Fishing Horska Kamenice in the Czech Republic

The Horska Kamenice is a medium gradient mountain river in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic. The river flows through the Kamenice Canyon over a rock and pebble substrate and is home to a good population of brown trout. Much of the river is away from the road and only accessible by foot.

At its widest point the Kamenice is about 13 feet (4 meters) wide. The river can be quite shallow especially towards the end of summer. But it remains fishable in most weather. During normal flows the depths range from 18 inches to maybe six feet (0.5-1.8 m).

After passing through the canyon, the Horska Kamenice flows into the Jizera river around the small town of Spalov. The Jizera also holds trout. Zelenzy Brod is the nearest city though it isn’t all that large. But Zelenzy Brod does have a fly shop that would be of interest to anglers.

Fish species in Horska Kamenice

Horska Kamenice is home to a native population of brown trout. These fish do not normally grow larger than 14 inches (35 cm) and the average fish is closer to 9 inches (23 cm), but they do provide great sport. It is also nice to be able to fish for brown trout in their native range.

An average Kamenice brown trout

Grayling are more common in the Jizera river but a few may make the trip up into the Kamenice. You may also encounter the occasional rainbow trout. These fish are of course not native to the Kamenice river or Europe in general.

Fishing in Horska Kamenice

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Fishing in the Kamenice river is done exclusively with flies. Traditional fly fishing gear is the most common way to fish here. Czech or “Euro nymphing” is the most common method of fly fishing. So most people will use a 9 foot long 2 to 5 weight fly rod with floating line and a Czech nymph like the Olive Czech Nymph in size 12-16. This works well in the Kamenice.

This nice brown trout took a nymph fished tenkara style

But a tenkara setup can also be quite effective in this little mountain river. Using the same kinds of flies on a level line you can follow your fly through the drift and set the hook at the slightest hesitation. A standard 12 foot tenkara rod with a length of colored size 3 level line and a clear leader is great for fishing the Kamenice.

Petr Axamit and his team are perhaps the most popular English-speaking guides who fish the Kamenice. They may even be the most popular fly fishing guide in the Czech Republic.

I have fished with Oleg Jeremin. He is a very good guide who fishes all over the Czech Republic and can speak English, Russian and Japanese. Oleg is very familiar with the Kamenice and he has all the knowledge and gear an angler needs to fish the river. Oleg is great with a tenkara rod too.

Horska Kamenice fishing regulations

In the Czech Republic waterways can be managed or controlled by groups or individuals. This is common across much of Europe. In order to fish Horska Kamenice you must secure a permit. If you fish with a guide they will take care of that. Otherwise you have to figure out who controls the water you want to fish and try to get a permit yourself. The permit that covers the lower section of the Kamenice also covers a section of the Jizera. You also need a license or “ticket” issued by the state.

Fishing in Horska Kamenice is limited to flies. Most people use Czech nymphs but other flies will also work. There are no rules about which pattern you must use. Flies can be fished with either traditional fly fishing gear or a tenkara rod. Both are allowed and can work well for the kind of fishing done here. Fishing is open from April 16 to November 30.

Although stretches of the Horska Kamenice are controlled by private groups you do have to follow the general fishing regulations of the country. In the Czech Republic that means you must carry a net. The fish don’t get much larger than 14 inches (35 cm) in Horska Kamenice so the net doesn’t have to be very large. But you do have to have one with you. If you fish with a guide they will normally supply a net. If you’re fishing on your own, the Daiwa OneTouh Landing Net is a great choice to carry.

To the best of my knowledge, this is all accurate as of the time of writing. Of course regulations are subject to change. For current regulations be sure to check with the relevant authorities of the Czech Republic and whoever controls the stretch of water you want to fish.

Horska Kamenice fishing at a glance