INTERVIEW: EMILY ROdGER / TIGER FISH IN TANZANIA / FLY FISHING THE DANISH FLATS / ICELAND SEA TROUT / INDIA QUEST FOR HIMALAYAN GOLD / ART IN FISHING: RACHEL LEE / BEHIND THE LENS WITH FABIAN FINGERLOS / COLLECTING FISHING RODS / PEACOCK BASS IN AMAZON
Art Director AND GRAPHICS: OMAR GADE, VALENTINA SCARABELLI, ANGLINGCONSULTING.ONE Press: “Tipografifia
Giorgio Cavatorti Via Verdi, 30 42027 Montecchio Emilia (RE)
PHOTO
McIntosh
Andrea Bianchi,
Sean H., MAURO BARBACCI, Kristján Páll Rafnsson, Charlotte Chilcott, RACHEL LEE, FABIAN FINGERLOS, Riccardo De Stabile, Bob Sanders
Bertani” Cavriago (ITALY)
Editor note
Dear Readers, I am thrilled to announce the arrival of H2O Magazine to North America! Originally established in Italy, H2O has since expanded into Europe with additional issues in France, England, Scandinavia, and now, I’m excited to bring this unique publication to North America.
At H2O Magazine, we’re passionate about showcasing the world’s finest fishing lodges, exploring tourist boards and organizations that support fishing tourism, and diving into historical collaborations that deepen our love for this sport.
For me, traveling and fly fishing are more than just hobbies—they are a way to connect with the world and share extraordinary experiences with all of you. Whether you’re inspired by the destinations featured in this issue or interested in planning your own fishing adventure with us, I’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to reach out to me directly for travel consulting, hosted trips, or to share your own ideas and experiences within the fishing industry. Let’s connect and keep the conversation going!
Yours sincerely, Emily
Editorial Director, H2O
Magazine
After Europe, where we have been present for years with the Italian edition, to which the French edition was added a few years ago and recently the English and Northern European edition, we are now ready for a magazine, in paper and online, dedicated to the North American market.
The historical collaboration with some important fishing lodges, tourist boards and organizations related to the fishing tourism sector allows us to have high-level contents and excellent collaborations in the fly fishing industry.
Writing about fishing trips we could not have a better editorial director than Emily Rodger, a great enthusiast like us of traveling to wonderful places. We are convinced that in a market currently undergoing great transformation such as that of fishing trips, an information point that connects Europe and America is necessary, so… happy reading to everyone.
Best regards, Giorgio
Editorial Director, H2O
Magazine
Emily Rodger
Giorgio Cavatorti
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TIGER FISH IN TANZANIA
The alarm clock rang early in the room of a small hotel overlooking the city of Iringa, in southern Tanzania.e landscape, colourful culture ...
76 60 38
ICELAND SEA TROUT
It was 2020 when I got my first sea trout river in my portfolio. Since then, I have slowly managed to get the main rivers together...
ART IN FISHING: RACHEL LEE
Hello, my name is Rachel Lee and I am an artist from South Korea who now resides in New Zealand. My passion for drawing characters...
COLLECTING FISHING RODS
Collecting fishing rods doesn't actually present any great difficulties. It's enough to go to some flea markets and you will always find ...
8
INTERVIEW: EMILY RODGER
My passion for fly fishing emerged in the year following my first cycling accident when I was hit by a car...
28 50 66
FLY FISHING THE DANISH FLATS
Driving through the Danish countryside, I found myself winding through grassy emerald fields scattered with cottages and farm homes built...
INDIA QUEST FOR HIMALAYAN GOLD
It had been a longheld dream of mine to go to India, but why? Mostly because I love travelling...
Behind The Lens WITH FABIAN FINGERLOS
Walking down to the Faro River from camp after breakfast, Stu, Ed, the game scouts, and I were excited about the...
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PEACOCK BASS IN AMAZON
They call the Marie River “Rio de Gigantes” or “River of Giants” and the 500-mile long tributary of the Amazon River seems to produce...
Interview Emily rodger
Can you share the story of how your passion for fly fishing first began?
My passion for fly fishing emerged in the year following my first cycling accident when I was hit by a car. While I was still undergoing surgeries and treatment to recover from a brain injury, I was determined to return to training and racing at an elite level. Although I wouldn’t admit it at the time, I was not only grappling with the effects of my injuries but also dealing with PTSD from the trauma of the accident. I found it increasingly difficult to be around people and began spending more time alone. During that period, I was living part-time in Arizona and would often go to Oak Creek in Sedona on my recovery days. I loved sitting by the water, away from everything and everyone. In those moments, I wasn’t thinking about my injuries, the accident, the pressure of racing or competition, or the fears and anxieties I was facing as a result—I was simply captivated by trying to spot trout. That’s when my childhood memories of fishing resurfaced. I recalled being 4 or 5 years old, trying to catch trout in a brook near my childhood home. I vividly remembered the joy I felt when I finally caught one. That joy was what was missing from my life, and that’s how the idea of fly fishing came to me. I didn’t know anyone who flyfished, so I hired a guide and went fly fishing the following week. Taking that initial step was one of the greatest choices I’ve ever made. Fly fishing taught me to pay attention to what’s happening beneath the surface, both in the water and within myself. Learning to read water and think like a fish shifted my focus. It required me to look beyond what’s visible on the surface and notice the subtle cues that tell a bigger story. Over time, I realized the same applied to my own life. Just like with fishing, I needed to look deeper to understand what was driving my reactions and feelings. Sometimes, I needed to step back to gain a broader perspective on the bigger picture. This awareness became a powerful tool for me, helping me navigate not only the water but also my life with more clarity and patience. It’s been a reminder to slow down, consider what’s happening both above and beneath the surface, and be present with it all. What started as a simple interest quickly grew into something much bigger—a personal way to move forward that felt real and grounded.
Coming from a successful career as an elite level cyclist, how would you compare the experiences of cycling and fly fishing?
