Trout fishing with spinners and flies
Trout live in cold, well-oxygenated mountain rivers. They're very wary: they bolt at the slightest shadow or noise on the bank.
With a small spinner you fish the river upstream or across, bringing the lure right through the places where the fish hold. On mountain waters, salmonids may only be fished for with artificial lures.
Species: Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Brook trout
What you need
- Rod: a 1.8-2.2 m ultralight rod, casting 2-10 g; short, for narrow rivers.
- Reel: size 1000-2000.
- Line: 0.16-0.20 mm monofilament or thin braid with a 0.18-0.20 mm fluorocarbon leader.
- Bait: small 2-5 g spinners; where required, with a single barbless hook (read the managing body's rules).
- Accessories: boots or waders, polarised glasses, a small landing net with a rubberised mesh.
Baits
- Small silver or gold spinners with red or black dots.
- Small spoons and 3-5 cm micro crankbaits.
- Artificial flies (dry flies, nymphs, streamers), for fly fishing.
When to fish
- On natural waters, the season opens after the trout closed season; see the periods below.
- Morning, evening and overcast days; after light rain, with the water slightly coloured, trout strike more boldly.
- In summer, at midday, trout hold in fast, shaded water.
Where are you fishing
- The pools below falls, behind big rocks, the edge of the current, undercut banks and spots under roots.
- Mountain reservoirs, near the tributaries.
- On waters managed by the Forestry Directorates (Romsilva) or by associations, you need their permit as well as the ANADSPA (formerly ANPA) permit.
Step by step
- 1
Approach from downstream. Trout face into the current, so come up from behind, slowly, without casting your shadow on the water.
- 2
Cast upstream. Cast upstream or diagonally, a little above where you think the fish is holding.
- 3
Retrieve straight away. Start winding as soon as the spinner hits the water, a little faster than the current, so the blade spins.
- 4
Work the good spots. Bring the spinner past rocks, through pools and along the edge of the current; 2-3 casts in one spot, then move on upstream.
- 5
Strike and play the fish. When it hits, strike short and play the fish on a finely set drag.
- 6
Release it properly. If you release it, wet your hands, keep it in the water and remove the hook quickly with pliers.
Common mistakes
- Noise and shadows on the bank: the trout bolt before your first cast.
- Spinners that are too big for the river in question.
- Retrieving too slowly: the blade doesn't spin and the spinner snags on the bottom.
- Too many casts in the same spot.
Rules on natural waters
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout
Minimum size: 20 cm
Species closed season: 1 October - 31 March
General closed season: 9 April - 7 June (the periods differ on border waters and in the Danube Delta)
Daily limit: In mountain waters: at most 10 salmonids per day in total.
The rules above are for natural waters (rivers, lakes, the Danube), where you also need a permit. On a private lake the lake's rules apply: many are catch & release or have their own limits.
For information only, not guaranteed legal advice. There are many local exceptions (Danube Delta, border waters, catch-and-release sections) not covered here. Always check the official ANADSPA (formerly ANPA) source before fishing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly fish for trout?
Yes. Fly fishing uses a special rod, a heavy line (fly line) and artificial flies: dry flies on the surface, nymphs on the bottom. It's harder to learn but very effective on mountain rivers; there, at most 3 flies per rig are allowed.
Can I use worms or maggots for trout?
Not on mountain waters: there, salmonids may only be fished for with artificial lures. On private trout fisheries, the fishery's rules decide which baits are allowed.
How many trout can I keep?
On mountain waters, at most 10 salmonids a day in total, and only above the minimum size below.
What is the minimum size for brown trout, and when is the closed season?
In natural waters, the legal minimum size is 20 cm; smaller fish must be released. It has its own closed season: 1 October - 31 March. The general closed season also applies on natural waters: 9 April - 7 June.
Step-by-step guides
- Fishing knots: Improved clinch
- Releasing fish properly: Trout and grayling
Fishing for brown trout by county
Find where to fish in the RoFish app
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