Spate · Granite · South Bohemia / Šumava

Upper Vltava (Šumava)

Upper Vltava (Šumava) terrain map
Terrain map

The Vltava rising in the Šumava holds wild brown trout in peaty mountain water.

Species

Slow going — pick your moments

Low and clear — careful approach country. Cover and shadow are doing the work today.

55% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
4°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature1628% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity1712% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
4.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
1°C
Wind
W 11 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1015 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.8 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Poor conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Temperature is weakest (16).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • State licence + local permit
  • Fly-only on many beats
  • Brown trout protected Sep 1–Apr 15.
Directions
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About this water

The Vltava rising in the Šumava holds wild brown trout in peaty mountain water. More intimate than the lower regulated sections, quick to respond to rain with good stonefly and caddis hatches. Note: the Teplá Vltava (Warm Vltava) is the separate upper branch famous for autumn grayling — see that entry for the grayling story.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Trout16 April → 31 August
  • Grayling16 June → 30 November
Other water nearby · 5
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