I love both cycling and fly fishing for different reasons, and I’ve needed each during different seasons of my life. Both sports have taught me invaluable lessons and have built on each other to shape who I am today. Fly fishing intrigues me because, like cycling, there are many variables involved. I appreciate the technical aspects and how many factors must align to land the fish I’m after. It reminds me of how I planned my training and executed
races—some things I can control, while others are completely out of my hands.
Fly fishing has also taught me the value of staying present in the moment. It gave me the space to reflect on what truly matters to me. The more time I spent fishing, the more my priorities began to shift. I realized that cycling didn’t have to come first for me to be successful. What I needed to prioritize were my faith, my family and friends, and then cycling, fly fishing, or whatever else I was pursuing. Since making this shift, my life has become more fulfilling. I’ve become happier, stronger,
"Learning to read water and think like a fish shifted my focus."
and more passionate about living a life of purpose, authenticity, and integrity. This not only made me a better athlete but, most importantly, a better person. I believe it is essential for each of us to find things we are passionate about; both cycling and fly fishing hold a special place in my heart. My time cycling and racing at the elite level, along with the lessons I learned during that time, has shaped me into the angler I am today.
Your calendar is full of interesting trips: what’s your favorite destination?
My favorite destination is always either my last trip—since it’s freshest in my mind—or the next one I have planned! The beauty of fly fishing is that it’s taken me all over the world, introducing me to places I might never have thought to explore. Each destination holds its own unique meaning and significance in my life. For instance, fishing in New Zealand taught me patience and presence, while time spent in Africa revealed a raw beauty that deeply grounded me. Fishing in the jungle has taught me to trust my instincts and stay acutely aware of my surroundings. In Italy, I found a sense of connection through its history, rivers, and the friends I made along the way. Each place offers a new layer of growth, and each journey has enriched my perspective on the world and myself, showing me how powerful and universal the love for exploration can be.
Freshwater or saltwater?
Whether it’s saltwater or freshwater fly fishing, the real enjoyment for me comes down to sight fishing. Sight fishing holds a special place in my heart because it creates a deep connection with the environment—an incredible intimacy in witnessing fish in their natural habitat, undisturbed. It’s the anticipation and thrill of spotting a fish before it even knows you’re there. Every moment is a challenge: reading the water, watching for subtle movements, and crafting the perfect cast to a fish you can see but must outsmart. You learn to observe more deeply—whether it’s the way the light reflects off the water, the subtle shift in the current, or
the shadow of a fish cruising in shallow water. It’s active, tactical, and requires complete focus. For me, sight fishing is also about patience and respect. It teaches you to slow down and appreciate the pursuit as much as the catch. Whether I’m stalking a tailing permit on a tropical flat or a trout in a crystal-clear stream, sight fishing brings me back to the essence of the sport—the perfect balance of nature, skill, and instinct coming together in a single moment. Ultimately, it’s the hunt I am after.
You recently took a trip to Italy; how did you find it?
For me, going to Italy completely encapsulated the romance I believe fly fishing holds. It deepened my sense that, like fly fishing, life is about finding beauty and meaning in the details, slowing down, and savoring each moment. This is how I choose to live my life, and Italy solidified that belief for me. It was special to return to places I’d visited before while racing professionally and, five years later, to be there for a completely different purpose. But in a way, it’s almost the same reason: a pursuit of curiosity and a desire to see more of the world and of myself. The persistence and passion that drove me to race in Italy is the same persistence that brought me back to fish there.
In Italy, everything felt balanced. We’d spend mornings on the water and afternoons exploring museums, blending the old and new—both in Italy itself and in who I am today. This trip brought together the ‘ancient’ and modern versions of myself in a way that felt as timeless as Italy itself.
Any ideas for your next trips?
This coming year, I have an exciting lineup of trips planned to some incredible destinations, including Africa, Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, Mexico, Italy, and Mongolia, along with various locations in North America. I’m sure I’ll manage to squeeze in a few more destinations! Each location offers something unique, and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences with fel-
low anglers and adventurers.
Projects for the future?
As the Editorial Director of H2O North America, I'm excited to lead my team in expanding our reach across the continent. This role perfectly aligns with my passion for the outdoors and storytelling, allowing me to connect with the fly-fishing community on a larger scale.
In parallel, I will continue my work as an executive coach and public speaker, both of which have been integral to my journey and career. I find fulfillment in empowering others in their professional growth—whether in business, leadership, or personal development—helping them turn their aspirations into actionable plans. I’m also actively engaged in several film projects that reflect my commitment to storytelling and advocacy.
Additionally, I will continue hosting trips focused on fly fishing and hunting, which are my favorite platforms for connecting with fellow anglers and adventurers. Through these experiences, I cherish witnessing the relationships that develop, learning from diverse perspectives, and bringing people together to celebrate our shared love for the outdoors. In a world that can often feel divided, I believe in the remarkable power of these shared experiences to foster connection and unity within the outdoor community.
Ultimately, my mission is to embody a life of adventure and purpose—one that merges exploration with meaningful impact, championing the values of resilience, connection, and empowerment in everything I do.
“Fly fishing has also taught me the value of staying present in the moment. It gave me the space to reflect on what truly matters to me."
Tigerfish IN Tanzania
Andrea Bianchi
The alarm clock rang early in the room of a small hotel overlooking the city of Iringa, in southern Tanzania. It would be nice to say that the excitement of the upcoming fishing stint kept me up all night making the alarm useless. However, the last week of work in the forest had really exhausted me and the alarm rang rather incessantly (and annoyingly) before I could get out of bed. The prospect of the day, and of the following ones, however, was more than fantastic: first,
four hours of dirt tracks in the Miombo woods, and then the “fishing” exploration of various stretches of the Ruaha River, some of which were never fished before. The setting for this exploration (or recce, from recognition, as they call it here) is one of the largest wild areas in Africa: The Ruaha National Park, 20,226 km2, an area as large as Lombardy.
