My love for fly fishing

There's a saying among us fly fishermen: "The hours spent on the water don't count towards your lifetime." And I really believe it. Because as soon as I'm in the water—waders on, rod in hand, water around my legs—time passes differently. It slows down. Or it simply disappears. There's no pressure and there are no appointments. Just the sound of the water, the current, and I'm right in the middle of it. I don't need much myself. Often just thinking about a day of fishing is enough to calm my heart. It's like a short vacation within myself.

That one moment…

There is one day that is burned into my memory: A clear autumn day in the Salzkammergut. I was alone on the Koppentraun River. A cloudless sky. All around me were nothing but mountains, water, and silence. The water was so clear that I could see every movement beneath the surface. Brown trout, alert and curious, came to my fly. One after the other. And suddenly a stag bellowed right next to the water. The rutting season had begun. I stood in the middle of the river and I knew: I am part of something great. I had tears in my eyes. Tears of gratitude. It was like the story of the alchemist – as if nature had shown me a hidden treasure in that moment.

“Then I’m just there”

What fascinates me so much about fly fishing is this honesty. This stillness. Everything is reduced to the essentials. There's no fuss. No frills. Just intuition, attention, feeling. Even the preparation is like a little ritual for me: sorting flies, checking rods, picking up lines, making a few dry casts. It's all part of the process. The fishing begins long before I even get to the water.

And when I stand in it, in this clear, cold river, when I feel the current on my legs, read the water, observe nature – then I am simply there. Completely and completely. And when a fish rises, that subtle twitch in the rod – then my heart beats faster. The first fish of the season is always a special moment for me. And releasing it is part of it. I kiss it, whisper a soft "thank you" – and let it swim away again. It's my little ritual. And every time I feel awe. And joy.

Unfortunately, I don't have much time for fishing. But that doesn't matter. Because just thinking about it sustains me. Because the mere idea of being back in the water gives me peace. Fly fishing isn't a leisure activity for me. It's an attitude. A way of seeing the world. Appreciative. Attentive. Clear. And perhaps that's also the reason why I find something very similar in natural wine. Both are real. Unadulterated. Both require dedication, time – and feeling. Both are a gift. Fly fishing and natural wine – these are my two sources of strength. They give me the feeling of truly living. They make my life richer, quieter – and deeper.

Fishing on holiday at Wildbachberg

I'd love to share my passion with my guests and am thrilled when my enthusiasm sparks. Unfortunately, there isn't always enough time for that, but just talk to me; perhaps we can arrange a trip together to our fishing pond, which is 3 km away. Fly fishing isn't possible here. However, we'd be happy to put you in touch with a fly-fishing guide in the Schilcherland region, or Southern Styria or Western Styria.

Of course, fish also plays a role in our cuisine. We love smoked fish, which my wife Johanna makes herself from our own char. During your vacation at Wildbachberg, you'll have access to a barbecue area in front of your holiday home, where you can grill your own food and relax. We're happy to bring you freshly caught char from our own fish pond upon request.