stock of sea trout that, just one generation ago, was almost non-existent.

The next time your spinning or fly-fishing rod bends for a Fyn sea trout, spare a thought for the volunteer anglers, trainees, enthusiasts and politicians who, together, have brought our national fish of Fyn back to its former glory.

External evaluations of Sea Trout Fyn show the

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www.seatrout.dk

FISHING SPOTS FOR EVERYONE’S

BENEFIT!

Information is the key to success.

That is certainly the reality for us sea trout anglers out on Fyn’s varied coastal spots. But fishing spots can sometimes show their harsh side, too – so it can be rather difficult to keep track of things just by looking.

Where do the conservation zones actually begin and end? With that in mind, Sea Trout Fyn has chosen to set up new information displays in the vast majority of parking areas at fishing spots.

Examples of what you can see on the displays – each specially made for its particular fishing spot:

A description of the special features of the fishing spot (trilingual texts: Danish, English and German)

A map of the fishing spot in question, showing one or more attractive fishing stretches, depth contour lines, etc.

Clear labelling to show prohibitions on fishing, conservation zones, wildlife and bird sanctuaries, etc.

Designated, approved parking areas, toilets and other information

Minimum sizes and closed season for fish species

Links to the www.seatrout.dk website and fishing licences online The displays have been put up in

www.seatrout.dk

response to requests from many sea trout anglers for information at the individual fishing spots. With that in mind, over the past year, Sea Trout Fyn has been working hard on the signage project, culminating in the erection of A3-format displays at the fishing spots. The information on the displays is harmonised with Sea Trout Fyn’s other sources of information for the benefit of sea trout anglers and others who enjoy the Great Outdoors. Accordingly, you can now find reliable, up-todate information about sea trout fishing ‘on location’, in our new fishing guide book 117 Fine Fishing Spots and, of course, on the interactive map at www.seatrout.dk.

This way, we can all work together to take better care of our natural surroundings and sea trout.

THE PROJECT IS FUNDED 50% BY THE FISKERI-LAG FYN FOUNDATION.

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Fredericia & Middelfart The Silver Coast along Lillebælt

Photo: Bered Masselink

Slipways, boat hire and “the good catch” Lillebælt (The Little Belt) near Middelfart and Fredericia has got it all. Because of the good sea trout catches in this northern part of Lillebælt, anglers have dubbed the area the “Silver Coast”. The record catch from Lillebælt was a 13 kg sea trout! Along the coast is a series of absolute gems when it comes to angling spots, with good fishing all year round. If you fancy venturing into deeper waters, there are good slipways for your boat, and you will find tackle shops and plenty of options for hiring different types and sizes of boats, including at Vestfyns MarineCenter.

Accommodation with everything an angler needs The varied accommodation options near Lillebælt makes it a good starting point for the perfect angling holiday. Stay in large properties, lovely lodges or your own luxury apartment, all by the water’s edge, of course, and with cleaning, cold-storage and drying facilities.

You can be sure of finding a sheltered spot by Lillebælt Despite its name, Lillebælt is big on angling. Anglers of all ages can join in – all year round. The narrow channel means it is always possible to find a sheltered spot – whether angling from the coast or from the angling cutters.

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Angle from a cutter and book a local guide who knows the area Sail out on the angling cutters Medicus, Marianne, Mira3 or Neptun.

It only takes 10-20 Minutes to reach the best angling spots! Book local guide Kurt Østergaard so you can be sure of finding the fish and getting some useful tips along the way. For more information about boat hire, angling trips and the up-to-date current high water chart for the area near the Lillebælt bridges, visit www.visit-middelfart.com Cod, plaice and garfish In recent years, from February to May, a number of cod weighing in at up to 10 kg have been caught. At other times of year, cod have been caught at weights of up to approximately 5 kg. Lillebælt boasts Denmark’s record for plaice – 3.7 kg – and from August to November it is not unusual to catch plaice of record sizes and in record numbers.

From November to April, large shoals of herring migrate into Lillebælt, while May and September are the peak season for fastmoving garfish.

Lillebælt – the starting point for your best-ever angling holiday.

www.seatrout.dk

Trelde Næs

Spacious holiday houses directly by the waterfront Easy to reach - hard to leave

Nice cabins with private toilet and shower, with free access to the best angling grounds at Trelde Næs.

Fish cleaning facilities and freezing facilities free of charge.

Trelde Næsvej 297 · DK-7000 Fredericia Tel. +45 7595 7183 · trelde@mycamp.dk · www.mycamp.dk

Great location by the forest and sea in Middelfart.

Direct access to good fishing grounds by Fænø Sund.

Possibility to clean and freeze fish.

Fænø Park - Oddevejen 8 - DK-5500 Middelfart Tel. +45 6340 1906 - Reception@fnpark.dk - www.fænøpark.dk

Feriepartner Feriepartner MOB MOB offers offers aa large large selection selection of of holiday holiday homes homes close to the best fishing spots near Middelfart.

Our angler-friendly close to the best fishing spots near Middelfart. Our angler-friendly holiday holiday homes homes are are equiped equiped with with fish fish cleaning cleaning facilities facilities and and freezer. freezer.

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FREDERICIA MIDDELFART

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VisitMiddelfart – Havnegade 6 DK-5500 Middelfart – Tel.: +45 8832 5959 mail@visitmiddelfart.dk - www.visit-middelfart.com VisitFredericia - Prinsessegade 27 DK-7000 Fredericia - Tel.: +45 7211 3511 turisme@fredericia.dk - www.visitfredericia.com

WELCOME TO L I L L E B Æ LT

Angel 365 days a year!

At Lillebælt you can fish 365 days a year because you can always find a spot sheltered from the wind.

The different fishing places where you can catch sea trout, codfish and flatfish throughout the year, and during the season - mackerel, garfish and herring are a short distance from each other.

At Lillebælt there are fjords, bays and coves with lower water, lesser current and reefs but also many places along the coast with very deep water right next to the shore which makes it possible to catch fish you would normally need a boat to get.

You can read more about the excellent fishing opportunities at Lillebælt at www.visit-lillebaelt.com. The website offers maps and descriptions of fishing spots and addresses of accommodation, eating places, fishing gear sellers etc.

Enjoy nature, the presence of other anglers and nature users - and take good care of Lillebælt as we do.

Tight lines!

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AUTUMN ON DREJØ The sea trout are sensational in September, and they can be found everywhere and nowhere...

Drejø is located at the heart of everything, between the isles, cliffs and sea trout of south Fyn. There are coastlines suitable for most types of trout fishing here.

The island is also located far enough from the better-known

Due to a work commitment they can’t get out of, my fishing pals ruefully have to delay sailing to Drejø until the afternoon ferry. I, for my part, catch one of the earliest ferry departures from Svendborg. With a bit of luck, I’ll have the island to myself for 4–5 hours before the others arrive. So I can be the first angler at the fishing spots that I can reach on foot. I might even manage to earn some ‘bragging rights’ – if I can find and catch sea trout before my delayed pals arrive.

Kirkestranden

The weather forecast is promising 6–8 m/s southwesterly winds, a little sunshine, drifting clouds with just one

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fishing spots that a trip to Drejø feels like something of a sea trout expedition.

Tekst: Martin Jensen Photo: Terkel Christensen

‘The island at the centre of the world’

My calendar says “Day off! – Sea trout trip to Drejø with the lads”.

Pleasant reading for a Friday morning! Of course, it’s not really a surprise, and all my gear has been inspected and packed days in advance. Awaiting us out there are a couple of days of exciting new

shower; the water is 12 C and the ambient temperature is 15 C. This is brilliant weather for September fishing and September anglers. That is why I have already got changed and rigged my rods by the time the ferry reaches the most easterly end of the island. I am on foot, and ten minutes later I am standing in the water by Kirkestranden, 1 kilometre southwest of the ferry berth.

The weather forecast is keeping its promises, and I am fishing in a gentle onshore wind in waves that are half a metre high, breaking over large boulders, mermaid’s fishing line and bladder wrack in the innermost

coasts, autumnal weather, and south Fyn’s September trout.

The isle is situated equidistantly and not far from Fyn, Ærø and Tåsinge, giving rise to its rather fitting pet name, ‘the island at the centre of the world’. For a sea trout angler, that nickname also means Drejø is situated right at the heart of the sea trout’s world. Just try looking at Drejø’s location on the sea trout map at Sea Trout Fyn (www.seatrout.dk) – Drejø is right in the middle of the autumn migration routes. September on Drejø should cause your rod to bend.

trough. I am pleasantly surprised to find the coastal waters offer very good visibility, even if the wind is a bit strong. The seabed along most of the southwestern coasts of the island plunges rapidly towards deep waters.

That is why the southwestern coast can tolerate rather stronger winds than many other typical Fyn sea trout spots, many of which are flat and shallow – making them sensitive to the wind so that in blustery weather they quickly come to resemble coffee with cream.

The conditions appear perfect for sea trout fishing. But there are no sea trout! Three hours have gone by and

I have now covered the stretch twice.

I have tried flies and spoons on the end of the line, but it has not made any difference. I take comfort in the fact that September’s trout can be unpredictable and move along the coastlines a lot. They must be just over there behind the point, I hope optimistically. I should have moved to a different spot – an hour ago. I receive a short text message from my delayed pals. It reads: “On the ferry now. Where are you? Status?” I reply, shamefaced: “South of the church. 0 fish”. “Annoying. OK – see you in an hour”, the reply comes back.