I was a guest in my dear friend Kiasile Fox's tented camp, Mwagusi Camp, an oasis of comfort, relaxation, and inspiration in the heart of the savannah. The first day ran slowly in the principle of an African safari: radiators that
overheated, cover-ups, brunches in the shade of centuries-old baobabs... The arrival in Mwagusi was like taking a leap back in time, and while we were having dinner on a small table set in the bush, we found ourselves surrounded by giraffes, impalas and baboons which prepared for the night by screaming, clicking, and cackling.
Finally, however, the time came to stretch out the lines and cast in the fish rich waters (and not only...) of the Ruaha River. Kiasile (Hehe, the name meaning “he who is lost and found”, but that's another story) and I targeted the big tigerfish, and ignored the yellowfish, cichlids
and alestids that populated the river too. We both started with 8 weight rods with sinking tip lines, 20-30lb leader and steel cable bite tippet. We were looking for Hydrocynus tanzaniae (literally “the Tanzanian water dog”), one of the five species of African tigerfish, also called “blue tigerfish” due to a showy blue adipose fin (the alestidae family shares this characteristic with that of the salmonids).
Kiasile mounted a blue clouser, while I tried with a black one: at the first launch we were both enchanted, and we looked at each other smiling happily. His catch, a nice tiger of about
1kg, however, was retrieved and after a brief struggle reached the shore where Kiasile unhooked and quickly released it. In the meantime, I had recovered the excess line and clutch of the legendary Tibor that “The Everglades” slowly released decimeter after decimeter of line. However, the behaviour seemed strange to me, and in fact we wondered if I could have hooked a vundu, a sort of catfish that reaches
100kg. Just as we were discussing this, a longscaled tail removed all doubts: I had hooked a large Nile crocodile! A fair amount of swearing (in Italian, English, and Swahili) and laughter followed, until I finally straightened the rod and, holding the line tightly, let the weight of the crocodile straighten the hook. The experience was a warning to us: we will rarely fish without sharing the pool with crocodiles and
hippos (and on a couple of occasions, we had to quickly move away from the shore upon the arrival of a crocodile who was a little too curious). After all this noise we decided to move upstream (while Kiasile caught three more tigerfish, but we could omit this from the story...) where I finally caught my first water dog. At this point the river ran quickly between rocks, and I fished as if I were looking for large marble trout: I cast at 30 degrees, skimming the opposite bank with the heavy streamer, I mended upstream with the floating part of the line, I let the T250 sink until it was tight.
FLY FISHING THE DANISH FLATS
An American Perspective
Driving through the Danish countryside, I found myself winding through grassy emerald fields scattered with cottages and farm homes built in the early 1800s on my way to “Å”, an area along the coastline on the Southwestern side of
Fyn. Coming from the Western United States where everything was built in the last hundred years, and a majority of the homes in the last fifties, seeing the half-timbered buildings, thatched roofs, and stone wall and hedge-lined properties alone was a treat.
After passing through a village called Ebberup and a few more turns and twists, I arrive at “Å“. The ocean was in front of me. There was a slight fog, but that did not keep me from scouring the water for any sign of the Danish sea run brown trout that I had been reading about from my
home in Arizona.
Soon, I am at the Lodge, the first and only designed and completely built from the ground fly fishing Lodge of the country. This new nice looking wooden construction was built during Covid years 2020 and 2021, with a great 180°
view over the sea.
But the Lodge company dates back to 2013 which means the staff have a long experience running this kind of operation. The first Lodge (which is today closed), was running from 2013 to 2018 and was located a couple of kilometres
from the new one. The decision that it was time to improve and build a newer Lodge in a greater position was taken by the staff and by the manager Omar, who has been fishing the region of Fyn since a child. While Omar has fished the world, like many of us, sea trout fishing holds a
special place in his heart. At that time, back in 2013, Omar decided to pioneer Denmark's first fly fishing lodge. Several fishing services have since opened in Denmark following Omar's lead. And the local industry is actively improving the local trout population every year.
The new “Denmark Fishing and Outdoor Lodge 2.0” is an excellent place to base a fishing trip in Denmark, it holds 6 sleeping rooms with private bathrooms, a living & dining room for 20/25 guests, a fly tying area, and the décor reveals a clear appreciation for fly fishing, art, and the intersection of the two. There are couches to lounge with a coffee table hosting fishing magazines and picturesque trout photography books. A guitar stand next to the couch was doing its job, waiting for the next player to put the six string to use. At any time a famous blues guitarist might just do that.
Outside the Lodge, the big wooden terrace with view over the sea makes for a nice place to have an afternoon beer while looking at the surrounding nature. There are many birds as well in the area and it is not rare to spot sea eagles flying over the new Lodge property.
After putting my luggage away in the small comfortable double room, and taking a quick nap, I went in the Lodge main room for dinner. To my surprise, this fly fishing lodge restaurant attracts a Danish local crowd. Upon eating, I understood why. Out of the kitchen poured an exquisite three course Italian meal planned, produced and served by the Lodge staff that brings the spicy flavors of Italy to the lodge’s kitchen. To find it in a tiny fishing lodge in Denmark was serendipitous. The staff of the Lodge is international, with origins from Denmark, Germany, Italy, and that is why the choice of serving Italian food. To finish the meal, Valentina, staff member at the Lodge, shared a small glass of Nocino, a walnut liquor from her home country. After dinner I went out on the Lodge terrace, I had a short pause there, and then I went into my room. Sleep was early and easy.
Normally I like the challenge of learning how to catch trout in an area on my own, but it sometimes takes time and can produce no fish. I was in Denmark on business, and
only had a day and a half to play. I decided that a guide would definitely help me get the most out of my time.
Joining my guide Omar and me to take photos was Mauro Barbacci, a professional photographer from Italy. Omar asked if I minded if Mauro joined and took some photos "Of course! Who wouldn't want some professional photos taken of themselves while casting?”
