Trip Report 17 Jan 99

Trip Report
Resevior des Cigognes - Seltz, France
17 January

I heard about this one from the local German Fly Fishing Organization when I asked about fly fishing trout waters close to Heidelberg, Germany. Didn't know I would be heading to France at first, but even the Germans in this area find it easier to find quality trout waters in Eastern France (Vorgessen and Lorraine). The Resevior des Cigognes (Stork Lake) is located just one hour south in France near Seltz. No French license required, but you have to pay 24 EURO for a day ticket on this well maintained private preserve - fly fishing only, rainbows and more!

I left home about 0800 Sunday morning and located the small restaurant that sells the day tickets about 0900. Price is a little steep at 24 EUROs per day, but was hoping for good things no matter what the cost. I hadn't fished in a couple months since the winter and I don't agree too often. Today was definitely an exception. Sunny and in the low forties seemed perfect.

Anyway, didn't expect too much surface action and since this was the first time I visited, I decided to start off with streamers. Tried the black and olive Uglies, and then switched to black and olive zonkers when I had no luck. Again nothing.

Wasn't really frustrated, but was beginning to wonder if there were any fish in the lake at all. None of the other four fly fishers sharing the two ponds were having any luck either. So there I was…What now? As I was digging thru the various zonkers in the box, I spotted one of the two flies my friend Tom McGloine (Tommy Boy) tied for me right after he left Germany for New York. These were some of his first attempts at tying the Zonkers that worked so well at the Club Mouche in November of 1997.

I had never used Tom's flies before this. Guess I was saving them for a rainy day. Didn't have rain, but was feeling blue when I tied on the Olive Zonker. As you probably guess, on the retrieve of the second cast BAM! Fish on! Astounded, incredulous…well I won't go there. I ended up landing a nice 20 inch Rainbow. Felt pretty good and a little vain too. Gotta lot of looks from the French Fly Fishers. Ha! After another round of merry-go-round flies, I ended up tying on Tom's Zonker again. BAM! Fish On! 21 inch Rainbow. Well, that was all the catching for the day. Know I'll be back for those short weekend trips and long summer nights.

What did I learn?

1. Tom's Flies Can Catch Fish! Actually, the thing I learned was this…The first time you fish an area and aren't sure what to use consider all options. The fly you pass over may be the ONE! BAM.

2. It is easier to fish in France, but I just wish I could speak the language or at least have a phrase book. But then again, my broken German and French combined with hand and arm signals seem to work just fine.

To get to the Resevior des Cigognes, take Autobahn 5 south to the Baden-Baden exit (south of Karsrulhe) and head west - not towards Baden-Baden. Once you cross the border, turn right at the first intersection towards Beinheim. Keep heading north! Pass through Beinheim and on towards Seltz. Just before reaching the Seltz city limits, you turn right on to a small country road (marked with camping and other types of activities). Buy the day pass at the small restaurant on the left. Fishing waters are behind the restaurant. Enjoy!

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