Out of sheer stubbornness, I use the time I have before they get here to fish that section again. In the meantime, something has happened at the fishing spot, even though conditions are unchanged. Three excellent sea trout are hammering hard on a 22-gram copper-colour ‘nail’, a few metres from land. 20 minutes later – in a completely different mood from before – I am able to text a cocky update: “Hattrick! Three fish of around half a metre. Enjoying the ferry?” The reply is instant: “Bastard! See you.”

A welcome help

We are all on foot on the island and we are staying at a house in the middle of Drejø By. We have not brought a car, as our idea was to fish all the way around the island on foot. That might have been a bit too ambitious, though. After all, Drejø boasts a total of 16 kilometres of sea trout preserves. When it is dark and we have just sat down to a late supper, there is a loud rumbling sound outside the house. Shortly after, our landlord pops his head round the kitchen door and says: “It’s a long walk to Næbbesodde. I’m guessing that’s where you want to go tomorrow? I’ve parked the tractor out here. Just take it. When you go home, park it down by the ferry berth and I’ll just go and get it when I need it myself.” Naturally, we are blown away by his thoughtfulness.

To be thinking like that, he must have encountered either sea trout or sea trout anglers before! We quickly invite him in for some supper. He takes a look at Terkel’s casserole, which Anders is tucking into, and answers politely, “No thanks, guys… I’ve just eaten. But tight lines tomorrow – and good luck with that...”, nodding at the casserole.

Næbbesodde

From the tractor, which we have parked by Skoven, it is only a few hundred metres’ walk to the coast at the most westerly point of the island. It’s 06:20 and dawn is just breaking. The many early-bird sand martins of the cliffs sail elegantly around in the onshore wind. Weather conditions are exactly like yesterday at Kirkestranden – perfect. We are instinctively drawn to the reef on the spit, and it is tempting to start fishing there immediately. On the other hand, I know that a little self-discipline can produce good results – if used to cover the deep trough with the strong current that directs both the water and the bait towards the spit. I say to myself, “OK – I will cover that trough really quickly – then it’s done – and after that I can concentrate on the reef of the spit.” I am not able to say so much as another word to myself before Terkel shouts: “Hey, there are the fish!” Obviously, he has had the same idea as me, and his rod arches down into the trough in front of him. I follow suit and, before he has managed to land a superb golden fish measuring just under half a metre, a smaller sea trout has gulped my fly, too – a dependable little ‘Kobberbasse’ (Copper Bully).

Conditions by Næbbesodde are much like Kirkestranden near Søndersø, although perhaps slightly more wild and rocky. The waves are strong, but the water is clear. The sea trout are every bit as cheerful as we are. During the next hour, we each catch 3–4 fish and have even more contacts. No matter where we fish on this 500-metre section, we encounter hunting sea trout. As the time approaches 8 o’clock, it’s over.

Completely over. It doesn’t really matter. The day started with a bang.

We meet up with our two pals 700 metres northeast of the spit. They have been fishing obsessively for two hours in a small area of eelgrass.

They have caught six sea trout, the largest measuring 57 cm. They are well satisfied, but they are unable to wrest any more out of that little fishing spot. It is time to start the tractor again.

Knappen

The tractor splutters to a halt and falls silent down by the ferry berth.

We have been back to Kirkestranden again, without success. We are on our

way towards Knappen. We get off the tractor and head purposefully north along the water of the island’s east coast. Here, it is 2.5 kilometres to the most northerly point on Drejø, which is very tempting because of its gravel seabed, weak current and bladder wrack.

The stretch of coast up towards Knappen is very different from the section we fished in the morning.

Here, the water is crotch-deep for the first 100–200 metres out, sheltered from today’s wind, spread out and sparse sections with eelgrass and mermaid’s fishing line floating about on the surface here and there.

The rest is sand – and more sand.

That does not seem particularly appealing, bearing in mind the morning’s excellent fishing. But OK, it’s possible…

September sea trout are unpredictable. With that in mind, it is hard for us to walk along the coast, directly past the superb, highly concentrated dark bands of eelgrass running parallel to the coast towards the north. We manage to get a few hundred metres further along the coast. Then we can no longer resist the temptation. We spread out and enter the water.

The fishing is straightforward and effective: as a team, we proceed, with 30 metres between us, towards the first band of eelgrass. A few metres from the band, we all cast at least 2–3 times up along the eelgrass, as far as the man in front.

If there is no response to either flies or coastal wobblers, we all wade in a line through the band, and 15 metres further out to the next band of eelgrass. We do not dignify the sand between the bands with a cast. We manage to do this a couple of times before Lars shouts “Fish!” It was as we had hoped, and the sea trout were hunting in the third band. They were closely concentrated precisely above the 2–3-metre-wide band of eelgrass.

Not one metre to the right or left of the band, but just above and all the way along the length of the band. Ten intensive minutes later, it’s all over.

Either we caught the four sea trout that were out hunting, or we might have frightened the rest of them over the sandy sections and further up and down the dark sea trout highways of the coast. When we try the same thing again further up the coast, the manoeuvre is not as successful.

Neither does it work the time after that.

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We never got as far as Knappen. And what did it matter?

It was a good thing that we managed to do some fishing on our way up there – otherwise we would have missed out on some superb September fishing with a fleeting concentration of sea trout.

When the ferry from Svendborg emerges behind the eastern spit of Skarø, it’s definitely all over. We slink

back to the ferry berth and pull off our waders before the ferry docks. On our way back towards Svendborg, Lars points resolutely from the ferry towards Skarø and says, “February or March! Who’s in?” Terkel responds by pointing in the opposite direction towards Hjortø and saying, “September? There’s just enough sea trout coast there for a whole day and a couple of guys!”

Næbbesodde: The most westerly point of Drejø, with clear, deep waters. It is always possible to find a good stretch for a couple of hours’ sea trout fishing here, whatever the wind and weather. We found sea trout on both sides of the spit.

Kirkestranden: Slightly southwest of the ferry berth, near Søndersø, Drejø has at least a kilometre of first-rate sea trout coastline down from the church and the lake. In the opposite direction – just north of the ferry berth – dark bands of eelgrass lead northward, up towards Knappen, the northernmost fishing spot on the island. In the middle of the island, you can see the town, Drejø By, and the majority of fishing spots can be reached from there.

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www.seatrout.dk

DREJØ

Area: 4.3 km2 Length: 5 km / width: 2 km Length of coastline: 16 km Population: 70 Accommodation: Several options via Drejø Beboerforening (islanders’ association) at www.drejo.dk or at the basic campsite, a few hundred metres from the ferry berth.

Ferry: M/S Højstene from Svendborg

Havn harbour. The route proceeds via Skarø and the journey takes approximately 75 minutes.

Tip: It is only 3 kilometres from Drejø to Skarø, further north. Once you have bought your ferry ticket, it is easy to visit both islands. A day’s fishing on each island, opens up the possibility of a mini-sea trout expedition to new (and often deserted) coasts.

September fish from the morning at Næbbesodde. The sea trout’s choice of bait is colossal in September. Nevertheless, this fish chose to take an anonymous little greyish-brown fly on a Size 8 hook, which looked rather like a piece of floor fluff!

The Næbbesodde Express, kindly loaned to us by our host. What the tractor did not have in top speed, it made up for in style – so we were able to reach the coast with aplomb. Next time, we must remember to bring a Vac-Rac (fishing rod rack for vehicles).

www.seatrout.dk

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BOOK THE BEST SEA TROUT ANGLERS

“WE KNOW THESE COASTLINES”

OF THE

ISLES

FISHING GUIDES ON FYN, LANGELAND AND ÆRØ

Turbo-charge your fishing for sea trout: Sea Trout Fyn is 1,100 km of sea trout coast distributed across 90 islands – and the key to successful fishing is knowing precisely where, when and how to fish.

You can meet a professional fishing guide with local, up-to-date knowledge of the coastlines, who will make a world of difference to you and your fishing.

René Gerken

Niklas Albrechtsen

My name is Niklas is René Gerken. one of just a Originally few people from Jutland, I in Denmark moved to Fyn certified by seven years The Danish ago. Almost Sports Fishing all my life, I’ve fished for trout, pike, Association, and that is your salmon and sea trout, in saltwater guarantee of high quality and, not and fresh water. I graduated from least, essential knowledge about Dalum Landbrugsskole college fishing. Niklas is also a guide with of agriculture as an agricultural Go-Fishing, Denmark Fishing and technician specialising in nature Outdoor Lodge on Fyn. and the environment, and then Niklas has almost 30 years’ I trained at Sportsfiskeakademi experience of sea-trout fishing, and through this as well as his day-to(the Swedish angling academy) in Forshaga as a professional guide. day work for Go-Fishing, he has a I am certified as an International great deal of contact with anglers, Federation of Fly Fishers Master so he has his finger on the pulse Casting Instructor (MCI) for of where the fishing is ‘hot’ right single-handed fly casting and a now. On the day, Niklas will give Two-Handed Casting Instructor you a lot of information about good (THCI), and as an instructor for fishing spots, teach you to read the Loop Tackle Sweden. So I run a lot coast as well as how to catch more of casting courses and demos for fish along the coast, and, not least, individual anglers, anglers’ clubs what bait to use in order to achieve and shops in Denmark. When I’m success. not busy guiding or teaching, you Niklas will help you plan your can find me in the Ækvator Sport fishing during your stay, taking due shop in Odense.I am interested in account of weather conditions and everything to do with fly fishing, and other important factors that might because of that I’ve also served as affect it. a guide in countries such as Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Argentina and Iceland. In 2012, I began running Lakseskolen (the salmon college) in Mandal, Norway, and I am a tour guide at several destinations – for example Punta Allen in Mexico and PRICES: Lainio, Sweden, for Atlantik Travel.