So, the three of us drove back through those winding roads with the vast ocean to our side. We passed the areas where my eyes scoured for any sign of life, and I knew the decision to hire a guide was the right one. We arrived at a parking lot in yet another small village. The weather was nice for September. It was a sunny morning with few clouds and a bit of wind. The community was definitely taking advantage of it. This is what I expected in Denmark. We proceeded to put on our chest waders and set up a 12 foot leader/tippet with a fly called “Jan
Kenobi’s baitfish". The fly takes the name from Jan, another guide of the Lodge, which created this simple but effective pattern.
Once rigged, we walked out to the ocean side bay on a long sandy trail cutting through lush rose hips with our eyes again fixed on the surface of the bay for trout movement. On the rocky beach, the water was crystal clear. Apparently this is normal here. The ocean was relatively calm, but there was enough wind to break its surface and my attempt at a long distance cast as well. When fishing for Danish browns in the sea, you're best casting fifty to sixty-five feet (that's 15 to 20+ meters for the rest of the world).
My guide Omar instructed me to take two steps to the right. In this way, we cover a lot of water; after all, there is a big ocean out there. After covering a good distance, Omar decided it was time to move on to new water. Fishing an ocean is much different than a river. Having a guide like Omar or Jan, that knows the water, weather, and
seasonal patterns narrows where they might be, but you still have to cover a lot of water to find where they really are.
My guide knew exactly where to go. We carefully waded out deeper into the sea, careful not to make too much noise or slip into the water. Almost instantly we ran into a school of sea run brown trout. This time the wind was at my back, making the long distance cast much easier, but the porpoising targets were still a stretch for me. Relaxing my cast, and positioning to keep the wind working with me on the forward cast, I was able to reach the trout. It only took a couple casts and I was already into a fish. Bliss.
The muscles and tendons in my hand and forearm kicked into action, keeping the rod tip as high as possible, though the 6 weight did its best to point back down at the water. Very quickly I pulled the beautiful silvery 50 cm brown trout closer and eventually parked it into the landing net. Now I was happy to have a professional
photographer with us. My childish ego kicked in, "Mom, mom; look what I caught!"
There were more fish out in that bay, I lost 2 more. Before noon, we tried yet another area just close to the Lodge. I managed to hook one more but small trout. That night I ate one last tasty dinner at the lodge and had another good night's sleep.
I went out on my own the next morning. The ocean was again crystal clear. I saw a lot of sea life, including jellyfish and very small starfish, even a purpose (small whale) but no trout. Still, the scenery was absolutely gorgeous, and I fished in front of an old lighthouse.
While I left behind many uncaught fish and a few new friends, I brought memories of both home to the US, and the hope to return to Fyn and Denmark Fishing Lodge again someday.
SEA TROUT ICELAND
Kristján Páll Rafnsson
It was 2020 when I got my first sea trout river in my portfolio. Since then, I have slowly managed to get the main rivers together after many meetings with the landowners. In 2023, my goal was perfected as I was now able to manage, protect and offer all of these sea trout rivers to anglers at home and abroad. There may not be many sea trout rivers in Iceland, but some of the very best are all connected to the one river system in the south of the country. This mighty glacial river is called Skaftá. It is milky and murky, and hard to imagine if the trout can actually see anything at all in this water. The visibility is almost zero, but they still run up the murky water to return to their home rivers to spawn.
Skaftá is a runoff from the Vatnajökull glacier the biggest glacier in Europe. Along its journey downstream, the river splits east and west around a lava field called Eldhraun (fire lava). After the split, the west fork gets a new name, Kúðafljót, and the east keeps the name Skaftá. Kúðafljót has one main tributary called Tungufljót. A river widely known as one of Iceland's best sea trout rivers.
The Skaftá has several tributaries in the upper part that only hold a few sea trout, but the lower you get to the system the more tributaries and more the seatrout you will find. On its way along the lava field, the glacial water filters through the porous lava, this natural filtration allows the water to resurface as crystal clear
spring water. This water creates some gorgeous and prolific sea trout rivers.
One of the smaller ones, Grenlaekur, is a small stream that flows across the Madalland lava field before rejoining the skaftá again. The junction is about 300 metres before Skaftá meets the ocean. The next river that drains through the lava field is the Eldvatn, another crystal clear river full of sea trout that meets the ocean just 500 metres west of the Skaftá. Then there is Tungulaekur, a river with just a short fishing area due to an impassable waterfall that stops the fish from going any further. The Tungulaekur junction, on the west side of Skaftá, is close to the village of Kirkjubaearklaustur where you will find the Geirlandsá which is believed to be
the main spawning river in the system. Geirlandsa is an extremely beautiful and diverse river. The lower part is sandy and slow, but as you move up the river you get faster water with a gravel bottom until you reach the canyon section that concludes with a big waterfall called Hagafoss. Here the fish can go no further. The waterfall does not usually hold fish for a long time, they like to move around and that goes for all the canyon section. One day you hike
up the canyon and every pool is teeming with sea trout, the next they can all be gone. Even so, I would always hike up there because you never know when you are going to have a canyon full of big fish. The Geirlandsa is perfect for swinging flies both with double and a single handed rods. Sometimes I have the feeling god created this river for fly fishing, it is so beautiful! The fishable area is around 10km until it meets a little spate river called Horgsa. A small stream that holds only a few fish until very late in the season. After Geirlandsa meets the Horgsa the river changes name and is called Breiðbalakvísl. Just one kilometre east of the Horgsa is the Fossalar, like many of the rivers in this area it offers huge variety. Just to make things more challenging, it also changes it name three times along its length! Let's start in the upper part, beginning its course in the Miklafell mountain where it is called Öðulbrúará. This section runs mostly across a lava field, and at one point it disappears in a lava tunnel before joining a lake called Eyjarlón. From there, the river is called Þverrárvatn, and now flows along the edge of the Selfell mountain and the Brunahraun lava field on the east bank. The lava field is on the UNESCO heritage list so you can only imagine the beauty, with the view over the largest glacier in Europe Vatnajökull. After this, it reaches a hill called Battle Hill where it finally becomes the Fossalar until it reaches the junction of Vatnamót.
