It all started back in 2010—you know, when I first laid eyes on those alpine rivers near Zell am See. Funny story, I was actually there for a hockey contract (go figure!), but man... the moment I saw the Salzach River's crystal-clear currents and the way the morning light hit Lake Zell? Game over. My old fishing obsession came roaring back like a freight train.
Now here's the thing about me and fishing—it's in my blood. My dad? Absolute legend. Represented Czech Republic in fly-fishing championships across Europe, the whole deal. I'll never forget the first time he handed me an artificial fly—must've been, what, six years old? That little tuft of feathers and thread might as well have been magic. Fast forward through a blur of local competitions (won my fair share, if I do say so) and somehow landing a Junior World Championship nomination in Scotland back in '02. That's when I knew—this wasn't just a hobby, you know? It was... well, let's call it a healthy addiction.
But life, being what it is, had other plans. Hockey schedules and fishing rods don't exactly play nice together. Spent years chasing pucks when all I really wanted was to be waist-deep in some river, feeling that tug on the line.

Then—boom—hockey career ends, and suddenly I'm back in Zell am See for good. Eleven years now of exploring every hidden bend in these rivers, every quiet corner of the lakes. Developed some fly patterns that... well, let's just say the fish around here seem to like 'em! (Though my first attempts? Total disasters. Ever seen a trout laugh at a fly? Because I have.)

Which brings me to now. After all these years of hoarding secret spots and hard-earned tricks, I realized—what's the point if I don't share 'em? So here I am, ready to guide fellow enthusiasts to places you'd never find solo. We're talking brook trout that'll make your hands shake, grayling that fight like they're twice their size, and perch that—well, you get the idea.

For beginners? No judgment here. I'll help untangle your backcasts (we've all been there), show you how to read the water's subtle hints, and—most importantly—how to actually land that monster when it finally bites. And for the seasoned anglers? Let's just say I know where the big brown trout hide after dusk.

From the Salzach's rushing streams to Zell's glassy lake surfaces—each spot's got that certain something. Pike lurking in the shadows, rainbow trout rising at dawn... honestly, it never gets old.

Anyway, hope to see you out there sometime—maybe we'll swap stories over a beer after landing a few. Tight lines, my friends! (And watch out for those pike-perch—crafty little devils.)