Fishing for Huchen (Dunabe salmon)
The Huchen (Latin Hucho hucho) is the largest of the Salmonidae family, which lives in the Danube basin. Due to many human interventions into its natural habitat, the population lowered substantially through the years and it is listed as an endangered species. Because of that every country which has the Huchen in their waters is proud of it and takes numerous steps to protect its population. The Huchen was and still is one of the most renowned fish by fishermen for many years in Slovenia and as such has many nicknames, amongst them are the King of the water, fish of a thousand casts and the trophy of a life-time. For a long time in history only nobility and higher political functionaries were allowed to fish them. When fishing for Huchen was open to the common fishermen, heavy restrictions were set to protect its population. This care for the Huchen has been maintained to modern times and we can say that in Slovenia we have a healthy sustainable population of this magnificent fish.
Thu Huchen is known for its early rapid growth. In the first 3 years of its life it can grow up to 70 cm in length. The largest Huchen caught on a measure in excess of 130 cm and weigh over 25 kilos. In Slovenia most Huchen are caught on the following rivers: Sava, Ljubljanica, Krka, Kolpa and Savinja and their tributaries. It can also be found in a smaller extent in rivers Mura and Drava. The fishing season for Huchen in Slovenia is open from the 1st of October to the 14th of February in the next year. Some angling clubs open the season later or finish it sooner.
When fishing for Huchen, the following things are needed:
- Perseverance
- Proper equipment
- Proper location
PERSEVERANCE: It is not called the fish of a thousand throws in wane. It has specific eating habits – at night or when the weather is changing. At such times a large Huchen can hunt only for a short time for big prey and right after eating retreat to its hiding place and not care for any lure that passes its way. So it is important to find a Huchen that is still on the hunt. There is no guarantee that you will catch a Huchen, but there are indicators, which to an experienced guide can show if there can be a strike or not. Certainly you have to be persistent, search the waters and find a hungry fish.
PROPER EQUIPMENT: The equipment should be adapted to the fish you are fishing for and to the lure you are fishing with. Years of experience have shown our guides, which lures are suitable, so we recommend to our clients to use heavy Shads and foam Bullhead lures for fishing close to the bottom. The rod needs to be of a quite heavy action so you can throw heavy lures, read the bottom and of course to not buckle under heavy tension and stress these fish can create. We do not recommend wobblers on Ljubljanica, as they have proven to not be suitable lures, mostly because of the specific terrain.
PROPER LOCATION: The Huchen can be caught anywhere in the water, but certain hot-spots do exist where the frequency of bites is higher. A specialty of fishing for Huchen on the Ljubljanica River is the possibility of FISHING FROM A BOAT. With this method you can cover a large stretch of the river, reach otherwise inaccessible spots and not waste time moving from one fishing spot to another. Fishing on a boat allows FLY FISHING for huchen. As there is less chance of catching your lures in overcast trees and bushes around the boat, casts are a lot easier, even for novices. Of course this method has its own requirements when it comes to equipment, notably highlighted: a fly fishing rod at least AFTMA#9, a stripping basket, large enough streamers (minimum 10 cm) and fast sinking fly line.
Thu Huchen is known for its early rapid growth. In the first 3 years of its life it can grow up to 70 cm in length. The largest Huchen caught on a measure in excess of 130 cm and weigh over 25 kilos. In Slovenia most Huchen are caught on the following rivers: Sava, Ljubljanica, Krka, Kolpa and Savinja and their tributaries. It can also be found in a smaller extent in rivers Mura and Drava. The fishing season for Huchen in Slovenia is open from the 1st of October to the 14th of February in the next year. Some angling clubs open the season later or finish it sooner.
When fishing for Huchen, the following things are needed:
- Perseverance
- Proper equipment
- Proper location
PERSEVERANCE: It is not called the fish of a thousand throws in wane. It has specific eating habits – at night or when the weather is changing. At such times a large Huchen can hunt only for a short time for big prey and right after eating retreat to its hiding place and not care for any lure that passes its way. So it is important to find a Huchen that is still on the hunt. There is no guarantee that you will catch a Huchen, but there are indicators, which to an experienced guide can show if there can be a strike or not. Certainly you have to be persistent, search the waters and find a hungry fish.
PROPER EQUIPMENT: The equipment should be adapted to the fish you are fishing for and to the lure you are fishing with. Years of experience have shown our guides, which lures are suitable, so we recommend to our clients to use heavy Shads and foam Bullhead lures for fishing close to the bottom. The rod needs to be of a quite heavy action so you can throw heavy lures, read the bottom and of course to not buckle under heavy tension and stress these fish can create. We do not recommend wobblers on Ljubljanica, as they have proven to not be suitable lures, mostly because of the specific terrain.
PROPER LOCATION: The Huchen can be caught anywhere in the water, but certain hot-spots do exist where the frequency of bites is higher. A specialty of fishing for Huchen on the Ljubljanica River is the possibility of FISHING FROM A BOAT. With this method you can cover a large stretch of the river, reach otherwise inaccessible spots and not waste time moving from one fishing spot to another. Fishing on a boat allows FLY FISHING for huchen. As there is less chance of catching your lures in overcast trees and bushes around the boat, casts are a lot easier, even for novices. Of course this method has its own requirements when it comes to equipment, notably highlighted: a fly fishing rod at least AFTMA#9, a stripping basket, large enough streamers (minimum 10 cm) and fast sinking fly line.