We try to make it simple and call the whole length the Fossalar River. The diversity is amazing, countless pools, pockets, and waterfalls. Normally the sea trout runs up to the Eyjarlón and no further. The Fossalar is ideal for trying many fishing techniques such as; swinging, nymphing, and occasionally surface fishing.
The last section of note is the Vatnamót or “Junction”, this is where the Geirlandsa, Horgsa, and Fossalar all meet the Skaftá and create a huge Junction. This fishery is different and special. The river bed is all sand and is constantly moving, so where there was a pool yesterday can be gone tomorrow. It reminds me a bit of flats fishing, lots of wading and looking for fish. Sometimes you can find pockets in the sand full of fish and the fishing can be amazing. The best spots are where the clear water meets the milky glacial water. The fish seem to like to sit in the
mix. Wading is not essential, as in the lower section the sea trout often sit tight to the banks. Vatnamót offers about five kilometres of fishable water, all the incredible vista of waterfalls, mountains, and the biggest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.
We mainly just swing flies here; it is perfect water for fishing with double handed rods. Single handed rods can of course be used too. The sea trout in this system are all native and have been here for thousands of years, they
are strong and special. Over time they have endured many volcanic eruptions, big glacial floods and lava flows. This might have something to do with the strength of these fish. Not many knew how good the sea trout fish-
ing in Iceland actually was. Many of these rivers had been in the hands of local fishing clubs for up to fifty years with very few outsiders getting a glimpse. The clubs largely killed what they caught, but fortunately today we manage the
“these fish can survive a long time and return to the rivers 11 times or more.”
system with a focus on catch and release fishing and it is working. Even in a short time, we have seen the fish grow both in numbers and sizes each year.
Unlike the Atlantic salmon, these fish can survive a long time and re-
turn to the rivers 11 times or more. Usually, the sea trout return two or three times before they reach maturity. They don't travel long distances in the ocean and usually stay close to the junction, travelling no further than 70km. The first ones start run-
ning in July, but the main runs are in September. They stay over winter in the river and go back to sea at the end of May. Then they're back in the fall. Unlike the salmon, they are constantly feeding, also in the river. So, in my opinion, it is not right to call them kelts in the spring as they are still feeding and most of the time in good shape after the winter. If they are kelts, then all trout are kelts in the springtime. In 2022, we began tagging sea trout in the system in a collaboration with the fish biologist Jóhannes Sturlaugsson at Laxfiskar (www. laxfiskar.is). We have now tagged 184 sea trout and caught quite a few of them again. It is amazing to see firsthand how fast they grow;
we have seen them grow up to 15 cm in a year! I know it sounds unbelievable, but it is a fact. There movements are also quite unique, one of the fish I caught in late October 2022 in Fossalar, was then caught again on 11 April 2023 in Geirlandsá. This fish had gone down Fossalar into Vatnamot and up Geirlandsá. It was surprising to see the fish there, dispelling the
theory about fish only returning to its home river. I am excited about the research we are doing on those fish because they are completely unique.
The combination of the rivers we now call the Battle Hill Fishery. When fishing at Battle Hill we fish mainly three rivers; Fossálar, Geirlandsá and Vatnamót. Trips run for six days and rotate between the rivers throughout the week. Anglers can expect to catch fish anywhere from 2-30lb, you never know what size is going to intercept your fly. We also catch a few Atlantic salmon every fall, up to and over 20lb.
INDIA QUEST FOR HIMALAYAN GOLD
It had been a long-held dream of mine to go to India, but why? Mostly because I love travelling. Visiting Nepal gave me an introduction to this part of the world and with that, a desire to explore further. I particularly enjoy roaming remote corners of the globe world in pursuit of fish that many wouldn’t think of targeting, in this case, golden mahseer. The combination of a country so rich in history and culture, coupled with very remote fishing, targeting a little-known species, proved irresistible.
My journey in India started at Indira Ghandi International Airport in Delhi, a gleaming expanse
of glass, polished brass and miles and miles of carpet. It is easy to navigate around and quick to get through. With several entry forms to complete before you land you will add quite a few new stamps to your passport before you are finished with formalities. As you step out of the cool and quiet airport building, you step into a very different world. It is a world of noise and heat, of colour and a kaleidoscope of smells. As you travel through the seemingly chaotic traffic, this wonderful and vibrant city unfolds around you and I was delighted that my flight schedule meant that I had a little time to explore.
There is so much to see so do make time if you can.
From the majestic Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the serene Lotus Temple, with its striking lotus-shaped architecture and tranquil ambiance. The towering Qutub Minar, an ancient Islamic monument, and Humayun's Tomb, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, are must-visit attractions that transport you back in time. The bustling streets of Chandni Chowk, with its colourful markets and street food, provide a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and flavours. For a spiritual experience, visitors can explore the historic Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, or visit the tranquil gardens of Lodi Gardens, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city. Do visit Raj Ghat, a beautifully laid out memorial to Mahatma Ghandi. The gardens surrounding the memorial are beautiful and with the hustle and bustle of the main road behind you, it is incredibly peaceful.
