A quest for graylings

 First time I was in the North-East part of Poland, in the region called Mazury. 

My primary purpose was participation in orienteering competitions.  But, I took my fly rod and associated gear with me, just in case of the opportunity.  I got a hint from a friend, that there are some streams with graylings, not so far from the camping where I stayed overnight. These streams are small and not widely known.  

The stream flows in the forested canyon. I left my car in the nearest village and hiked along forest trail.

The lower part of the stream looked very clear, and shallow. No signs of the fish presented. 

The water didn't look like proper grayling habitat. The river banks are swampy, and the bottom covered with sand. I need to look for the gravel bottom. So I hiked further upriver.

From the high point, I spotted some gravel patches in the river and faster water stretch. I descended down and started fishing.  I caught a couple of small chubs, 4-6 cm.  No graylings or trout were noticed.

Most of the water looks too shallow and unattractive (for fish). I concentrated on the pocketwater and near obstacles.

After fruitless attempts, I moved further upstream. It looks like impossible to cast into the water in some places. Too many fallen trees blocked access to the water. If there are fish, it's hiding in such places.

Then I found some small rapids. I got nothing from there, but it looked more attractive than "tree labyrinth". 

I returned to the trail, which goes along the canyon. Few hundred meters above, I spotted an attractive piece of water.  I descended down to the water and fished pockets between fallen trees.

I used Euro nymphing method with the rod Ego Competitor 8'7" 3wt. In such tight places, shorter rod is more convenient.  When my nymph dragged under the tree in the water, I snagged something.  I thought it was a tree, but there was a fish! To my surprise, I pulled a grayling out of that hole. 

What a nice surprise!  32 cm grayling, for such small stream and skinny water it's almost a trophy.

and, he goes back!

That was my satisfaction at the end of that grueling hike.

Upstream of this spot, I found more pieces of attractive water. Even some waist-deep holes.

I was exhausted, and decided to go back to the trail, and return to my car. It was an interesting experience, exploration of true wild stream. The fishing is very challenging, but it worth to try something different than wading convenient wide gravel bars.