I've been looking for/through various fly fishing clubs and basically there are two types. The clubs that organise events and those that don't. The one that organise trips go to interesting places (well Austria, I suppose if you'r into the sound of music it's OK) but judging by the photos none are under the age of 75. I like to travel a bit to fish but the idea of sitting down to a schnitzel pomfrites and a halbe mineral mit with my grandmother does not appeal to me.
Is there anyone here who would be interested in forming/joining a Swiss Trout Bum club? Call yourself a man? PM me.
I would be interested in participating in something like this, but I left all of my gear in the US. Its possible that I can bring it here, but I haven't yet.
I'd be up for something like this too, would be good to share experiences, rivers , lakes etc, I am in Thurgau , east Switzerland, flyfishing for many years, albeit only doing the SANA test in switzerland now, but looking forward to getting back into it.
The Zurisee isn't badly stocked - whitefish are a favourite - and if you are fishing from the shore there are lots of guys hanging around the various little harbours from which you can take your lead. Thalwil looks to be a promising place.
If you are going on the Limmat there is an island where the gays go for thrills - well around there (in the water that is) is the best part for trout - apparently. You do know that the Limmat is divided up into several beats?
I've seen quite a few people fishing on Zurisee last weekend (no fly fishers), but haven't seen anyone actually catching anything.
Please let us know how it goes on Limmat. Where do you get the license from?
I wonder if there is any book on flyfishing in Switzerland (in English ). Probably not. It's hard to find out about good fishing places and regulations.
There is an excellent post with quite a lot of useful information here:
Am I getting this right that it's illegal to be fishing here without having a net, a priest and a knife, even on the free waters not subject to licensing?
There are no waters not subject to licensing. There are waters on which you have the right to fish, from the bank, with a single rod and a few other rules, without paying for the privilege. In ZH that is the three big lakes, Bern, for instance, includes a couple of the bigger rivers as well.
Most Cantons have a webpage, also in English, with the free fishing rights listed.
There are a couple of lakes up in the mountains which are fun and stunning - Melchsee Fruit (sp?) and there is a good privately owned fisheries lake (catch and release!!) as well - if I find the details I'll let you know.
On these waters, do you still have to have a landing net and a priest? From what I understood, it's a requirement in the federal regulations, even if I don't expect to take any fish.
I couldn't find any official information in English for Zurich. It's a pity there is no web page listing all waters in Switzerland allowing free fishing, with tackle restriction details.
It's great to hear there are still places promoting catch and release. I thought it was banned in Switzerland.
You are not allowed to go fishing with the intention of releasing the fish, ergo fish you catch are to be killed for which you need a net for which you get them close enough to use a priest and knife. Bring the kit - the fines are expensive.
We are in Switzerland, anything that looks interesting costs more.
But I know what you mean - its a serious pain. There is an occasional poster who has set up a google maps site with some beats and where to get the day licenses. If I find it I'll post it.
They aren't, it is - they set the limits higher and they don't approve of meat fishing, draw your own conclusions.
A lot of fishermen will make a choice - anything close to the limit, anything that looks overwintered, anything that looks as if it deserves life goes straight back in. Anything thats obviously from a hatchery can go into the creel.
I would like to know some thing about hobby fishing in Switzerland. Information like is a license must for fishing. where I can fish. What kind rod or spool I need to use. Can I cast distance. Please send me some links as well
Your questions aren't so easily answered, I'm afraid.
You don't always need a license for certain kinds of fishing in certain lakes, but like everything else, that varies from canton to canton. On the Vierwaldstättersee, since you're in Luzern, I believe that you can fish from the shore, using a natural bait like a worm or grub, with a single hook, without using a license. Anything else and you'll have to get a license. Plenty of other lakes in Switzerland allow simple shore fishing for free (Freiangelrecht) with small variants in what is and what isn't allowed. You have to make sure you know the rules for whatever body of water you plan to fish.
Also, depending on the canton and the length of the license purchased (day,week, month, year, etc.) you might need to take a SaNa course.
I don't really know what you're asking in terms of distance casting. And what type of rod or reel you use is entirely dependent on where you're fishing, what type of fishing you're doing, and what you're fishing for.
It's an old, old post, I know, but... has this effort gone any further? I am truly interested in getting involved in a serious fishing club in Switzerland, preferably in English (or Portuguese or Spanish).
Also, I'm a catch-and-release fisherman myself, which probably puts me in a position to fish anywhere but in Switzerland, which is fine. I read about fishing/fly-fishing in Alsace, Austria and some other exquisite places and I'm deeply interested in this, too. It would be nice to have buddies in Switzerland to then venture in these better places to fish.