1/2 DAY (4 HOURS): DKK 2,000 I very much enjoy helping other 1/1 DAY (8 HOURS): DKK 3,000 people to become more proficient fly casters or helping them to have a successful day by the water’s edge. www.seatrout.dk 18

Kasper Røjsmose

Kasper is truly smitten with angling – and does just about every kind imaginable.

But saltwater fishing for sea trout is his great passion. He has been fishing the coasts of Fyn for more than 25 years, so if anyone knows how to go about it, he does.

He is skilled at tying flies and is also associated with Loop Tackle as an Academy Member.

If you would like to take a guided tour with a skilled angler who knows what he’s talking about and doesn’t leave anything to chance, book a day with Kasper.

MEET US AT WWW.SEATROUT.DK

The secret to fishing on Ærø Island?

There is no secret! Just 80 kilometres of easy acces shore ...

FISHING ON AN ISLAND WILL MAKE YOU HOOKED FOR LIFE!

ÆRØ - SECOND TO NONE To plan your fishing trip, simply go to

www.visitaeroe.dk/fishing

or contact Ærø Tourist information on +45 6252 2300 / post@arre.dk

EL INS Ø ÆR

Holiday homes are a real catch!

We offer a selection of holiday homes - well suited for anglers. www.novasol.dk • www.dansommer.dk Østergade 63 B • DK - 5900 Rudkøbing Tel. +45 3914 3026 e-mail. fyn@novasol.com

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FYN’S BEST

FISHING SPOTS

AN ANGLER’S PARADISE ALL YEAR ROUND!

•ASSENS •SVENDBORG •NYBORG

NEED SOME HELP?:

Get in touch with the local tourist information office for further information about accommodation options that cater specially for anglers, e.g. with regard to coldstorage capacity, facilities for cleaning fish and drying waders. We will also help you to find the local tackle shops and guides who know the Archipelago like the back of their hand. We can also tell you about fishing regulations, buying fishing licences, etc. We hope you will get a terrific catch and thoroughly enjoy being close to nature!

The variety it offers is the best thing of all. The many reefs, the open, rocky coasts and the troughs in the sea bed where the sea trout move in and out with the ebb and flow of the tide.

The islands and bays of the Archipelago are outstanding. Often, you can wander around here in solitude for days and at best you meet one of the locals, who is only too pleased to tell you about the spots where you can catch fish. Whatever the wind direction and wind strength, you will find yourself within walking distance of a coast where you can go fishing.

There’s no shortage of islands: Baagø, Drejø, Skarø, Skansen, Helnæs and Tåsinge, to name but a few of the larger ones. You can reach them by ferry, across a causeway or bridge, and they are perfect for a day trip. No matter which village or island you choose as the starting point on your quest for sea trout, there’s good fishing throughout the Archipelago.

Assens Turistkontor Tobaksgaarden 7 5610 Assens Tlf.: (+45) 2337 8466 info@visitassens.dk www.visitassens.dk

VisitSvendborg Havnepladsen 2 5700 Svendborg Tlf. (+45)6223 6952 turist@svendborg.dk www.visitsvendborg.dk

Terkel Broe Christensen

Read more about these brilliant fishing spots and see their locations on the pages that follow under Assens, Svendborg and Nyborg.

Bureauet Nyborg - Visit Nyborg Torvet 2B 5800 Nyborg Tel. (+45) 6333 8090 visitnyborg@nyborg.dk www.visitnyborg.dk

We wish you tight lines and great experiences www.seatrout.dk

WEST FYN, ”ASSENS” With stretches of coastline spanning approximately 80 kilometres, Mother Nature has been particularly kind to West Fyn, and there are lots of unique fishing spots here. Anglers regard the waterways of West Fyn as a paradise offering ample opportunity for sea trout fishing. The short distances let you switch angling spots quickly and easily when there’s a change in the weather. It is not far from Torø to Helnæs Bugten bay in the south. For as long as there have been anglers on Fyn, sea trout have been caught close to Helnæs Fyr lighthouse. Helnæs is well worth a visit at any time of year, and large sea trout can often be found here.

Helnæs Bugten bay – Spot X

A little foretaste of what you can expect:

“Swish. Swish. He calmly draws his fishing rod back.

A flip of the wrist sends the fly 28 metres out across the sea. He moves his feet. Experienced, he covers almost 2 kilometres of coast per hour. Yesterday, he was in Munich.

Last weekend, he was chatting with a friend who recommended Helnæs Sea Trout Spot. – You’ll have space. You’ll have elbow room.

There are large trout. It’s a green oasis. Varied bottom conditions. Sand. Rocks. Always a cove where the wind really comes in. It’s beautiful. It’s like coming home. People understand you.

They smile with you – they don’t laugh at you. You’ll meet experts – if you want. There are always good fishing waters to be found.”

Accommodation options with facilities for anglers

There are lots of options for accommodation offering excellent facilities for anglers, to suit all tastes and budgets.

Certified Sea Trout Fyn accommodation: Denmark Fishing & Outdoor Lodge www.denmarkfishinglodge.com Skovkrogens B&B - www.skovkrogen.com Kallehavegaard Bed & Breakfast Elmegaarden - www.elme-gaarden.dk Bjørnsdal - www.skovvangsgaard.dk

New guide book - Helnæs Sea Trout Guide The book can be obtained at Assens Tourist Information office.

LøgismoseStrand Camping www.logismosestrand.dk

Denmark Fishing & Outdoor Lodge

Helnæs is the location of Denmark’s Fishing And Outdoor Lodge – a ‘beacon’ of fishing tourism with unique facilities, expertise, hospitality and flexibility as far as time is concerned. This is a world-class venue offering a perfect mix for anglers; there is nothing like it anywhere else in Denmark. Find more information at: www.denmarkfishinglodge.com

www.seatrout.dk

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SVENDBORG - CAPITAL OF THE ARCHIPELAGO Svendborg is the largest town of south Fyn, centrally located for the South Fyn Archipelago.

The capital of the south of Fyn gives you the facilities of a city with shopping, events and activities in an unrivalled package with Svendborg Sound and the Archipelago right on your doorstep.

Svendborg Harbour is the gateway to many of the isles in the Archipelago. With ferries, yachts and old wooden ships, Svendborg has a lively harbour buzzing with activity and entertainment all year round.

The South Fyn Archipelago

Svendborg is surrounded by the many small islands of the South Fyn Archipelago, where, you don’t need to worry about the wind direction, as you can quickly cover the very short distance to the other side of the island.

You have to sail to the small islands, but you can drive to Thurø and Tåsinge. It may be advisable to take a bicycle along on your fishing trip so you can cycle along the coast to find the best fishing spot.

You can also hire a guide from fiskekurser.dk to accompany you on your trip and give you useful tips about the fishing spots, as well as some helpful instruction as you go along.

Accommodation

Many of south Fyn’s accommodation establishments are located less than 500 metres from the beach, so you are right by the water’s edge day and night. Many of these establishments cater specially for anglers.

Contact VisitSvendborg at turist@svendborg.dk for more information about the individual accommodation establishments and for some inspiration on where to stay in south Fyn.

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Unique scenery

The landscape of south Fyn offers a full-on sensory experience of nature. Take your fishing rod with you and proceed along the coast on foot on the Archipelago Trail, or cycle along the winding lanes of south Fyn. You are never far from the coast and potential fishing spots.

Spending the night under the stars can be part of this full-on experience of nature, too.

Visit bookenshelter.dk to view your options for spending the night out in the open.

www.seatrout.dk

EAST FYN AND NYBORG The Great Belt coast is virtually one long, unique fishing spot. The many rivers and streams have helped to ensure natural stocks of magnificent, large sea trout. You will find many specific fishing spots south and north of Nyborg.

Certified accommodation

South of Nyborg you will find Kongshøj Camping campsite and Kulinariske Kildegaarden Bed & Breakfast. Both are certified accommodation establishments, so you can be sure conditions are right for you and your tackle. Both establishments make sure you are able to concentrate on your reason for coming to Fyn – to fish for sea trout!

www.kildegaardenbb.dk - +45 60 79 74 68 www.kongshoj.dk-camp.dk - +45 65 37 12 88 Optionally, Kulinariske Kildegaarden will even provide you with a packed lunch for your fishing trip, prepare your supper, and even cook the sea trout you have just caught in the Great Belt! You can’t get fresher than that!

Certified sea trout guide

If you want to make your fishing expedition even more exciting, book Mads, who is a certified fishing guide. Mads lives in Nyborg and goes fishing at these fishing spots and the rest of the coast of Fyn time and again. He knows the many coves and bays that create this amazing fishing paradise, and he will take you along to the best fishing spots, where he will share his knowledge of tackle, etc., with precisely your fishing trip in mind.

