Chub and bream

I have always thought that if it can be caught on a fly it's worth fishing for. Come to think about it: it might even be worth to fish for if it can't be caught on a fly...

I have a few fishing friends who would never fish for anything without an adipose fin. They cut themselves off from the fun that can be had with garfish, cod, mullet and many other abundant species, including fish such as chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and bream (Abramis brama).

Martin smiles

Bart van der Schreik

This time I was reminded of the fact by friends Kasper and Asger who have recently fished for chub and bream.

These fish are not viewed as traditional fly fishing targets, but will - if not willingly, then at least occasionally - take a fly.

While bream is not the best fighter of them all a chub is actually a carp, and will put up a decent fight indeed. And both species run in sizes that will put a bend in your rod just out of pure weight.

Neither are great on the frying pan, so it's not to fill the freezer you pursue them.

But catching fish when no other fish are to be caught and catching fish that no one else fishes for can be great fun.

GFF contributor Mark Dysinger has devised an interesting chub fly, which can be seen here.

Try it!