Leaving Delhi behind, the five hour train journey took us through fields landscaped by barley, rice and wheat. At my journey’s end, I was handed over to my driver for the trip up to Ramganga River Lodge. Set high on a bluff overlooking the Ramganga, the camp has beautiful views in either direction. The opposite bank of the river is part of the buffer zone of Corbett National Park. Floating lines and lighter flies were the order of the day and although we had been warned that sight fishing for mahseer is a tough game, we made our way down to the river, past the temple (offering a short prayer as I passed) and across the boulders to the clear waters of the Ramganga. We could see the mahseer but they weren’t interested in anything presented to them; stripping fast or stripping slow didn’t entice them at all as I worked my way down the bank. We saw several fish rise and one jumped at one point but with the light beginning to fade, I made my way back up to the lodge. The dogs were returning from their afternoon rambles to have their leopard collars fitted for the night. Sitting round a fire and chatting is a such an easy pleasure and with the clear sky and a canopy of stars above, one that is hard to beat.
The following morning took me into Jim Corbett National Park, India’s oldest park, established in 1936 to provide a safe haven for the endangered Bengal tiger. It is very diverse; in part hilly and heavily forested. In part marshy with riverine belts and with open grasslands surrounding an enormous lake. In days past, you could fish within the park boundaries but that is no longer possible.
Leaving Corbett behind, we set off for the river on a road that wound around and around past vertical cultivation that must have taken generations to achieve. Wild cherry trees, apple and apricot shared space with wild mangos. The terraced hillsides way to hillsides covered with towering Scottish pines introduced by the British for lumber. Rhododendron trees towered amongst the pines, covered in deep red blossom and as we climbed we were aware that the air was getting cooler. One last night on the journey to the river, hot water bottles were much needed.
This last leg of our journey was to the Saryu and Mahakali rivers and their beautiful, armour plated golden mahseer. We left early,
climbing higher with the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas with Everest to our left. The mountainsides changed to smaller, indigenous pines which gave way to terraces with flocks of grazing sheep. Eventually, we wound down and down until finally we arrived at the police check point - the river is the border with. A short but steep walk had us down on the riverbank to be for the short journey across the river to camp.
Camp is very simple; Meru style tents, all with twin beds, covered porches front and back, fresh long drop loos (your flush is your shovel), shower tents and a bucket bath tent. There is a central dining area, with one long communal table and on slightly lower ground, the evening fire. There is plenty of iodised water for hand washing, anti-bacterial soap and, at night, a hot water bottle if you would like one. We settled in and tackled up after lunch and after a short siesta, headed out for about two hours on the stretch of the Saryu immediately in front of camp.
Up at 0700 with breakfast at 0800, we were ready to fish by 0900. With four fishing, we had a guide each and parted company to fish our separate beats. I was fishing the confluence of the Saryu and the Mahakali. For mahseer fishermen, this confluence is as famous as the Junction Pool on the Tweed is to British salmon fishermen. On our side of the river was the temple with prayer flags flying gently in the breeze which carried with the scent of incense and of curries cooking. On the other side of the river a ghat, a series of steps leading down to the river, also of spiritual significance. From my perch above the confluence, you could clearly see the difference in colour; the Kali was a milky green against the coffee coloured Saryu.
Tackling up the previous afternoon, I had quickly realised that I was going to have another challenge on my hands – that of casting heavy sinking lines, with heavy tube flies on my Hardy Proaxis 7#. It was a short and painful learning curve! Working the fly and fishing the pool down, I felt a hard bump and reacted with a hard strip strike; perfect for the bonefish it felt like but not much good on a mahseer. As my fly reached the end of its next swing, I stripped once and had another massive hit. Much harder this time, it felt like a small GT had just hit my fly. Lifting the rod,
I got the line back on the reel and let the fish run. Run it did and it took me straight into my backing. Showing no signs of stopping it headed right down past the confluence and into the Mahakali.
Not looking forward to running after it across the boulder field, I was determined not to lose this fish and equally determined not to break an ankle. Just as I thought I was going to have to boulder hop, it slowed and with the backing eventually retrieved, we had few more short runs and a last wee tussle before I was able to bring it to the bank. I was truly taken aback by the beauty and the depth of its colour. Using a line tray or stripping basket is highly recommended as your line will wrap around just about everything it can.
We had a different plan for the following day and watching the sun rise over Nepal, while walking down to the river was really very beautiful. I was on the other side of the river that morning, fishing the right hand bank of PJ’s pool down to the confluence. After a quiet morning, I started the afternoon where I had stopped in the morning and worked down to the bottom of the run. As my fly stopped swinging, I stripped once, short and fast, and bang. Fish on. However this fish didn’t run. It sulked. Short bursts were followed by a tussle which became a tug of war. A smaller fish at 6 lbs, it actually made me work harder! It was a beautiful fish with lovely colouring on is
belly, still a juvenile with its lighter colouring and bigger fins.
The following morning we were on the move; heading down to the fly camp on the Mahakali for the night. It is a wonderful 10 km drift with a few grade I rapids to keep you cool. Along the way, you see the marks on the wall that the mahseer make when they are scratching for alternative food sources. We saw snow trout rising but they are best targeted on dry fly. With the visibility so poor the guides thought that our efforts would be better spent on mahseer. After an afternoon with only two small mahseer the clear skies, twinkling stars and the lonely evening song of the Nightjar were a wonderful end to what had been an extraordinary journey. Would I go back? Absolutely. I came away from a tented camp operation, on the Indian and Nepalese border, that has no electricity, no Wi-Fi, no cell phone cover and fish that are difficult and challenging on a good day far more impressed than I have been with operations that have all the bells and whistles you could want.
I hope that, like me, you will be inspired to try something different. To push your boundaries as an angler. To travel somewhere new with an open mind. I loved every second of my journey and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
RACHEL LEE ART IN FISHING:
ART OF FISHING: RUDOLF W. FALTIS
Hello, my name is Rachel Lee and I am an artist from South Korea who now resides in New Zealand. My passion for drawing characters from comics began at the age of nine and has been a part of my life ever since. I am a graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland.
After completing my studies, I returned to South Korea where I pursued a career in the IT industry, which was more prominent at the time. My ultimate goal was to design game characters, and I was fortunate enough to land a job at a video game company. I worked there for a few years before meeting my husband, Sean. We now have three daughters and have returned to New Zealand to raise our family.
