European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                / 1s&s photos by Ken George current has carved out a deeper Channel and Here and there boulders have formed deep pockets and Srno oth water pools. Trailing away from some of the deeper sections Are Long gravel bars easy to Wade and convenient for casting to Likely fish hangouts. It is a fun River to fish Broad and spacious with plenty of Rooni to cast. Because of the Swift current most areas require a fast retrieve or an a cast and a downstream float. We had made the 6-hour drive Down from Central Germany the Day before in sweltering 90-degree heat. When we got to the hotel where we would be staying we  time checking in and ate a leisurely dinner. Most Trout Are not caught under the High Sun and we were sure that once he shadows began lengthening on the River the fishing would be excellent. The blazing Sun had undoubtedly warmed even the glacial River and there was certain to be an insect Hatch. But during dinner a few ominous Clouds began moving in from the Northwest. By the time we had driven the five Miles to the River the sky had turned nearly Black with thunderhead. Just As stepped out into the River the wind started to come up and the first few raindrops fell. There was a mayfly Hatch on and i quickly caught a Small Rainbow about 10 inches. Then came the first Flash of lightning. I ignored it and continued fishing. Fish were rising dimpling the water Between the raindrops. Had a couple of hits but missed them. Soon it had developed into a full fledged storm with lightning dancing from Cloud to Cloud sheets of rain and violent squally winds slashing through the Trees. For an avid Fisherman a thunderstorm presents a problem of conflicting emotions. This is especially True if the fishing is Good do you take the risk and continue fishing or Stop and maybe miss the Chance to catch that big one lurking around the next Bend common sense says get off the water. Not wanting to make my wife a Young widow when the jagged Fork lightning came crackling Down to strike the treetops a Quarter mile away i began wading Back to Shore. We waited a half hour or so in the car until the rain and lightning slacked off. The fish were still rising and i caught another Small Rainbow keeping one Eye on the lightning in the distance. I had a few More hits but in a Little while the storm was upon us again electric Blue flashes streaking across the sky overhead. We drove Back to the hotel in a steady downpour doubtful about tomorrow. At 6 . On the River the next morning the Day was full of Promise. Because of the Cool Rainy night there was no insect Hatch but the thin Gray overcast looked like it might soon lift. I worked the River with several flies catching one i Inch Rainbow and hoping for a glimpse of the Sun. But around 7 30 a Chilly rain began to fall. Soon it became a steady drizzle and in another hour the Valley was socked in solid. Quit at 9 with the rain getting heavier and White Gray Mist sinking to the lower Meadows on the mountainsides we thought it had socked in for the Day and drove into town to walk around in the rain and philosophize about the fickleness of the weather and fishing. Around 1 . We were driving past the River and decided to Check it to see if there was  activity. Even from the car we could see a few fish rising. Though there were still a few no drops the Sun had just started burning through. I walked y Down to the Edge of the water and saw there w Ere at least Thiee insect hatches going on. Tish were rising and jumping up and Down the Over. As soon As got into the water i caught a a continued on Page j 0 much of the River is fast water similar to Many streams in the american West two Chunky Silver sided rainbows that fell for artificial flies on the Weisser Traun. July 6, 1990 stripes Magazine. To