Book a package deal

Phone VisitNyborg on +45 6333 8090 to find out more about just how much east Fyn has to offer in your quest for large, wild sea trout in the Great Belt and all around Fyn. We will be only too pleased to help put together a fishing holiday focused on the sea trout especially for you. We do this by working with our certified partners – your guarantee of quality. www.visitnyborg.dk

www.visitnyborg.dk/fyn/lystfiskeri-paa-oestfyn +45 26 80 45 95

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TAC K L E SHOPS ON FYN USEFUL ADVICE AND

Fyn boasts a number of extremely good fishing tackle shops which can give you the exact equipment and advice you need to complete your

GOOD

angling trip on Fyn. These shops can be found throughout Fyn, from Mesinge in the north to Svendborg in the south.

TACKLE

MICHAELS JAGT & FISKERI • In business for more than 30 years • Our staff have over 150 years combined experience of fishing and hunting • A wide range of hunting gear, fishing tackle and outdoor equipment • 1000 m2 shop • Let us make your hunting and fishing dreams come true!

Porthusvej 127 • 5700 Svendborg Tlf.: +45 62 21 11 53 • info@michaelsjagt.dk

WWW.MICHAELSJAGT.DK

GO-FISHING • Everyone in the shop is crazy about fishing!

• Together, they have more than 275 years’ experience of angling • They have their finger on the pulse and know what’s going on out there • Attractive new premises just two minutes from motorway junction 51 • The coffee pot is always on.

Dalumvej 67 • 5250 Odense SV Tlf.: +45 66 12 15 00 • mail@go-fishing.dk

WWW.GO-FISHING.DK

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JAN OG BO’S LYSTFISKERSHOP

Denmark’s largest fishing tackle chain, in the heart of Odense. See more at www.janogbo.dk or on Facebook. The staff you’ll meet in the shop are hardcore sea-trout anglers using both fly-fishing and spinning rod methods. We consider it an honour to guide you to a Funen sea trout.

Note: we always have live worms and bristle worms in stock.

For fly-fishing, you’ll find a selection from Guideline, G. Loomis, Waterworks, Danielson, Einarsson and Future. We fit your fly line in the shop for free.

A large outdoor department carrying Fjällräven clothing for men and women.

Waders/wading jackets in all sizes. We carry a huge selection by Simms, Guideline, Scierra and Geoff Anderson.

Korkers Wading boots

NDATORY PURCHASE YOUR MA FISHING PERMIT

What do sea trout bite on? It depends on the season and the angling spot, but we have a massive selection of the best baits and a wide range of handmade lures, wobblers and flies.

Vesterbro 2 • 5000 Odense C Tlf.: +45 6611 2366 • www.janogbo.dk odense@janogbo.dk

ÆKVATOR SPORT At the Ækvator Sport it’s all about you and your fishing.

We are a specialist shop out of the ordinary. Our specialty is fishing tackle and how to get the most out of your fishing.

We stand ready with lots of fishing tackle and tips and ideas to use it.

Our more than 60 years as specialty shop gives you the reassurance that we know what we are talking about.

Nyborgvej 3, 5000 Odense C Tlf. (+45) 66 112 993 fiskegrej@aekvator.dk

WWW.SHOP.AEKVATOR.DK

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25

STRONG COLLABORATION

PRODUCES MORE SEA TROUT

With a strong partnership working on aspects such as stocking trout smolts, the Fyns Laksefisk hatchery, Vandpleje Fyn and Sea Trout Fyn have been elevating Fyn’s trout fishing into a class of its own for many years now. Collecting the breeding fish used in this work is a major and extensive job, and it is largely done by volunteers.

By: Søren Knabe, Chairman of Vandpleje Fyn Linda Bollerup, biologist, Fyns Laksefisk

26

When autumn makes its arrival felt in earnest and autumn half-term is over, the starting shot is fired for the annual electro-fishing project to collect breeding fish. This ensures that Fyns Laksefisk hatchery and Vandpleje Fyn will have the fertilised roe they need for the next generation of Fyn’s sea trout. The work of collecting breeding fish is ongoing from the middle of October through to the end of November.

During this period, many of Fyn’s streams receive a visit from a team of electro-fishers from either Vandpleje Fyn or Fyns Laksefisk.

The hard work

For decades, Fyn’s anglers have used electro-fishing to collect trout for breeding. Towards the end of the 1960s, Fyn’s trout had been all but eradicated due to the poor water quality of the streams, frequent pollution, etc. Even at that time, anglers began stocking to improve the supply; happily, these efforts have been redoubled over the years. In 2001, the Fyns Laksefisk hatchery was established via Sea Trout Fyn, and since then anglers and Fyns Laksefisk have been working side by side on electro-fishing and stocking Fyn

with trout.

In recent years, electro-fishing by anglers has almost always been about harvesting trout roe for Sea Trout Fyn’s smolt stocking, thus supporting Fyns Laksefisk by capturing breeding fish for the Fyns Laksefisk hatchery in southwestern Odense. Fyns Laksefisk is part of Elsesminde

Odense Produktionshøjskole, located in southwestern Odense, and it is here, at the school, that the breeding fish have a very brief stay when they have been collected from the streams to be stripped of roe (eggs) and sperm. The descendants of these breeding fish – the new baby trout – are tenderly cared for and spend their first year

and Vandpleje Fyn coordinate the planning and organisation of the season, and both parties play an active part in the physical labour of collecting breeding fish. Fyns Laksefisk undertakes electro-fishing on weekdays using several teams comprising staff, apprentices and production school trainees, and at the weekends leisure anglers from Vandpleje Fyn’s local clubs take over and electro-fish the streams where they already have fishing rights. Vandpleje Fyn has 25 electro-fishers at its disposal as well as 40–50 volunteer helpers, all allocated to ten teams.

Together, Fyns Laksefisk and Vandpleje Fyn have a total of 27 stretches of stream, from Storå in the north to the River Vejstrup Å in the south, with up to 40 electrofishing trips per season. In a typical season, approximately 400 female trout and the same number again of males are collected. These 800 or so breeding fish ensure the provision of 60–65 litres of trout roe required to fulfil the DTU Aqua (the National Institute of Aquatic Resources at the Technical University of Denmark) stocking quota to improve the supply, together with Sea Trout Fyn’s

of life at Fyns Laksefisk before being stocked as smolts in the estuaries of Fyn’s rivers.

Voluntary work and partnership

The job of collecting the many sea trout is extensive, and relies heavily on voluntary work. Fyns Laksefisk

stocking of first-class trout smolts in the estuaries of Fyn. All fish involved in Fyn’s breeding programme are wild fish, so their offspring are always the first generation away from wild fish.

The large number of breeding fish ensures the best possible genetic diversity. In addition, Fyns Laksefisk constantly works to optimise the hatchery to ensure the best possible smoltification of trout, thus ensuring the best possible quality with regard to fish stocking.

27

Down-to-earth communication

The work of electro-fishing often also involves outreach, e.g. to primary and lower secondary school pupils, politicians and other interested parties. Electro-fishing is an excellent outreach tool, as it is a tremendously effective way of catching fish in a stream. The fish can be gently shown to school pupils, for example, giving them the opportunity to learn about fish, river biology and the importance of looking after our streams. What’s more, many members of the public are often pleasantly surprised to see that the little stream in their back garden is occasionally home to large sea trout. This also serves to create understanding and respect in relation to our many small local streams and their inhabitants. Going forward, that is a crucial prerequisite to enable us to continue to work together for better habitats for Fyn’s trout.

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Fyn’s fish in their own waters

Stocking of trout smolts is one of the pillars in the three-pillar model that Sea Trout Fyn is based on. At the same time, this is a very large part of the success of the Fyn trout project that used to bear the slogan, ‘Fyn’s fish in Fyn’s waters’. Fyn’s fish in Fyn’s waters is exactly what Fyns Laksefisk and Vandpleje Fyn ensure when, together, they collect the wild breeding fish – in other words, the parents of the trout that will subsequently be stocked for the great enjoyment and benefit of local and foreign saltwater anglers.

Each year, more than 350,000 trout smolts are stocked here and there in Fyn’s estuaries. Stocking is financed by Sea Trout Fyn, and the physical work is done by Fyns Laksefisk with the help of Fyn’s leisure anglers under the auspices of Vandpleje Fyn. Stocking boosts the natural stocks of self-

www.seatrout.dk

reproducing sea trout. That is why surveys (conducted by 30 specially trained key anglers) also show that stocked fish play a role in the world-class fishing offered by Fyn’s coasts. A significant proportion of the key anglers’ catches are our own fish from Fyn’s hatchery, and that is another reason why Fyn’s anglers show such great interest in the breeding project. There is no doubt that anglers recognise the great benefit of putting in a lot of voluntary hours capturing breeding fish when trout stocks on our coasts and in the spawning sites in our rivers are being boosted in this way.

Fact box:

Name: Fyns Laksefisk hatchery Who: Part of Elsesminde, Odense Produktionshøjskole What: Recirculated hatchery (trout) Breeding since: Has existed in its present form since 2001

Fact box:

Name: Vandpleje Fyn (Fyn water conservation) Who: An association of 28 Fyn leisure angling clubs Members: Approximately 2,800 Fyn anglers Primary purpose: Electro-fishing and restoration of streams Time spent per electro-fishing season: Approximately 450 voluntary man-hours

Glossary:

Smolts: Trout aged 1–2, ready to migrate from fresh water to salt water.

Key angler: A specially trained angler who is able to tell the difference between wild and stocked fish, and who registers all his catches in a database.

Breeding fish: Male and female trout used for stripping.

Stripping: The trout are sedated and stripped of trout roe and sperm.

www.seatrout.dk

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FYNS HOVED CAMPING FYNS HOVED CAMPING is situated in a unique area of natural beauty on the top of Hindsholm. Rainfall is 25% less than anywhere else in Denmark.

