| |
Little is said about Flyfishing in Greece, but the fact that you do find high and water-rich mountains on the mainland speak for itself. In fact, this is where a lot of my favourite rivers lie, due to an unspoilt nature, insect life and wild trout stocks and the sheer beautiness of the rivers. Licenses for any rivers are not required as the rivers do not belong to anyone and the authorities are not as strict about preserving trout stocks. Sadly, this has lead to overfishing on certain easy reachable rivers which has made trout shy and difficult to catch. It would certainly do the rivers good if someone would look after them. But on the other hand you are fishing for completely wild trout in a beautiful surrounding, and what else would you want?
There is no greek word for flyfishing and hardly anyone knows about it, though it is sometimes put off as "Angliko methodi" (English method). The local method is to cast a team of two or three simple flies on a spinning rod and a bobber.
Getting flyfishing equipment in Greece is a problem, so make sure to bring your own.
Aoos
The Aoos is a big river which has its spring in the Piges Aoou reservoir northwest of the pretty mountain village of Metsovo. The prime fishing stretch is roughly around Vovousa. Vovousa itself lies somewhat remote but there is a hotel near the river. Above Vovousa, the river flows through an open valley and the road runs next to it on the left riverbank. The river is quite broad with a lot of shingle banks and offers superb dry fly sport. The Valia Kalda national parc begins on the right bank, be careful because of bears! No kidding!
Below Vovousa the remains fishable for one or two miles until it vanishes into the great Aoos gorges where it is inaccesible and too wild to fish. At Konitsa, the old and beautiful stone bridge marks the end of the gorge. A few trout can be found at Bourazani after the confluence with the Voidomatis but chub and a few barbel dominate here.
 in extreme low water (Konitsa bridge)
Voidomatis
This is my absolute Greek favourite. The two headwaters meet at Kipi and flow off into the beautiful and stunning Vikos Canyon, which is claimed to be the guiness world record largest gorge, depth compared to width. Halfway in the gorge the river(called Vikos up here) partly sickers into the ground leaving only a wild little stream which may dry up in summer. Below the village of Vikos the river reappears and from now on it is called the Voidomatis. The water has filtered through layers of Chalk and Limestone and the pure, icy water has taken a vivid blue colour. It now flows through the second gorge. The river is rather calm for greek standards, flowing over shingle banks and calm pools. The trout stock in the gorge is magnificant, mainly because the gorge is part of the Vikos-Aoos national parc and fishing is not allowed here. South of Klidonia the river flows out of the gorge and from here onwards you may fish it. The river is still beatiful though the main road is quite nearby and it is heavily fished. Yet the trout are plentiful, because the river is "naturally restocked" with fish from th gorge. Dryfly works best here in the evening, but try a nymph if it is overcast and you will be surprised! The insect hatches ones this river are amazing. There are huge mayflies(1inch ore more wingspan-take some matching patterns), all sorts of duns, caddis and some huge stoneflies.
Near Klidonia there is a trout farm and below it you can also catch rainbow trout which have escaped and threaten the rivers brown trout stocks. Please keep them, if you catch them, they make a superb dish! The friendly people in the tavernas will cook them for you.
Acommodation is available right next to thr river, for instance at Fillipas rooms or the hotel Faraggi.
 
