Trout fishery Forelderij is situated in a very peaceful part of the Dutch country, close to Enschede. The terrain of 2,8 hectare is surrounded by trees and other vegetation, so wind is seldom a problem when fishing one of the three ponds.

The ponds are up to four meters deep, the water is very clear and ideal for fishing with the fly-rod and artificial flies. The ponds can also be fished with dough and natural bait under a float or behind glass weights.

One pond is filled with rainbow trout, one with “salmon-trout” (large rainbow trout that have been fed with special food in order to get pink flesh) and one with a mix of the two. The ponds also hold small numbers of big (!) grass carp which are kept here to keep the weeds at a minimum.

The weeds had become a problem in 2015 and in March 2016 the ponds were emptied of water, the top layer of the sand was removed and than the ponds were refilled again. When I was there by the end of May, the water was beautifully clear again and there was just some algae on the bottom.

The Forelderij is part of a foundation, next to a trout fishery it is also a place where people that have been less lucky in life in one way or another, regain a feeling for a steady rhythm in their lives and a valuable working experience.

The ponds can be rented by groups, or you can fish a morning or afternoon session here on your own or with some friends. In the restaurant and the terrace on the terrain a very fine lunch with a selection of coffee or tee is served, it is also possible to arrange a barbecue here.

After making a photo recording and enjoying a nice lunch, I took the chance to fly-fish for a few hours in the middle pond. Casting to some trout that were cruising in one corner of the pond, I was soon connected to a strong rainbow trout (after missing the first to flash takes). The trout gave a good account of itself, on my #5 Scott outfit it took several minutes before I could lead it into the net.

There were only a few trout that were rising to insects every now and than, so I kept on fishing with nymphs and streamers. A White Booby fished on a sinking fly-line produced a firm take, but I could not get a firm hook hold.

An Olive Buzzer fished a few feet down a bung was taken by one of the grass carp (!). In the ten minutes that we were connected, it showed me all corners of the pond. Even after ten minutes I still had little control over the fish, than the hook suddenly came out…

Forelderij
Usselerrietweg 50
7546 PE Enschede
The Netherlands
Website: www.forelderij.nl