My husband is my biggest inspiration, as he has a personality that is the perfect opposite of mine. His love for the outdoors has motivat-
ed me to draw various fish species, as they all appear to be unique characters with their own histories waiting to be discovered through my art.
My latest challenge has been capturing the beauty of brown trout and rainbow trout, with their contrasting colours and unique characteristics. Their strength and beauty have brought my art to life.
Overall, my passion for art and drawing has remained a constant in my life, and I am grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to pursue my passion.
Fabian Fingerlos is a 28-year-old photographer and fly angler from Austria, where he spends most of his days pursuing peace and happiness on his favourite waters. With his camera in one hand and the fishing rod in the other, he takes wonderful pictures to
share how beautiful our nature and all its creatures are. Fabian was more than happy to answer some questions and share his wisdom and experience. You can find more of Fabian’s work on his website: www.byhighflyers.com or on his Instagram page: @by.highfl
Can you share how you first got involved in fly fishing and what your very first experience was like?
About 10 years ago I was mostly lure fishing for pike in a bigger lake nearby. To be honest, I was addicted and never thought about fly
fishing. For me it seemed always a bit weird, stripping the fly line by hand and not using your spool. The lake was fed by a river. Well, it actually was a small creek which was pretty hidden in the woods. One day a friend of mine showed me fly fishing in this little creek, which actually held some decent fish,
especially when the water levels were high. My friend showed me how to cast and of course he showed me dry fly fishing on sight. That was the moment I was hooked. One week later I got my own fly rod and started teaching myself.
That was the moment I was hooked
Living in Austria, can you share your favoritespeciestotargetontheflyandthewaters youmostenjoyfishing?
In Austria we actually have a big variety of fish to catch on a fly rod, but my favourite species by far are native brown trout and grayling. I love to explore small hidden mountain creeks, which require a bit of climbing and hiking. Sometimes those hidden spots hold the most magnificent fish. But I also like to fish medium sized rivers for grayling. A good friend of mine, Martin Schoissengeier has some awesome fishing areas. If you plan to visit Austria, you should definitely check out his waters at: https://ffmh.at/
I do fish for pike from time to time, but as it mostly requires a boat, I don’t do it that often.
What I really like during summer, is to fish for chub using big hopper or bug imitations. This works pretty fine in our lakes. Also, barbel are super fun to catch.
Whataresomeofyourfavoriteflypatterns, and do you prefer fishing with dry flies or nymphs?.......................................................
For our mountain creeks, the go to fly is definitely the Goddard caddis as it is an excellent swimmer. My preferred nymph for grayling is the Perdigon nymph. To be honest I am neither a dry fly nor a nymph guy. Depends on my mood and location. I really like nymph fishing in difficult currents, where you have to place your nymph with a parachute cast in the right location to get it down and mend a lot, so it doesn’t drag. If you do that right, and you got a lot of line out, laying on the surface in a nice loop and you get a bite, that’s probably the best
feeling. But of course, as I already mentioned, dry fly fishing in small mountain creeks can also be thrilling when you suddenly see a native brown smashing your dry fly.
Well, photography gives me the possibility to capture moments and scenery. To preserve memories and to be able to show others how beautiful our nature and its creatures are. It’s just super fun to shoot while by the water and seeing the result back home while editing. It can be both challenging, to shoot the perfect picture like you have it in your head and to catch the fish that you spotted in the shallow waters. That’s why I don’t want to miss anything of those two.
explore small hidden mountain creeks
Whatdoyoutypicallycarryinyourcamera bag, and which lenses are your favorites? Are there any essential items you always have withyouasaphotographer?
That’s a good question. Because as a photographer I am always carrying too much equipment around. I take a couple of lenses, but at the end of the day, I often end up just using the same setup as always. So, when going fishing I reduce my equipment a bit, because it gets rather heavy to carry it the whole day around. The camera I am using is a Sony Alpha 7 Series. My favourite lens while fishing is the Tamron 1728mm F2.8 lens. With 17mm you get a good wide angle for nature photography, and 28mm is perfect for fullbody or fish pictures. The second lens I carry around is either a Sony 85mm F1.8 for portraits or a Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Tele lens. The second one is my new love, because a tele lens gives your pictures some cool looks.
Whoinspiresyourworkthemost?
My good friend Florian Lustig. He is self employed as a videographer and also a fly fishing nerd like me. We are always pushing each other and working on projects together. Last year we filmed a fly fishing film in Austria which is called “The Flyfishing Cult” and it is currently shown at the Rise Fly Fishing Film Festival. We always have new ideas in our heads, and this keeps our creativity going.
Theworldisconstantlychanging,andour planetlooksverydifferenttodaythanitdiddecades ago. What actions do you think fly anglers can take to help make a positive impact amidst these changes?...... ........................ I am 28 years old, probably too young to see those mature changes. But what stands out is that we have had a lot of flood events in the last few years on the one hand and also a lot of dry periods on the other hand. So, weather extremes are definitely increasing and affect fish and river systems. We cannot really change these big things on our own, but we can still take care of our environment, for example not throwing away any garbage in the countryside. If you find trash from someone else, just grab it and take it to the next trash can. Keep our wilderness areas clean, so our next generation can enjoy it the same way we are doing now.
Is there a song in your mind that would matchyourperfectmomentwhilestandingin yourfavouritewaterwaitingforafishtograb thefly?
Definitely a chill song like Campfire from Ziggy Alberts.
What would be the most valuable advice you could pass on to the young generations, bothasaphotographerandaflyangler? Don’t go out with the intention that you have to catch the biggest fish or take the perfect picture. Go out to calm yourself down. Life is busy enough. Enjoy the moments in nature, soak in the good energy and the big fish and good pictures will come on their own.
