Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Introduced from North America, the rainbow now thrives across Europe and offers acrobatic sport in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Cold, well-oxygenated rivers and lakes. Tolerates slightly warmer water than brown trout and adapts well to still-water fisheries.
25–65 cm, typically 0.5–2.5 kg on rivers; reservoir fish can run 3–5 kg. Steelhead sea-run populations reach 5–10 kg.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Widely introduced across Europe. Prevalent in England, France, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Nordic countries. Wild self-sustaining populations in some chalk streams and Alpine rivers.
Although not native to European rivers, the rainbow trout has been so thoroughly integrated into the fly fishing landscape that it would be unimaginable without it — particularly on still-water fisheries and managed chalk stream beats. Its vigour, willingness to take a dry fly, and acrobatic fighting style (leaping repeatedly where a brown trout would bore deep) make it immensely popular.
On chalk streams and spring creeks, wild or naturalised rainbow trout often match the wariness and selectivity of brown trout. On reservoir fisheries, they are the primary target species, and reservoir fly fishing has developed its own specialist techniques and fly styles.
The rainbow tends to show its position more readily than brown trout, often feeding in pods near the surface. This makes sight fishing practical, though approach and presentation must still be impeccable.
Fly fishing tactics
Reservoir Loch-Style
Drifting a large still-water loch in a boat, casting a team of three flies across the drift and washing them back through the waves before lifting and re-casting. Dibbling the top dropper on the surface creates a trigger effect. Intermediate and floating lines; large buzzers in the evening.
Surface Dry Fly on Rivers
Rainbow trout are often less leader-shy than brown trout and respond well to attractor patterns even without an obvious hatch. Large, high-floating flies — Stimulators, Royal Wulff, CDC Caddis — worked in broken water are productive. Rainbows tend to be more aggressive risers, so strike timing errors are more forgiving.
Buzzers / Chironomids on Still Water
The most technically demanding still-water method. Suspending midge pupa imitations (buzzers, sizes 10–16) at the correct depth under a dry fly indicator during the evening chironomid hatch. Fish can be infuriatingly selective on colour and size. A static presentation matched precisely to the hatching depth zone is essential.
Recommended flies
Best months
Other species
Brown Trout
Salmo truttaThe most iconic freshwater fish in European fly fishing — wary, selective, and endlessly fascinating.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salarThe king of rivers — a powerful anadromous fish that returns from the ocean to spawn in its birth river.
Grayling
Thymallus thymallusCalled the "Lady of the Stream" — the grayling extends the fly fishing season deep into winter with year-round sport.
Sea Trout
Salmo trutta truttaThe sea-run form of brown trout — a nocturnal predator that enters rivers silver-bright and fights with extraordinary power.
Arctic Char
Salvelinus alpinusA relic from the last Ice Age — the arctic char inhabits the coldest and deepest lakes of Northern Europe and offers pure wilderness fly fishing.
