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Fly Fishing on the Ager

The fast current and the high amount of oxygen present have the effect in the Ager that all significant aquatic insects are numerous, while the freshwater shrimp is the most important food-source bottom dweller.

 
Already in February in this river there can be a massive hatch of mayflies like Baetis Rhodani, and these are followed in April by the not less important Ecdyonurus Venosus (March Brown). Later on we get the Rhithrogena and from June on, the big classic mayflies (Ephemera).
 
Even the larger stonefly species with a body length of up to 4 cm. are present on the fast-flowing sections of the Ager.
 
In early summer the first caddis flies appear, and the first ones are the Rhyacophila and the Hydropsyche. In the warmer season the fish nourishment is provided by the Ephemerellas (Blue Wing Olives), and in the fall the emergence turns to the smaller mayfly- and stonefly species.
 
Even mosquitos play a significant role as fish nourishment, especially in winter.
 
In the Ager the following salmonids can be caught regularly with flies: Grayling, brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake-run brown trout.
 
Since the Ager is not a purely salmonid fishery because of its connection to the Attersee, there are other fish species like chubs, suckers and other diverse whitefish species. Although we don’t especially like it, there are also pike in the Ager which one can outwit with streamers.
 
Because of the heavy current and the wealth of nourishment at the surface, the Ager is a classic river for the dry fly, and the fish, especially in winter, prefer the smaller imitations.
 
The ideal rod length for successfully presenting both dry flies and nymphs is 270 cm. (9 ft.), and it should be a 5-weight.
 
Waders are recommended since many sections of the river cannot be fished without them.