Kalamas or Thyamis
This lovely limestone river has its source near the Albanian boarder. It flows through the quiet, cultivated valleys east of Ioannina. Up here, it is a very calm river, offering interesting nymph and dryfly sport. This is around the villages between Kalpaki and Rodavgi. You can often spot rising fish, even in the middle of the daytime. The soil in the area is very rich, and the brown trout are medium sized, stought and fat. There are lots of minnows in the shallows so a streamer might be worth a try. Acess is very easy.
Behind Soulopoulo the river has created a beautiful deep gorge which is considered similar to the french Tarn gorge. The river is big here with some slow rapids and big, long pools changing with shingle banks. This is a popular place for the Greeks to have their picnic. The riverbanks are studded withe big, shady plain trees. In the more streamy bits there are surprisingly big trout lying behind the stones, and large and powerful mediterranean barble and chub in the pools.
The Kalamas reaches the sea at Igoumenitsa, an important ferry port to Italy.
Arachtos
This is another big river. Not that interesting for trout fishermen, but here you can catch your lifetime barble.
The Arachtos begins with the confluence of Metsovitikos and Vardas rivers near Baldouma. In Baldouma you can always spot huge barble lurking in the deep pools from the bridge. If you love cracking fights with this strong fish, please give nymphing for these barble a try. It will get you hooked, straight away...
The rather lazy river in Baldouma changes its appearance as it flows into the impressive Arachtos gorge. In this beautiful and stunning area you will also find the odd trout to accompany your sport. Again, whatch out for bears! A footprint is shown below...
Acommodation on this river is difficult, but it is only an hour drive from Ioannina.
  
Metsovitikos
Optically not really beautiful, this river has been quite disfigured by the new motorway in its lower section. I havn´t fished it yet, but a glance from the road toldme that there seems to be a reasonable valley section south of Votonosi. Acces probably via the road between Metsovo and Anthochori. The river is supposed to be a very good trout river. I would be very greatful for further information.
Kalaritikos
This is a superb little mountain stream in an impressive gorge just north of Pramanda. It lies fairly remote and holds lots of beautiful wild trout in all sizes. It is not overfished, either. The best bit for fishing is between the the stone bridge below the monastery of Kipina(bautiful, a must see) and the confluence with the Melisourgitiko. The Melisourgitiko´s water is milky and there is no point fishing the lower stretch, as it lies between gravel beds and dos not provide any hiding places for trout. Acces can involve some scrambling but it is worth it! Large dryflies and nymphs work equally well, but remember it is a small and very fast river.
  
Louros
This is quite a pretty little river, although its water is heavily used for the trout farms. This is also the reason why there are a lot of rainbow trout in the river, along with brown trout stocks. Again, please take any rainbow you catch because they bring parasites into the river.
The whole course of the river lies in a beautiful gentle wooded valley. It is fishable from Terovo (although it is very small here) to the village of Agios Georgios, where a dam with a lake and a mini-powerstation marks the end of the salmonid stretch. Around Agios Georgios there are also chub which will readily rise to a dryfly. Acommodation in Terovo or Arta (15 min drive to Agios Georgios). At Agios Georgios there is a beautiful roman viaduct spanning over the river.
Karpenisiotis
Unlike the othe rivers I have listed here, this one is in the southern mainland near the town of Karpenisi. It is a superb little stream for nymphing with a very light nymph. The trout are beautiful with their big red spots. The river is very pretty running through a deep wooded valley.
Access: at Dipotama, near the confluence with the Krikelopotamos. Fish upstream from here.
Acommodation: in Karpenisi, 20 min drive
 
Seafishing in Greece
Greece has got a stunning coastline, with sheer cliffs and sandy beaches and hundreds of islands in an azure blue sea. Sadly though, like the whole of the mediterranean greek waters have been suffering from overfishing. Anyway you have still got the possibility of spending a pleasant day on the beach and coming home with a nice fish for the evening table.
You will probably be fishing for smaller coastal species. Seabream and other small to medium-sized perch-like fish are caught over rocky seabed. Fish little bonefish-type patterns and strip them slowly.
The best chance of catching a larger, strong and quite palatable fish is by fishing for mullet, though they are very difficult to catch. Try green marabou flies(not too big!) in the dead drift, grease the leader so you can whatch for any movemants and strike at the instant bite. A crazy charle-type flie(with feathers covering the hook) will make it more difficult for the fish to see the hook and increse your chances. Fedding the mullet with bread will also make them less cautious. If the fish take bits of breadcrust off the surface you should fish a bread-coloured dryfly. But be careful not to become addicted!
 
Mullet, the greek bonefish version
In autumn big schools of garfish come into the slack water. They are fun to fish with little streamers but they are usually rather small.
|
|