There’s something magical about the Wiesent—honestly, it’s one of those rivers that just feels like fly fishing ought to. Winding through the Franconian Jura, this karst beauty is legendary for its trout and grayling, and if you ask me, it’s the kind of water that gets under your skin. You’ll hear plenty about the May Fly season, and for good reason. When those bugs start hatching, it’s like someone rang the dinner bell for the biggest, wiliest trout in the river. Charles Ritz, the old fly-fishing maestro himself, used to swear by this place, and once you’ve seen a rise here during a May Fly frenzy, you’ll understand why.

Now, about those trout—they’re not exactly pushovers. The grayling? Sneaky little devils, especially come autumn when they’re keyed in on tiny nymphs. But that’s half the fun, right? Over at Hammermühle, we’ve got stretches reserved just for guests, and whether you’re flicking dry flies or working a subtle emerger, there’s plenty of water to play with. Some of it’s downright beginner-friendly, but don’t let that fool you. Even the easy-looking runs can hold fish that’ll make you question your leader strength.

Gear-wise, a 4-5 weight rod around 9ft will cover most situations, though if the wind’s up—and it can get cheeky here—you might wish you’d gone a touch heavier. Leader? Nine feet is sweet, but don’t skimp on the tippet. I’ve seen 0.14mm snap like cheap thread when a proper Wiesent trout gets its head down. Oh, and no wading—rubber boots are your best friend unless you fancy explaining to the bailiff why you’re soaked.

Fly selection? Well, the classics rarely disappoint. Yellow Partridge and Gosling during the May Fly madness, Red Tag when they’re feeling bold, and Pharmacist for those fussy days. Come autumn, downsizing to tiny nymphs is the grayling game. I once had luck with a scruffy little emerger pattern after the fish ignored everything else—sometimes it pays to get weird.

Anyway, if you’re keen, check out the details at Pension Hammermühle. Just remember: the best stretches are guest-only, so book a room and get ready. See you by the river—just don’t outfish me!