Fynshovedvej 748, Nordskov DK-5390 Martofte Tel.: +45 65341014. www.fynshovedcamping.dk Email: info@fynshovedcamping.dk

The long sections of coastline offer an ocean of opportunities for anglers.

You will never be short of a sheltered angling spot.

We have a place for cleaning fish, cold store, grocer’s shop and barbecue/café on the campsite.

Sale of fishing tackle and fishing licences. Boat hire.

The perfect starting point for the perfect fishing trip, with direct access to the beautiful Lillebælt We offer: • Dinghy ramp • Boat rental • Fish cleaning possibility • Freezers available • Drying room for clothes

Galsklintvej 11 · DK-5500 Middel fart Tel.: +45 64 41 20 59 · Fax.: +45 64 41 81 59 www.galsklint.dk

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www.seatrout.dk

Broholm Fishing Lodge Et

Do you want to catch sea trout at some of Europe’s best and most beautiful trout sites while staying at an authentic castle and enjoying delicious meals prepared in the kitchen at the castle.

Then you should try a stay at Broholm Fishing Lodge and go sea trout fishing with us on Funen! You can fish for seatrout year round in the South Funen with prime season spring and autumn.

With our local knowledge of the coast, your options for catching sea trouts and having unique experiences will increase significantly. The spots we fish range from small bays to open shore, but common for them is that all spots are hunting grounds for the sea trout.

Besides fishing for sea trout, we can offer you pike fishing in the lake and moat of Broholm Castle, where pikes up to 11 kg have been caught.

Our fishing guides are certified by the Danish Anglers’ Association and Fishing Denmark. We guide both fly and spin.

Contact: Phone +45 40474167 or on e-mail kenneth@broholm.dk For more information: www.broholm.dk DENMARK’S SPORT FISHING ASSOCIATION

CERTIFIED

DANISH ANGLING GUIDE

PURCHASE YOUR MANDATORY FISHING PERMIT AT WWW.FISKETEGN.DK AND M.FISKETEGN.DK Everyone aged between 18 and 65 angling in Denmark must hold a valid angling licence.

Angling is fishing using light hand tackle. The angling licence costs DKK 185 for one year, DKK 130 for a week or DKK 40 for a day. Hobby anglers fishing with passive fishing tackle such as a hook line, net and trap must buy a fishing licence. This costs DKK 300 for one year.

The fishing licence is also valid as an angling licence. You can now buy licences online at www. fisketegn.dk or m.fisketegn.dk and print them yourself. It’s quick and easy. You can also order a plastic card bearing your licence number. This number, together with proof of identity, serves as sufficient proof of payment. www.seatrout.dk

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S E A S O N S SALTWATER FOR THE A N G L E R For the sake of simplicity, the sea trout year can be divided into four seasons – but please don’t go thinking that sea trout refer to a calendar to find out when the seasons change. As far as the fish are concerned, water temperature is the decisive factor in judging when winter gives way to spring, for example. Therefore, the saltwater angler should be no less alert to the water temperature – and try to think like a sea trout on the hunt.

Text and photos: Sea Trout Fyn. This text is an excerpt from Sea Trout Fyn’s new guidebook ‘117 Fine Fishing Spots’.

SPRING

Sea trout are not keen on cold water with high salinity.

That is why there are two main places where they spend the winter: In shallow inlets and coves, where, although the water is cold, it is fresher; and in deep waters far from land, where the water is salty, but not as cold.

When spring comes knocking, the sea trout in the inlets are the quickest off the mark. A couple of February days of calm weather, above-zero temperatures and sunshine to heat the shallow water even just a little can really get those fish moving. At those times, you might experience some outstanding fishing days in quite shallow waters in inlets, bays and coves. The water might only be 2–3 °C, but the crucial factor is that the temperature is rising, which the sea trout likes, so as far as that is concerned, they aren’t so very different from us in our waders. As long as the water is below 3°C, on the other hand, it is still too cold for the sea trout on the open, salty coast, which, for the very same reason, can seem entirely bereft of fish during that period.

Sea trout that have spent the winter in deep water far from land take a bit longer than the fish in the inlets to realise that spring has sprung. The longer days and rising water temperatures do have a positive effect on them, too, though. Once the water temperature along the open coast reaches 5–6°C, the fish move in towards the coast. Most years, that sort of temperature is reached around the middle of March, but it can be two to three weeks either side of that, depending on how cold or warm the month of February, in particular, ended up being.

The spring migration from deep waters towards the coast happens within quite a short time and is on rather a grand scale. The sea trout know instinctively that the shallow coastal waters will have more food than the deep waters. So, each year, the cold, wintry cliff-lined coasts virtually bereft of fish are transformed, if not overnight, then basically from one week to another, into a brilliant fishing spot.

Once water temperatures reach a stable 7–8°C or more, you can expect to find sea trout at all the fishing spots – in the inlets and along the open coasts 32

SUMMER

.

Summer on Fyn, Ærø and Langeland is a magnificent time for sea trout and sea trout anglers alike.

However, the water gets a bit too warm in the typical winter and early spring spots. The sea trout leave the inner fjords and bays with their shallow, still waters and travel out into the open, where they find deeper water that is cooler, with a stronger current.

Nevertheless, the sea trout remain very interested in shallow waters near the coast, brimming with food.

As long as the water temperature is below 16–18°C, summer sea trout can be found in a wide range of spots such as troughs, cliff-lined coasts, outer fjords and large reefs. If the coastal waters become warmer, however, you should concentrate your fishing around rocky points, mussel banks and large reefs, where currents are stronger.

Evenings, nights and early mornings are good times for fishing, but they are by no means the only times a sea trout can be tempted to bite. In fact, fishing is possible round the clock in early summer. In June, you could experience superb fishing in the middle of the day, particularly on overcast, windy days.

In July and the beginning of August, fishing in the dark is often the key, but from the middle of August, the sea trout are starting in earnest on their migration to the rivers, so daytime fishing can once again prove excellent.

Summer sea trout tend to school less than in other seasons, but are to be found more dispersed along the coast. That is why you will rarely catch a lot of summertime fish. On the other hand, there is no other time of year when the fish are more magnificent or in better condition.

Ignoring the year’s smolts – which, by June/July, will have grown into little sea trout measuring about 30 cm – there are not many small fish to be found along the coasts of Fyn during the three months of summer. Only magnificent silver specimens are to be found, often of an exceptionally good size. Summer is probably also the time when you stand the greatest chance of landing a sea trout weighing more than 5 kg.

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AUTUMN

Autumn fishing starts at the end of August. For the first couple of weeks, it is not very different from summer fishing. The early and late hours of the day are definitely the best. The sea trout are mainly to be found by the cliff-lined coasts and around the reefs on the open coastline.

However, the fish are on the move a lot in autumn, and they quickly spread to all types of spots and also swim into the inlets. That is why the latter half of September is such a fantastic time along the coast.

Fish can be found in all the spots – often in large numbers. That is not to say that many can be caught, however! The autumn sea trout is whimsical and awkward. This is because most of the large fish have migrated to spawn, so they have other things on their minds besides food.

Another challenge is that many of the smaller fish are extremely picky because the autumn coastal waters are teeming with food. However, there is no time of year quite like September and October when it comes to your chances of seeing the sea trout at the surface, and in the early mornings especially, you could find yourself casting for one fish after another – fish which show themselves at the surface by leaping or creating ripples. They are awkward, but with a little patience and by varying your technique, you should be able to get a few of them to take.

In November, as autumn gives way to winter, most of the larger fish have made their way to the river where they will be producing the next generation. Thus, for a period of 5–6 weeks, the coast is dominated by small, shiny finnocks, most of which are below the minimum allowable size for catching.

Fortunately, something happens when the water temperature nosedives once again towards the end of the year. That is when minor migrations of large, silver maidens occur. These amazing, magnificent trout have been out at sea for a long time among the herring and sand eel. When these prey fish move away, the maidens come to the coast to hunt for shrimps and goby before winter sets in. What they lack in numbers, these “Christmas trout” make up for in beauty. Always silver with loose scales and at the peak of condition. Remember: they are coming towards the shore from further afield, so they can be caught on the open coast. They only make their way into the inlets when winter sets in in earnest.

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WINTER

If it is a mild winter, this period is barely distinguishable from autumn and spring fishing.

Actually, these two seasons basically bridge a mild winter, with autumn fishing extending longer and spring fishing starting sooner.

The opposite is the case in a severe, cold winter.

If the water temperature falls below 3 °C, the sea trout automatically divide into two groups. One group seeks deeper, less chilly water. The other group seeks out the fresher water of the inlets. In other words, the only fish that are accessible to the saltwater angler are the ones that have taken up residence in the inlets and coves. Looking on the bright side, though, you might find some magnificent fish, even in the coldest period – as long as there isn’t a layer of ice to spoil your fun!

Finnocks – the sexually immature sea trout – can be found in schools of various sizes, and it is not uncommon to find a few large maidens in these schools too.

As the sea trout is poikilothermic, its digestion, need for food and level of activity decreases in cold water.

However, if you find them when they are keen to feed, a cold, fishless day can suddenly be transformed into a hectic half hour.

