Fly-fishing in Switzerland?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1

Hi!

Just joined the conversation at English Forum...

My wife and I are here (in Zurich) on an 8-month research stint at the ETH and have spent the last week settling in. Now I’m looking for a fly fishing buddy! I’m Canadian and an avid (some might say a little crazy) fisher. I lugged most of my gear to Switzerland and am looking for some info on licenses, seasons, fishing locations, etc.

2
I have no idea about Switzerland, I was just in the Jura area in France (not far from Switzerland) and they promote it as the fly fishing capital of Europe or such.

I am not a fly fisher though might be a hobby I take up in the future when my knees can no longer handle cycling or skiing.

By the way, welcome to the forum and Zurich.

3
now have a look at the very foot of the page & you will see all the similar discussions, we even have a member that runs a school & guiding.

whipcrackaway ...

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Thanks, Dakman. I'll do a little google-research on Jura.

5
Polorise....that's great...

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Hello Alwilner,

I am also an avid fly fisherman, except I am here in Vaud, quite far from you. Switzerland has some awesome fly fishing to be had especially in the rivers and small lakes. I have found the smaller mountain lakes to be more effective than trying the larger lakes, which require very different trolling-type techniqniques in very deep water.

The most important issue is to find a good fishing shop in your area. Even if you are a great fly fisherman, you must go a few times with a guide (especially on the rivers) to learn the unique conditions here. Trust me on this one.

You need a fishing licence for your canton, which you can get at the local "perfecture". Once again your fishing shop-owner can help you find it. It is valid for a year. But take care: you get a canton licence that is only valid for rivers; another seperate one for the lakes; and yet another for other lakes, some of the larger lakes are free - all within one canton! On some lakes you will need your licence as well as a seperate permit! Ha, ha, don't worry you will eventually learn all these things! I suggest you get the river licence which is also valid for small lakes in your canton.

The other thing about Switzerland is the very specific open and closed seasons for rivers vs. lakes, and for different species. You are only allowed to fish with one fly and all hooks must be barbless . And float-tubes are prohibited on most lakes except for the really large lakes. This I think is stupid but these are the rules.

The Swiss protect their rivers and trout very well, and this country can be a real paradise but you must gain local knowledge in order to be successful. I have learnt that trout in New Zealand, and trout in South Africa, and trout in the UK, and trout in Switzerland are all very different. But that is the mystery of fly-fishing.

I hope that helps. You are welcome to ask me more questions if you wish. Favourite flies etc.

Good luck.

7
I used to fish in lakes and rivers in the USA a long time ago. Not fly fishing, however, more the hook-and-worm/corn with floater. I have made some inquiries here (Zurich) about the legality of fishing, and what is required. I have learned that apparently single hook with bait fishing in lakes (i.e. Zurich See) requires no license at all. Fishing in rivers (i.e. the Limmat) is different, you have to buy a license. I don't know the restriction on fly fishing, however during 20 yrs here, I have never once seen anyone fly fishing here. Anyway, there is a great fishing shop just off Helvetiaplatz in Kreis 4 that has all the equipment you may need, plus they can also sell you the license for riverfishing for a particular stretch. The shop has been there for decades, very knowledgeable owner. This country is swarming with fish. Amazing that you don't see many people fishing. I think this is (freshwater) fish heavan

8
Give Jon a call, great fisherman.

Jon has just starting a fly fishing business here in Switzerland,

www.have-a-go-flyfishing.com , offering beginners days and soon to be added to the website will be guided days to mountain lakes and streams. If you would like any further information please contact me and I'll do my best to help.

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Does anyone know of a place to rent fly-fishing gear in Zurich or Basel?

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Try Pascale here upstreamfishing.ch

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That website seems to be down. Any other contact info?

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Pascal Zeller

+41338236088

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

13
I did, he couldn't.

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Ticino is probably the best location for fly fishing in CH. There's no test or anything required, but you have to purchase a permit (not too expensive, don't remember exact price). Check out: http://www.flyfishingparadise.eu/ind...mid=37&lang=en

15
Nothing really to add but this:

A redneck was stopped by a game warden recently with two ice chests of fish, leaving a river well known for its fishing.

The game warden asked the man, "Do you have a license to catch those fish?"

"Naw, my friend, I ain't got no license. These here are my pet fish."

"Pet fish?"

"Yep. Every night, I take these fish down to the river and let 'em swim around for awhile. Then I whistle and they jump right back into this ice chest and I take 'em home."

"That's a bunch of baloney! Fish can't do that!"

The redneck looked at the game warden for a moment and then said, "It's the truth. I'll show you. It really works."

"Okay, I've got to see this!"

The redneck poured the fish into the river and stood and waited. After several minutes, the game warden turned to him and said, "Well?"

"Well, what?" said the redneck.

"When are you going to call them back?"

"Call who back?"

"The fish!"

"What fish?"

16
Hello.

Are here any flyfishing spots that are good in winter season? I've just started to do it (had a beginners day with "Jon T" from this forum) and couple of times tried by myself, but now it's started kind of "dead season"... but may be there's "stock pond" or kind of just to go to have a rest and fly fishing in winter?

Thanks.

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If I am not mistaken, the prices in Ticino are:

The touristic license for 2 days:

a. only Lake of Lugano and Maggiore - CHF 30,-

b. all lakes and rivers - CHF 60,-

The touristic license for 7 days:

a. only Lake of Lugano and Maggiore - CHF 60,-

b. all lakes and rivers - CHF 120,-

Touristic license can be bought in the fishing shops. I know one in Lugano downtown (Ambrosini Fratelli) and one down in Noranco (Urwer).

The annual license can be obtained only after a fishing course, which takes place a couple of days a year (only in the first half) which you need to apply for IN ADVANCE! I was waiting for my invitation for the course for almost a year. But I got it now

19
Hi,

I need to get the license here in canton Vaud... anybody that cant point me to the right direction to obtain it?

Regards,

Palli

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Centre de conservation de la faune et de la nature, Chemin du Marquisat 1, 1025 St-Sulpice, 021 557 86 31, info.faunenature(at)vd.ch;)

I think.