European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Chasing rainbows in Bavaria a  of the Weisser Traun in Europe by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer the reel screamed As the fish took off rocketing out into the fas water. I kept a slight pressure on the line As it burned out through my fingers hoping it was t enough to break the Leader. For a few seconds the fish stayed deep ripping off line As it shot downstream. Then the pressure forced it up. At the Edge of a Riffle it exploded out of the River car Wheeling across the surface and sending up a Geyser of water As it fell Back. Then it shot Back in toward the Slack water Angling upstream. I frantically stripped in line to keep it taut. This was another Beautiful Silver sided Rainbow the biggest of the Day. From its jump i guessed the fish at around 20 inches. 1 raised the Rod higher to increase the pressure and the fish jumped again thrashing and shaking its head this time As it splashed Down. I regained More line and in a couple of minutes the Rod Bent double i had forced it in to within about 10 feet. But when it got sight of me it shot out downstream again. A. This time the run was Shorter. Again i worked the fish Back in and again it took off. My right forearm was aching from battling the fish but once More i hauled it Back painstakingly retrieving the line foot by foot. Now most of the fight was gone from the fish and i eased it toward my hand the Rod held High and Bent double. It made one final lunge heading for a submerged Rock Only a few feet away. I put even More pressure on straining the Leader to its limits. I knew if the Trout got under the Rock it would probably break off. The Rod lip was nearly touching the water As the fish fought and pulled Only a foot away from the Rock. Suddenly the Rod sprang Back the Fly whizzed past my ear and the fish was gone. River keeper Alois Blaschke wades the fish Rich wafers of the Weisser Traun in Traunstein West Germany. A the Sun had disappeared behind the mountains and it was Only a few minutes till Sunset. There would be no More Trout this Day. I reeled in the rest of the line and began wading the River Back to the car. It was the end of a Brief but Superb fishing trip on the Weisser Traun River in Southern Bavaria. Given the Choice most fishermen would rather catch big fish than Small ones. In Europe one of the Best places to do this is the Traun River drainage in Southern Germany and Austria. For at least two generations its reputation for consistently producing outsize Trout and Grayling has attracted anglers from throughout Europe and the world. In the Section of the Weisser Traun i fished one reason for the abundance of Large fish is a practice imported from the United states catch and release fishing. Anglers can catch As Many fish As they want but they must take care that they Are not injured and return them immediately to the water. River keeper Alois Blaschke says because of catch and release the Weisser Traun is the Best River in the Region. Most europeans Are unfamiliar with the practice Blaschke says Quot it s something people have to learn. If everybody would take two or that be fish every Day in three or four months. It s not empty but the big fish Are  the Traun begins As a Glacier fed trickle High in the jagged peaks of Austria s Wachstein Massif. The main River and most of the tributaries resemble the Rocky fast water Rivers of the american West. They Are Swift Clear streams partly Snow fed that maintain Coo temperatures and consistent water Levels throughout the summer. In the area where 1 fished near Traunstein West Germany the Weisser Traun is 60 to 75 feet across fast and Rocky. The Banks Are Low and lined with big Trees beeches elms and Ash. In most places the River is a debate with hip boots. There Are Broad sections of shallow riffles that Are no More than knee deep on some stretches the q stripes Magazine july 6, 1990