These biting periods are impossible to predict, but they do tend to occur particularly as the morning brightens up and for a couple of hours after that. The chances increase if there is a change in the wind at the same time as high water gives way to the tide going out. When the tide goes out, the very shallow coastal water draws back. That water is perhaps 1 °C warmer than the water further out, and an increase of just one degree can be enough to bring a school of sea trout to life.

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NEW FISHING GUIDE BOOK Fyn, Ærø and Langeland offer kilometre upon kilometre of coast just made for sea trout and sea trout anglers. More than 1,100 kilometres of coastline await, with scarcely a single metre where, at some point, a sea trout cannot be caught. But where do you start? Which are the best fishing spots for different seasons? And what about the wind and the current? How do they affect various locations?

Answers to these and many other questions can be found in our new

BOOK CONTENTS: 117 coastal spots on Fyn, Langeland, Ærø and the numerous smaller sea trout isles.

Aerial photos of every single fishing spot bring a brand-new dimension to fishing.

Fifteen detailed maps with depth contours.

guide book to guide you to 117 brilliant fishing spots around Fyn, Langeland and Ærø. Several of the islands’ most experienced saltwater anglers have contributed to the book and share the benefit of their fishing experience. The guide book is full of inspiration for the seasoned trout angler and the novice alike. Good maps and accurate descriptions make it easy to find just the right fishing spot – depending on the season, fishing method and wind direction.

The best season and wind direction for each fishing spot.

Useful tips about tackle, strategy and how to fish all year round.

Useful knowledge about the sea trout.

Guide to sandbars, reefs, troughs and other coastal features.

Ten fascinating tales from some of the spots described in the book.

BUY THE BOOK FROM YOUR FYN FISHING TACKLE STORE

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IN PURSUIT OF A

SPRING BONANZA I love the spring and its atmosphere of potential: Water temperatures on the coast are rising, macroinvertebrates are awakening, and, along with this, come the greedy spring trout. In angling circles, the month of April is generally known as the best month of the year for sea trout fishing. For me, the fishing is at its best very early in the spring.

A margin of just a few weeks can make a big difference to the fishing.

That small distinction usually comes around the end of February and through to the middle or end of March. The time we are talking about here is the famous saltwater angler’s phenomenon – the ‘sea trout bonanza’, where you can experience absolutely sublime sea trout fishing.

Text: Nicklas Engelbrecht Sørensen Photos: Nicklas Engelbrecht Sørensen, Nikolaj Korsholm and Jonas Høholt

The word ‘Bonacia’ from medieval Latin, and later Bo·nan·za in Spanish, literally means calm sea. Or you could say: the calm before the storm.

Spring after spring, there are reports of brilliant fishing by lucky (or skilled?) anglers who have tracked down a sea trout bonanza. The schools of sea trout usually comprise between 30 and 50 fish, but in some cases there can be more than 100 individuals.

The bonanza occurs in a relatively small area, and the fish are hungry – very hungry!

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Over the past century, the word ‘bonanza’ has most frequently been defined as ‘a rich source of good luck’. Luck is rarely found in an angler’s notebook, however, and in this article I want to explain the factors involved so you can figure out this complex jigsaw puzzle next spring.

At one with the spring sea trout

In order to be able to track down the large schools of sea trout, you first have to understand the needs of the fish. During the colder period, they usually frequent the fresher, inland waters or else they will be far out in the deep, warmer waters.

This is because the sea trout is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded) creature, i.e. its body temperature depends on and is the same as the water in the area in question. At the same time, the higher salt content in the outer coastal waters keeps the trout from migrating into the shallower coastal waters where there is plenty of prey. The moment this dilemma ceases is the moment the bonanza can commence.

When the shallow water reaches the magical temperature of 3.5 to 4 degrees, the coast explodes in a myriad of life. The anthem of the sea now invites the hungry sea trout to indulge. Not only do the fish now have the opportunity to frequent the open coast, but this is also where the vast majority of species of prey are to be found. It is particularly worth

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Loose and glossy scales are a trademark of the wild springtime sea trout.

noting the several hundreds of Danish species of sea ragworms, awakening in the sea bed around this time to swim up in the water for their annual swarming. And it is precisely this brief window of the sea trout’s hunger and ambition that you try to hit in your pursuit of a fishing bonanza.

Preparations

Here are ten elements that you must take into account when you want to search out a fishing bonanza.

1. Make use of the www.fcoo.dk platform (Defence Centre for Operational Oceanography). This site lets you monitor very precisely the elements that influence your local waters. The complex forecasts are pure gold to the saltwater angler – especially in the colder months, when salinity and water temperature are decisive factors for your fishing. The key forecasts for bonanza seekers are: water temperature, salinity, wind strength,

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wind direction, current speed and current direction.

2. Perfect water temperatures: Keep an eye on the daily water temperatures in your local waters throughout February and March.

If there has been a mild winter, as last year, the temperatures may be perfect starting as early as the end of February. Oceanographic forecasts of sea temperatures will be marginally higher than the sea

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trout waters right by the coast, as the measurements are taken in slightly deeper waters. For that reason, you should deduct approximately 1 C from the forecasts. As a general rule, the perfect temperatures are between 2 and 4 degrees.

3. Choose a more open coast: It is tempting to try your hand in the fresher waters of the inner inlets, but the concentration of fish is often lower in small areas.

Instead, choose the outer coast, with slightly higher salinity. The high salinity forces the fish to congregate in smaller areas in pockets of warmer water, which I call ‘bonacia pockets’. The large schools of sea trout migrate from the deeper waters into these pockets to perform their annual hunting ritual and indulge in an enormous feast.

4. Choose a fishing day with plenty of sunshine: As the day advances, the sun’s rays heat the shallow coastal waters to just the right temperatures. And that peps up the sea trout’s prey. But do not stay at home on the sofa just because it is clouding over. If the sun has already been beating down on the water near the surface for a few days, these are ideal conditions, too.

5. A day with the wind in your face: Although it might not be the most comfortable kind of fishing, choosing days with an onshore wind can prove very successful. The wind pushes the warm water near the surface in towards the coast, and at the same time pushes the cooler sea bed water out. It can be particularly beneficial if you hit an oblique onshore wind which forces the tepid surface water from an inlet or bay out towards the open coastal spot you have chosen. Wind strength of 4–6 m/s is ideal.

6. Beware of the current: It is rarely a good idea to choose a fishing spot with regularly changing currents. With changes in currents, the warm coastal water can quickly disappear – taking the fish with it. A sensible choice, therefore, would be a fairly straight stretch of coast that makes the fish stay in the pocket for longer. Avoid points with too many subsea structural variations.

7. ‘Seagull display’: It is a good idea to keep a lookout for what could be termed a seagull display; this occurs frequently in spring. The birds have long since picked up the scent of the swarm of ragworms, and no doubt the hungry sea trout have, too. If you see a concentration of seagulls hunting above the surface of the water over a small area, chances are there will be

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prey directly beneath the surface – not to mention sea trout!

8. A consistent strategy: Once you have selected a spot to fish, it is important to establish the right strategy before you begin. Determine where you will begin and end your quest for the bonanza. Too much indecisiveness and too many random deviations will reduce your actual fishing time and use up your mental reserves. You should be concentrating on your fishing all the time, ready to make the perfect strike when the sea trout takes. The stretch of coast you have chosen may well extend for several kilometres. Depending on how ambitious you are, you should be able to cover at least 2–3 kilometres of coast.

9.Tackle: It is a good idea to choose light fishing tackle that is right for the conditions. You will want to be able to cast rapidly and effectively. Long casts are not important. What is important is that you cover as much ‘new’ water as possible with your casts. Here, spinning tackle wins against fly-fishing tackle by a long way. If you are an enthusiastic fly-fisher, you can carry your fly-fishing rod on your back, making it easy to switch techniques once you have found the fish. Be sure to wear the right clothing, too. A light but warm under-layer and good, light boots for long fishing trips.

10. Find the fish: You have now caught the first fish of the day, and you have most probably found a large school of sea trout. But take it easy. The sea trout are not likely to disappear right away, as they are swimming around in the pleasant pocket of tepid water stocked with prey.

Make sure that your tackle is fully prepared so that you do not have to rush – which often results in hooking the back of your neck and erroneous casts. If you maintain your composure, you might keep on catching one fish after another. The majority of the fish are usually slender after spawning. Among these, it is not uncommon to find a proper ‘alternate spawner’ – a cracking good sea trout, firm and plump. A trophy like that will probably be waiting when you hit the centre of a real sea trout bonanza!

The concentration of fish

Which types of sea trout can be found in these large schools, and why are there so many of them?

In my experience, the vast majority of these fish are silvery fish that have spawned during the winter. These fish might have finished spawning as early as November

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or December, and since then they have stayed lurking in the river. Through the winter, the fish have congregated in the lower part of the river system, and at high water they have come out to sea. We are on the open coast, which means that, because of the low water temperature and high salinity, the fish are forced to seek the deep, slightly warmer waters.

On the way, the migrating sea trout are joined by a number of finnocks and a few large, plump alternate spawners seeking some company. Here, in the deeper layers, the large school congregates until the spring bonanza time strikes close to the shore.

Excitement is in the eyes of these two anglers, who have just tracked down a bonanza.

EXAMPLE: www.Seatrout.dk: The arrow shows the selected location for chasing sea trout.

Fishing spot: Hverringe Skov, north of Kerteminde Fishing stretch: 3.4 kilometres Wind direction: Southeast Wind strength: 5–7 m/s Water temperature: 3 C Cloud cover: Little or none Water level: Even Salinity: 16–24 PSU

www.Fcoo.dk: Perfect wind conditions are illustrated here. Both the wind speed and – direction can be seen in proportion to the selected location.

