I have started my journey with that fish over a decade ago. It wasn’t easy to get the first one. Back then, there was not much information or know-how to be found. Especially when it comes to fly fishing. I met my dear friend Rok Sparovec then, and he opened my eyes, as well as many other anglers` eyes. I started catching Hucho regularly. Then I became a member of Radovljica fishing club which holds the actual Huchen Kingdom in Europe. I started guiding for Hucho in the wintertime. Guiding became a full-time job, putting me in a `never-out-of-season` situation.
I joined Sora Fishing Club to offer my clients a variety of possibilities and some smaller water for beginners. In 2020, despite the COVID-19 situation, I caught Hucho in almost every Balkan country. To be precise, in Bosnia on the Una and Sana Rivers, in Montenegro in the Lim River, in Croatia on the Kupa & Kupica rivers and in Slovenia on the Sava and many of its tributaries. I became and am now a Ghostbuster – a Hucho hunter. My main job is to help other more or less experienced ghostbusters fulfil their dreams and catch their first, their next, or their biggest Huchen.
I was privileged to fish this trout season with Guideline representative and ambassador Christopher Rownes. We had some real adventure catching big Brown trout in Greece & Bulgaria. I was excited when Chris suggested that I should join the Guideline team and become their ambassador. For many years, I sought a company to combine forces with. I did not want just a sponsorship or a pro deal. I tried to find a team of people who stand behind their products and are dedicated to fly fishing on a religious level. I am so glad I found what I was looking for, and I am so proud to be a Guideline ambassador now!
The salmon season ended in October, and my Hucho guiding started at the beginning of November. I don’t think that what happened was just a coincidence. Chris & Ivan came to fish for Hucho with me, and Chris caught the first fish for the season. Testing the New Guideline NT 11 prototype Switch Rod, he hooked a massive fish. After an emotional fight, I netted Chris` huchen- the biggest freshwater fish he had ever caught! A giant 120 cm beast of a Huchen. What a moment to remember for a lifetime!
A few weeks later, I had the prototype to test personally! It was an excellent moment. The water level was dropping after the floods. My clients Daniel and George caught five fish in two days and lost a few. I had the chance to fish for a few hours the following day. I reached a nice deep curve of the river. It took work to execute the cast that was needed. There were trees behind, and I needed to wade deep. I am totally in love with my HD Sonic Waders because they are really high, and I could never wade that deep with any other waders I had before.
I made my cast effortlessly, the streamer went into its swing, and I felt the take of the fish. It wasn’t as brutal as someone might expect. Big Huchos takes rather gently as it doesn’t cost them much effort. I strip stroke and felt and realized I had hooked a giant fish. After a few minutes of intense fighting, the ghost of my dreams was in the net. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was one of the most beautiful specimens I have ever seen! I caught the first fish for this season and a second fish that is pushing the 50 lbs mark in my net. I can`t ask for more than that!
In the next ten days, I did a lot of guiding, and we caught more Hucho, and more happy faces were memorized. At the end of the trip, I had some time to fish myself and caught two more fish with the Guideline NT 11 prototype rod. I find the rod excellent for Hucho fishing on small and medium-sized rivers. A proper Double-hander would do better for the big river if a giant Hucho is hooked.
NT11 Switch er designet for fiske etter migrerende og anadrome fiskearter. Bygget med det nyeste innen stangteknologi. Stengene representerer det beste innen kvalitet og ytelse. De har en svært responsiv aksjon med en dyp bøyningskurve som er en ren fornøyelse å kaste med.
Les merNT11 Switch 6-PC
10 499.00 NOK
Guideline 3D+ Compact Skyteklumper re-definerer begrepet "lettkastet". En kortere skyteklump som kommer i vektklasser som dekker det meste av fisket for enhånds-, switch- og tohåndsstenger.
Les mer3D+ Compact
999.00 NOK
Lett, stabil og praktisk vadestav i grafitt som slår seg sammen automatisk når du trekker den ut av futteralet. Staven har stum innerkjerne som låser effektivt i utslått stilling slik at delene ikke glir fra hverandre.
Les merFoldable Carbon Wading Staff
1 399.00 NOK
Guideline Loft Jacket er et ideelt plagg for hele fiskesesongen. Den er dessuten en ypperlig fritidsjakke. Jakken har svært lavt pakkvolum og kan pakkes sammen i innerlommen for minimalt volum når du er på tur.
Modellen vår er 184 cm / 78 kg (6´1 "/ 172 lbs) og har på seg størrelse Medium.
Loft Jacket
1 999.00 NOK
Here is what I have used so far this season and my honest opinion on it!
RODS
For fishing small and medium size rivers – Guideline NT Switch rod 11 8/9wt! This is the heavy artillery in the NT11 Switch range, designed to cope with tough waters, heavy lines, and big fish. But this while still being a suitable rod in tight conditions and mid-sized rivers, whether which is often the case during hucho fishing. Despite its significant power, you will still experience a very nice and light feeling when casting and fishing with it. If you prefer single-handed rods the Guideline LPX Coastal from 10 to 12 wt is excellent for the job.
REELS & LINES
Both Switch and single-handed rods I combine with the Guideline Vosso 9/11 reel which is an absolute Gem and I can't wait to try it on my next saltwater trip as well. I have 300 meters, 60 lbs strength of PE8 backing on each reel. The main rule I strictly follow is that the backing must be stronger than the running line, which should be stronger than the fly line or shooting head, which should be stronger than the leader. The breaking point is always on the knot we use to tie the fly. Non-slip mono knot for the streamers tied on hooks or uni knot for the ones tied on tubes. For the running line, I use the Compline II Flat Mono Shooting line in 42lbs or 50lbs strength. The fly lines I use are ULS 3D+ S3/S5/S7 18 grams for my single-handed rods or 3D+ Compact Shooting heads for a switch and double-handers. The sinking rate depends on the water level. The speed of the stream and the fly we want to use. Usually, for the baitfish streamer imitations, I use the fastest sinking line possible, and for mice, rats and other surface patterns, I use a floating shooting head. For the leader I use one and a half meters of 0,37mm to 0,435mm Egor+ Fluorocarbon. I use a double Bimini twist knot for the loop of my leader and connect it loop to loop to the shooting head.
ACCESSORIES
When it comes to Hucho fishing we all know that staying warm and dry in those cold weather conditions is of great importance. I consider the Guideline Thermo Fleece Bib an absolute must-have! The Glacier wading socks are also very warm and comfortable. All the Lofth Clothing are really keeping me warm. For the headwear, I use the Black gnat beanie and for my hands, I use the Fingerless FIR-SKIN gloves, which are incredibly light and warm. Don’t forget to remove your gloves when taking a picture with the fish, please! Another very useful accessory I always carry with me for myself or my clients is the Foldable Carbon Wading Staff. I also prefer the Experience support belt as it really protects my back. We all want to fish for many more seasons to come, don’t we? Everything else I need, like thermoses with tea & coffee, big boxes with flies, spare clothes, lunch & snacks and all the rest of it I carry in my ULBC Day pack. There is no bad weather there is just bad equipment. If we prepare properly the hard winter Hucho fishing can actually be turned into a joyful experience! It is never too easy to get the King but all the efforts are worth it when the stars align and we see our dream catch in the net. Follow your dreams, learn from the mistakes, seize the moment and never give up! It is all about the experience!
After a long morning of fishing in the cold winter weather noting beats a riverbank lunch from the portable barbecue!
The picturesque rural settings of Slovenia is a beautiful place to fish.
The last light of the day is a great time.