Searching for Spring Sea Trout in Fyn, Denmark

Months of cowering away from what seemed like an eternal November, finally came to an end with a quick dash to Denmark in search of spring sea trout.

Our extended weekend fishing trip in April headed to the island of Fyn, a prime destination for coastal sea trout with a good variety of locations and kilometre after kilometre of explorable coastline.

Although the main thing was to get the season started, some preparations had been made in the weeks before to better the odds of connecting with a bright silver sea run brown trout. From fly recommendations to researching blogs and videos online. We had also managed to secure expert guiding from a very nice Fyn native Aslak Lund - A warm recommendation to anyone on the lookout for a fishing guide in Denmark.

On our way

After a semi-productive half day at work, it was a quick dash to the airport and aboard the early evening flight to Copenhagen. On landing a quick baggage claim, snack and car rental - we were on our way in less than 45 minutes. The traffic was light and with a supermarket pitstop included, we were at our destination after a couple hour drive. A beautiful small summer house from Rodkaergård in Kerteminde with a nice view of the countryside and the Kerteminde fjord.

Time for dinner, beers and to plan the first day’s fishing.

A wintry start

Aslak turned up at our lodgings nice and early after breakfast to take us out. With the breeze and weather feeling slightly colder than was expected for this time of year, we decided to start the day on the eastern side of the island, between Stavre to the north and Kerteminde town. With and addition of a couple of local flies from our guide, we were ready to go.

As soon as we arrived at our first spot and changed into our wading gear, big white snowflakes started to fall. The weather was looking a lot more wintery than a while ago. Not deterred we made our way past the fields down to the pebble beach, spread out and started fishing.

With the snowfall the wind had also died down. The calm sea seemed less than optimal for fishing. With the sea being calm as it was, the sense of scale working against you started creeping into mind. There’s an awful lot of featureless water around and an awfully small fly and on a limited casting radius - the chances of connecting with a fish seem nonexistent. Luckily, it turned out not be true.

The trick was to keep moving. Which our guide was more than willing to keep telling us. Over and over.

A break in the clouds and a slight glimmer of the sun seemed to activate fish some way out, on the edge of deeper water. Wading in to get the cast a bit closer to the active fish, a Polar Magnus on a erratic retrieve seemed to do the trick. A feisty take, couple of strong pulls and a 40+ cm fish was in the air. A jump more and the fish was off. A slight disappointment, but at least the trout were there.

Continuing down the shoreline casting along, a smaller trout was also fooled by the Magnus. A quick release and back to growing it went.

During the day, this stretch of water turned out to be the most productive for us, with fish hooked by everyone in the group. Antti’s bar of silver fooled on a Brenda crowning the day.

After scouting a couple more spots, with no fish contact it was time to head back to the house for the night.

Getting around

The second full day of fishing dawned brighter but a little more windy with the direction varying more than the day before. With some last minute tips from Aslak as well as Antti’s experiences from previous visits, we decided to explore more on the western side of the peninsula.

Stocking up on more local flies on the way, most of the day was spent roaming around and fishing various parts of the coast. From the norther tip all the way down to the mouth of Odense fjord.

The long shoreline was truly something to experience. Rocky beaches for miles and miles with only a few people around here and there. The sea floor alternating between sand, fucus / seaweed and rocky outcrops. The setting was like something straight out of a sea trout fishing book. All in all the conditions looked really good.

The sun was shining and casting was easy, although a little unnerving wading out 50 meters in places. All the while trying to keep an eye out for bigger depressions and holes between the rocky seaweed patches.

The trout however, eluded us. The only wildlife around were the common seagulls and an inquisitive seal a little way out to sea.

After coffees we decided to go back to the first day’s hotspot to see if more trout were around. The fishing turned out not to be as productive as on the previous days, with only a few nervous takes and around 40cm fish bagged after it was injured during the fight.

The last casts

On the last morning with only a few hours to spare, we chose to take one more look at the first day hotspot before packing up and heading back home. With no more takes on any flies offered, it was time to pack up and head out.

The quick visit to Fyn was a nice start to the fishing season, although two and a half days is just too little time. The feeling was, especially with the first timers, that just as you are getting into the swing of things, it’s time to pack up and go home. But isn’t that just the case always.

To round the trip off we had to stop off for the famous Danish Smørrebrød before the airport. And what better place to do it than in Den Gamle Kro in Odense in a building dating back to 1683. A warm recommendation if you are in town.

Information

People and places that made our stay. 

Aslak Lund. Guide and an allround nice guy who also manages  at the Kengis Bruk lodge & beat during the Salmon season.

Havorret.com App for all things Danish seatrout fishing. Available in English too.

Rødkærgård.  Superb accomodation in Kerteminde.

Den Gamle Kro. Really nice Smørrebrød.

Fly Patterns

We actively fished these patterns with an additional roster of leeches and craft fur streamers.  

Polar Magnus  and the Magnus in various sizes.

Pattegrisen  With grey-pink colour variations.  

Brenda. A killer Danish pattern

Copper bug  A super quick tie on.