Great day on Poprad

 2 weeks ago I planned 3-day fishing trip to river San in Southeast Poland. But on the way, I decided to visit Poprad river and catch some barbels.  On the way I stopped at Stary Sącz in McDonalds. About 8:30 I arrived at the fishing spot. I parked my car near the railway tracks. The river looked calm and cold.

The river level was 118 cm and flow 9,29 m3/s at Stary Sącz, or 97 cm and 6,27 m3/s at Muszyna. Which means, river is very low and easy to cross to the other side in many places. The place where I started fishing was knee-deep in most of the width of the river. Only along the far bank, there was a long deep hole. I crossed this hole in shallowest lower part (it's up to my waist level), and started to fish slowly upstream with nymph.  Very soon, I got a fish strike. After short fight, fish came off the hook. But that's a good sign! It means I found a place with barbels!

Another take, and I scored my first barbel. Very beautiful bronze sleek fish.

Isn't it a perfect fish? 

And it goes away

It looks like I found golden mine. I had many takes, but also many fish lost. This was the biggest one, almost 60 cm. 

It gave me unforgettable fight, with multiple power runs. 

Trains were running along the river, but it didn't scare fish off.

All fish I caught between 8:30 and 10:00. Later, fish activity stopped. 

When fish stops to bite, it's time to have a break and walk around. 

I took a short walk on the other side of the river.  The morning was foggy, but later sun briefly appeared over the Poprad valley.

I spotted few fish under the bank, tried to cast to them, but they were spooked.  I returned to my car. At this time, two other fishermen arrived. I decided that I caught enough fish for today. After short nice conversation, I drove to the next spot.

Here I fished long and deep hole. It starts with slow current in the lower part , and more fast current at the head of the pool.  I noticed some fish in the water, but I had no takes.

After short exploration, I found another deep hole. But I didn't fish it, I spared it for my future visits of this river.

I drove further along the rver, to my next favorite spot in Muszyna. There's long shallow run, which is very good for sigh fishing. It's very interesting place. You wade through the water and you see no fish. Then you suddenly notice grey shadows moving along the bottom. Barbels! They move so fast, you need to cast in front of the path of moving fish. 

After few unsuccessful approaches, I caught one with sight fishing method. Nice specimen!

It was very strong , and gave me healthy dose of adrenaline.

Barbels became my favorite late autumn fish.  Sleek, powerful, bronze machines.

At 15:00 I decided there's enough fishing for today. I caught few very beautiful rablels. What can be better?   Now the time to my next destination - river San.

On the way I stopped in the resort city Krynica-Zdrój for the dinner in the local restaurant.  The main course was excellent. Chicken strips stuffed with dried plum, served with salad and potato.

Apple pie with fruits delicious too.

After 2,5 hours of driving some rural and dangerous roads in the fog, I arrived to small village on the river San. but that will be covered in my next posts.