European fly fishing

Fish Species

A guide to the most sought-after fly fishing species found in European rivers and lakes.

Salmonidae

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

The most iconic freshwater fish in European fly fishing — wary, selective, and endlessly fascinating.

Salmonidae

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

The king of rivers — a powerful anadromous fish that returns from the ocean to spawn in its birth river.

Salmonidae

Grayling

Thymallus thymallus

Called the "Lady of the Stream" — the grayling extends the fly fishing season deep into winter with year-round sport.

Salmonidae

Sea Trout

Salmo trutta trutta

The sea-run form of brown trout — a nocturnal predator that enters rivers silver-bright and fights with extraordinary power.

Salmonidae

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Introduced from North America, the rainbow now thrives across Europe and offers acrobatic sport in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Salmonidae

Arctic Char

Salvelinus alpinus

A relic from the last Ice Age — the arctic char inhabits the coldest and deepest lakes of Northern Europe and offers pure wilderness fly fishing.

Esocidae

Pike

Esox lucius

Europe's apex freshwater predator — pike fly fishing with heavy streamers delivers savage takes and battles with one of the river's most formidable hunters.

Leuciscidae

Asp

Leuciscus aspius

A fast, aggressive surface predator unique to European rivers — asp fly fishing combines the excitement of sight fishing with explosive surface takes.

Leuciscidae

Chub

Squalius cephalus

An underrated dry-fly quarry — chub rise freely to surface imitations and grasshopper patterns, offering exciting visual sport across European rivers.

Fly Fishing Rivers & Lakes Map

Explore notable European rivers and lakes for each species. Use the filter bar to switch between species.