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One of many silvery sea trout, just picked from the enormous shoal.

The bonacia pocket

Year after year, I have consistently experienced a fishing bonanza precisely where the green circle is: In extremely rare cases, a brief current can make fishing more efficient. The image above illustrates how this phenomenon – which I call a bonacia pocket – occurs. The yellow arrow shows how the sea bed current follows the trough between two sand bars. At the same time, the warm surface water is pushed in towards the shore (orange arrow). The yellow arrow and the current hit a spit where there is a break in the sandbar. It is via this passage that the fish migrate from deeper waters. Now they will enter where the heat has also caused a concentration of their prey! When the current stops, the passage disappears and the cool saltwater returns like a ‘wall’. The fish are concentrated in a relatively small area: the oval green ring, which I call the bonacia pocket. Here, the sea trout swim around and gorge themselves until once again the current and the wind change the conditions – and the behaviour of the prey.

Afterwards, their bellies full, the sea trout once again head for the deep, warmer waters.

An aerial view of the seabed and underwater structures. The yellow arrows indicate the direction of the water current near the bottom in the ‘bath-tub’ along the shore and on outwards. The orange arrow shows the direction of the warmer water at the surface, moving towards the coast. The green circle shows what I have named the bonacia-pocket.

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SEA TROUT ELDORADO ON TOP OF FUNEN Æbelø

Flyvesandet

Fogense

Good spots

Grab your fishing rod and get ready for the fishing trip of your life on North Funen!

The coastline is more than 80 km long, and you’ll find many different angling spots where you can catch sea trout, mullets, mackerel, garfish, flatfish and crabs.

Planning the Perfect Trip!

Book a local fishing guide and go fishing with him.

Book accommodation close to the angling spots: there are lots of holiday houses, Bed & Breakfast hosts and campsites along the coast.

Contact VisitNordfyn at +45 6481 2044 e-mail: info@visitnordfyn.dk instagram.com/visitnordfyn

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Read more here: visit-nordfyn.com/angling 190x277 Annonce.indd 2

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SEA TROUT

STRATEGY It’s no good to use the same hunting-strategy as the grey heron, which simply takes up a passive stance on the shoreline, and stubbornly awaits a fish to swim randomly past. When the goal is silvery sea trout, it is you who must find the sea trout – it’s not the other way around.

Text: Havørred Fyn Photo: Jonas Høholt

can sometimes be found in even shallower water, but rarely in deeper water. The sea trout uses deep water when resting and digesting, so there are valid reasons why it is difficult to tempt one to bite here.

Some sections of coastline are so shallow, however, that you have to wade some distance from land before you find the ideal water depth.

The sea trout loves company Sea trout are evenly distributed

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Although the coasts of Fyn are home to a lot of sea trout, the task of finding and catching just one sea trout can appear rather daunting when you get down to a new section of coastline and look out across the sea.

How will a sea trout ever find your particular lure or fly? Your bait suddenly seems astonishingly tiny in all that water. Fortunately, there are a couple of very basic facts and strategies that make the fishing easier than it looks.

send a heavy lure even further out across deep water, but as a rule that is a poor strategy and a waste of time. Sea trout are seldom to be found far from land. If anything, quite the opposite. Sea trout love shallow waters by the coast. That is where they tend to find their food.

If you keep that in mind, the area of sea that you need to scour for fish suddenly becomes much less daunting.

Sea trout stay close to the coast It may be tempting to wade out as far as your waders will allow, and to

The hot zone is from the edge of the beach and less than a casting length out, because that is where most of the sea trout lurk. Water depths of 0.5–1.5 meters are ideal. Sea trout

along a section of coast and are hardly ever alone. They love the company of other sea trout and gather in groups large or small, patrolling the coast, hunting for gammarus, shrimps, bristleworms and small fish. If you come across one of these shoals of sea trout, you could be in for some fairytale fishing!

Conversely, many hours of fishing can be in vain if your paths do not cross.

Fish proactively and stay mobile An old proverb says that 90% of fish are to be found in 10% of the

water. To put it another way, 90% of coastal waters will contain only a few sea trout. Do not waste too much time here. The whole exercise is about finding and fishing the 10% of a given coastal expanse where the majority of sea trout are located.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict where the shoals of sea trout are to be found from one day to another.

That is why it is vitally important to stay mobile all the time and to move along the beach in a perpetual quest for fish.

A shoal of hungry sea trout will

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normally respond quickly to a lure or a fly the first time they see it. So don’t cast in the same spot over and over again; keep moving and deploy each cast in “new” water.

Sooner or later, you’ll find the sea trout. They might give away their position by leaping, or causing a swirl at the surface. They might follow your lure all the way to the toe-caps of your boots, or – best of all – you might feel the sea trout bite!

Then you will know you’ve found the fish, and it is almost a dead cert there will be more than one out there. Now it is worth the trouble to comb the area several times, using

A FEASIBLE

STRATEGY FOR CHASING SEA TROUT IS SIMPLE BUT CRUCIAL:

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different baits and techniques.

Use shorter casts – and catch more Sea trout that are searching for food and are ready to feed will often gather quite close to land. The more of the waters nearest the coast you are able to fish in a day, the greater your chances of finding a shoal of sea trout that are prepared to bite. The very best expanse is from the edge of the beach and 30–40 meters out. If you use 70–80 meter casts with very good spinning tackle that casts well and a heavy lure, you will in fact often be wasting half your day’s fishing by running your lure through deep waters far from the

• Focus your efforts on water depths between ½ -1,5 meters • Be mobile: Change location often and keep on moving once you’re fishing • Do each cast into ‘’new’’ waters www.seatrout.dk

coast where there are no sea trout, or just a few.

On the other hand, if you fish using a small lure or a fly, your casts will be significantly shorter. Conversely, all your casting will be in the hot zone for sea trout, all day long. Each cast will take less time to develop, which in turn means you will progress along the beach faster in your quest for sea trout. Of course, there are exceptions to the fishing strategy described here, but for most seasons and in the majority of Fyn’s coastal spots, lots of short casts will catch far more sea trout than fewer long casts.

• Do short casts in the near-coastal waters • Work the site thoroughly once you’ve found the sea trout they are rarely on their own

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A NEW PLATFORM FOR YOUR SEA TROUT FISHING ON FYN, ÆRØ AND LANGELAND Here, you can find everything you need in your quest for sea trout – apart from the salt water!

Check out the new interactive map of the 1,100 kilometres of sea trout coastline. For the first time, EVERYTHING you need has been brought together on one sea trout map.

There are 117 fishing spots with new satellite photos, topographical maps, descriptions of fishing spots, seasonal recommendations, conservation zones, special rules, etc. – all right at your fingertips whenever you need it!

You can also:

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Gain new knowledge about sea trout and practical fishing

Book the island’s best sea trout angler as your own guide

See conservation zone information and fishing rules for Fyn’s coastlines

Watch a video about fishing for sea trout Follow our work to promote Fyn’s sea-trout stocks Read news from the coasts, the fishing guides and partners

Find Sea Trout Fyn on

WWW.SEATROUT.DK 46

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Avernakø Landhotel

Hovedvejen 10 5600 Faaborg Tel. 29809986 E-mail: gitte@avernak.dk www.avernakoe-geder.dk

Avernakø as an angler destination is a feast for the eyes and for the soul. Around the island are almost all soil conditions and geography ensures that in all types of weather is it possible to find good fishing spots. Avernakø Landhotel provides a good and made bed, towels, breakfast, lunch and dinner even at unusual hours.

We have a fish cleaning area, freezing capacity, drying space, living room, TV-room.

Try A Hobie kayak iN HeLNæS BAy At Bønnelundgård Fishing Holidays you can rent the unique Hobie-fishing kayaks, perfect for sea trout fishing in Helnæs Bay and around Horne Land, Sydfyn.

We also offer 3 lovely holiday apartments with direct access to Helnæs Bay.

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See more on BFoL.DK

BØNNELUNDGÅRD

Hornelandevej 76 B • DK-5600 Fåborg • Tlf.: 45 5121 5993

Fishing Holidays Ferie & lystfiskeri

Spodsbjergvej 335 • DK - 5900 Rudkøbing Tel.: + 45 62 50 11 36 Fax: + 45 62 50 26 36 E-mail: info@spodsbjerg.dk www.spodsbjerg.dk 1/1 – 31/12

Langeland

Færgegårdens Camping / Spodsbjerg Camping The best camp site on Langeland for anglers is centrally situated in Spodsbjerg, directly opposite the marina, the fishing port and the ferry terminal. Boat hire and angling trips on a cutter.

Place for cleaning fish and cold store. Daily angling package: Cabin for six, from 80 €, incl. boat: 145 €. Bed & Bredfast 2 pers., from 75 €, incl. boat: 140 €.

Rent a holiday house very close to the best fishing spots around Fyn and the islands.

Our fishing friendly holiday houses are all equipped with a fish cleaning table and a large freezer.

Ex: Holiday house for 6 persons / 3 days from € 183,-

Middelfart

Ronæsvej 10 DK-5580 Nr.Åby +45 64421763 campingferie@hotmail.com www.camping-ferie.dk

Welcome here at our family campsite.

Ronæs Strand Camping is placed at the bottom of Gamborg Fjord, it is a perfect place to fishing for seatrout and flounder.