That was the moment I was hooked
COLLECTING FISHING RODS
ly, studying the sector well and not venturing into purchases without having the right skills. Remember that in collecting there is no mercy for others, and nothing gives more satisfaction to an expert collector and trafficker than giving you a "rip-off." This term indicates a rod that can be rebound, repainted, with ferrules arranged as best as possible, with non-original replacement loops, redone writings, etc., all elements that make your purchase worth close to zero.
Another piece of advice that I feel like shouting out is, your rod is not an investment! If you have money to invest, buy something else but not fishing rods. You will immediately realise this when you try to resell your antique rod. Once you have chosen the type of rods you want to collect, I recommend a rack display in which to store them. There is nothing sadder than seeing a row of PVC pipes with rods inside
that you have to extract from their cases every time you want to admire them. If you don't have space for a rack, hang them in a wardrobe, inserting the two thinnest parts into the case, taking care not to tighten the laces too much. I have seen many beautiful rods with the tip having taken the shape of the handle because this precaution had not been taken.
At this point, the question that must be asked is the following: do I buy rods that I occasionally use for fishing or just showcase pieces that I admire and don't use? This is a personal choice. I'm just saying that buying a fishing rod and not using it, no matter how beautiful or expensive it is, is an affront to the manufacturer. My friend Giorgio Dallari, a great manufacturer of briar reels, often had this problem, and when a customer said the famous remark "they are so beautiful that it's a shame to use them," he surely would provoke some bad words from Gi-
orgio. Furthermore, by using these relics, you will immediately realise how superfluous it is to have the latest model of a carbon rod.
An ancient rod, made of Greenheart or bamboo or another material, still has many emotions to give: in the fishing action, in the beauty of a photo with a beautiful fish next to it, and in the small gestures when assembling it or putting it back in the case. These are the great pleasures of fishing. Treat it well and one day it will give you one last emotion, when you give it to your child.
PEACOCK BASS in Amazon
They call the Marie River “Rio de Gigantes” or “River of Giants” and the 500-mile long tributary of the Amazon River seems to produce the trophy size peacock bass to prove that moniker each year.
The Marie is a true trophy fishery and not one that yields huge numbers of fish. Anglers who want to focus on the smaller butterfly peacock bass can catch quite a few two to six pounders in the near-shore cover. While the fishing can be tough for constant activity, the remote waters do yield a higher percentage of 20lb peacock bass than most every other river in the Amazon.
On my most recent trip to the Amazon, I visited the Marie for the first time. After 60 trips to the Brazilian jungle, I have fished around 40 different rivers with fairly good success. Outfitters Rodrigo Salles joined me on the venture to help me check out their trophy-focused operation. Since my interests lie in giant peacock bass, I was excited to have a crack at the Marie. It didn't take long to find out the waters did hold some big fish. Fishing with a Brazilian angler, we caught many butterfly peacocks on day one and I managed a 13lb speckled peacock. We found out at dinner that night that one of our friends on the trip caught two giants that weighed 22lb each, and there were a few others in the mid-to-upper teens taken that day.
Anglers fly directly to the mothership, called Untamed Amazon, on a chartered Cessna Caravan float plane from Manaus which takes about one hour. The river, whose headwaters are near the Colombian border, is one of the most remote peacock bass fisheries in South America. It lies on the protected Rio Marie Indian Reserve which includes the main river, its two major tributaries, and dozens of lagoons and oxbow bays. Fishing here requires a permit and approval of the Native Indian Communities (composed of the Bare, Baniwa and Tukano ethnic groups) and the Brazilian government, and Untamed Angling entered into the exclusive sport fishing agreement years ago.
“We were under strict guidelines imposed by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) the first two seasons, and they endorsed an expanded fishing zone over the past two seasons which includes the entire river drainage including all of the Marie tributaries,” says Untamed. “We are able to manage the fishery by rotating our minimal fishing pressure between six river sectors: Upper Turi, Lower Turi, Rubo River, Upper Marie, headwaters of Marie, and the Lower Marie. That's more than 600 miles of exclusive-access water, the biggest exclusive peacock bass fishing reserve in the Amazon. We have a strict catch and release policy.
The high mobility of our shallow-draft mothership combined with the ability to fly in directly via float planes to any part of our fishing reserve lets us manage the fishery better. We navigate on average about 80 to 130 miles each week to fish new waters daily.
The Marie watershed is a headwaters system of
the Rio Negro and as a result, water level fluctuations are not as severe as they tend to be on other tributaries.
That means less impact on fishing success.”
Untamed Angling also limits the fishing pressure, accommodating only eight to ten anglers per week in the eight double-occupancy staterooms onboard the 92-foot long Untamed Amazon. The spacious, three-floor live-aboard yacht with air conditioning throughout is a very comfortable mobile floating lodge offering side-by-side twin beds in each room along with private bath rooms and hot showers. Large floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows along the exterior wall of each stateroom opens up the jungle view to those inside. To take advantage of its equatorial location, the moth -
ership's roof deck is lined with solar panels to generate 100% solar power for the vessel.
The seven-foot wide aluminum bass boats had large flat decks forward and aft that were comfortable to fish from. The 90-hp outboards easily powered the boats throughout the watershed. The weather, as is usual, was hot and most anglers took a dip or two during the day in the cooler river waters off one of the abundant sandbars scattered along it.
The fishing season established on the exclusive Rio Marie Indian Reserve runs from September to mid-January. Fishing is limited to fly fishermen only during the first 12 weeks of the season and is then open to “mixed” or conventional tackle (spinning and baitcast) anglers for four weeks. Due to being later in the season, the fishing area for the mixed weeks is limited to the lower Marie River zone only, a different area to that where fly fishing is practised.
To preserve the Indian culture at the 14 communities along the Marie River system, a Native Community Fee is required from each angler. The fees are used for social projects, infrastructure development, transportation, medical and educational projects.
For complete information on package inclusions and exclusions, tackle restrictions, trip availability and costs, contact Untamed Angling at rodrigo@untamedangling.com or visit website www.marieriver.com.