Rental of cabins and caravans.

Common room, boat ramp, parking for trailer, grill.

Best regards and welcome from Henriette & Peter

Certified accomodation

The most cozy place on Fyn at the beach

Next stop The bay of Helnæs Løgismose Skov 7, 5683 Haarby www.logismosestrand.dk info@logismosestrand.dk

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SUMMER FISHING AND SUNSHINE TROUT Text and photo: Flemming Miller, www.123fisk.dk

Fishing for sea trout on the summer coastline has automatically been associated with fishing in the dark, short nights. However, the notion that sea trout cannot be caught during the day in summer is a myth – no matter how hot the weather is. There are never more sea trout around the coast than in the summer months. In June, there are basically no trout left up in the rivers – they are now all out hunting along the coasts of Fyn. Think about it Naturally, some sea trout migrate up into the rivers to spawn starting in June, but the percentage that do so is minuscule in relation to the overall stocks. Come autumn, when many sea trout anglers tend to start fishing again, a large proportion of the coast’s sea trout have already made their way up the rivers. The rest of the fish migrating to spawn are already well on their way. What they all have in common is that they are in tip-top condition. They have spent the summer hunting and gorging themselves.

The idea that the sea trout only eat during those five or so hours of darkness available in summer would mean night fishing for sea trout was immensely easy. Is that necessarily so? At the same time, it would mean the sea trout had to fast for the remaining 19 hours at the very time when their lives revolve around eating to fatten themselves up for winter spawning. That is simply not how it works. There are nights when you catch absolutely nothing, and nights with just a few fish – just as with daytime fishing. The sea trout eat around the clock, and sunshine and water temperature do not appear to have any effect on this.

The sea trout’s selection of food The selection of food available during daytime hours compared to during the night is like... well, night and day.

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During the daytime hours, the sea trout’s prey hides. If you dive beneath the surface, you can scarcely see anything at all of the overall selection of food. Often, it’s mostly shoals of sticklebacks and sandeel. If you then dive beneath the surface again and see the selection of food in the same location at night, it is a completely different world. All the prey are now out and about. They swim around without protection, straying further from their hiding places where they have been lurking during the hours of light. There is now an enormous selection of food. All the sea trout’s prey are out in search of food themselves.

Fishing for sea trout in the midst of such a buffet of delicacies does not put your chances very high, does it? If, on the other hand, you fish during the hours of daylight, statistically your chances are much better. However, fishing like that requires you to concentrate on the hiding places of the prey, fishing close to these. This is in fact where the sea trout are usually to be found. Generally, a very small proportion of the sea trout’s prey are to be seen more than 3 metres down. Depths of 0.5–1.5 metres are where it all happens. That is where sea trout hunt for food when they are hungry.

In my experience, the sea trout’s stomach contents during the daytime hours primarily comprise sandeel and sticklebacks. The closer we come to nightfall, the more the sea trout focus on gammarus, shrimps, etc. This finding also concurs with my observations on diving expeditions under the water. During daylight hours, basically only sticklebacks and sandeel are to be seen – at night, all the other prey come out into the open from their hiding places.

Lightweight gear: Swap your heavy waders and boots for boardshorts and sandals. The shallow waters are warm and your visits by the shoreline are shorter than usual. A summertime outing rarely demands more than good timing and some awareness.

The right wind, water level and current

Just as the water temperature matters when fishing for sea trout in early spring, the temperature of the water remains important in summer. During the summer period, it is important to find ‘fresh’, cool sea water close to the coastline. The tide and its consequent current are very important when it comes to the supply of ‘new’ water. A more or less enclosed inlet without significant changes of water is not the best. Open coasts, on the other hand, have regular changes of water. Twice every 24 hours, the water is refreshed at high tide. A large amount of the water that comes in at high tide is oxygen-rich water from deeper areas, and you should focus your daytime fishing for summer sea trout precisely at and around high tide! The period one hour before high tide and two hours afterwards usually yields the best results for me.

Another important factor is the wind. The wind moves large amounts of water around, which

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is seldom noticed. When the warm surface water is pushed out, the cooler water is drawn in along the sea bed to replace the surface water being pushed out. This changeover of water offers perfect conditions for summer sea trout fishing. With refreshed, oxygen-rich water all day long – combined with changes of water – warm sunshine and warm summer air are not all that important.

A direct offshore wind is very good for the changeover of water, but it also makes for incredibly clear water, which is not always desirable. I prefer the surface water to be ruffled with waves, with some particles hovering in the water, making it slightly muddy. An oblique offshore wind can deliver that. Under those conditions, the sea trout appear less reticent – at least, they are more likely to take.

Summer water temperatures often exceed the ideal temperature for the sea trout’s wellbeing, which is 12–14 degrees. However, they are easily able to put up with that. If it gets to be too much, they can visit water depths of 4–5 metres for a while, where the temperature is completely different – cool – after which they can return when they feel like eating. Remember that most of the prey inhabit depths of 0–2 metres. Water depths of between 0.5 and 1.5 metres are the main area in their quest for food. This is where the sea trout will come to when they want to eat. The sea trout’s metabolism is also dependent on the surrounding water temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster the sea trout’s metabolism. In summer, therefore, the trout has to eat significantly more food than in winter. In addition, it also has to grow and put on weight in summer. Sea trout have to eat in order to survive – whether or not the temperature is to their liking.

Summer spots for sea trout

Along the coastlines, you will find countless points and reefs jutting far out into open waters. These are veritable magnets for sea trout – and crafty sea trout anglers – and for good reason! The water is often more in motion here with a higher changeover rate of water than close to the shore. Areas like these usually play host to sea trout during the summer months. The sea trout now making their way along the coasts towards the rivers to spawn will also encounter these reefs en route. The further through the summer we get, the more migratory fish will come past. Both night and day. Fishing spots like these need to be covered thoroughly – and you should preferably keep coming back to them.

New fish will come by throughout the day. The sea trout change places and displace one another. Areas of bladder wrack must be fished through thoroughly. Areas like these are where I find the majority of my sunshine sea trout. At water depths of between 1 and 1.5 metres along a band of bladder wrack, I have observed large quantities of sea trout even on the hottest days with plenty of sunshine and barely a hint of wind. The sea trout position themselves in the shade between the thickets of bladder wrack to rest, while others swim silently on the far side of the bladder wrack, hunting for food. Fishing with a coastal fly or a spoon in this area will offer just about the only prey swimming around here in the daytime hours – there is a very good chance of constant attacks from a sea trout.

Bands of bladder wrack

Bladder wrack is the only plant that gives the sea trout a decent hiding place and shade from the sun, and this is where they usually lurk. The distinct, dark bands are often located close together, parallel to the coast. They are usually a permanent fixture in the coastal ‘trough’. This is the coast road for hunting sea trout. When I want to cover bands of bladder wrack, it works best if I wade cautiously(!) out to the first band of seaweed and then cover the full length of the bands of seaweed and then proceed diagonally outwards.

If you are standing in water up to your crotch, that is deep enough for some superb summer trout. Wade forward cautiously until you notice fish. If there is one, there will generally be others too. The sea trout are socially inclined, after all. However, be careful not to make the mistake of taking up a position in the middle of the bladder wrack and trough, trampling around among frightened fish. Remain at a safe casting distance and present your fly or lure carefully and naturally.

Fluorocarbon

If you are not already using a fluorocarbon leader, I would strongly recommend it, no matter whether you are fly-fishing or spinning. The sunlight is strong at this time of year, and the sea trout will quickly register an ordinary nylon line or braided fishing line as something unnatural. They will follow your fly or lure, but they will not take. As fluorocarbon has the same refractive index as the sun’s rays in the water, the sea trout will not discover the deception until it is too late. Personally, I use a 0.37-millimetre

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fluorocarbon leader when I am fishing with a spoon, and I use 0.33-millimetre one when fly-fishing. There is no need for a particularly thin leader, as the fish cannot see the line.

However, when you are fishing close to the seaweed plants, as I recommend, a thicker leader is a distinct advantage. You will get stuck in bladder wrack and seabed plants several times. And you need to apply some force to the line when guiding an extremely uncooperative summer trout around two bands of bladder wrack.

Colour of the fly or lure for summer trout

At first sight, the coastal water can look very clear from above, but appearances can be deceptive. If you dive beneath the surface, the water is not clear, due to algae; it is almost greenish. You could be led to believe that there are several metres of clear view, but visibility in the water will often turn out to be no more than 2 metres. Blustery weather and small sand particles whirling around make a big difference to visibility. The tiny sand particles glisten in the sun, creating a kind of ‘wall’ that you cannot see through. It is almost like driving your car with full headlights during a snowstorm at night. Therefore, if the water is clear both above and beneath the surface, I use discreet, natural colours and natural imitations of seasonal prey. Classic colours such as sand, brown, olive and copper rarely go wrong. If it is a very hot summer, or if visibility in the water is very low, do not hesitate to choose bolder colours. Typical bright winter colours such as orange, red, pink and white can make all the difference on days like that. It’s a great opportunity to dust off your old flies and lures from last winter’s fishing!

SUCCESS CRITERIA FOR CATCHING SUMMER SEA TROUT IN SUNSHINE:

} Go fishing in an offshore wind Restrict your fishing to approximately three hours: one hour before the highest tide and two hours into the receding water Fish close to the bladder wrack near points and reefs Use fluorocarbon Start off by using natural colours for your fly or lure www.seatrout.dk

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