There are, on the other hand, many canals. Initially dug to exhaust the overflow from the "polders" (new land made by windmills, something Holland is famous for), some of them inhabit a special kind of fish: The golden roach (Rutilus Rythropthalmus L.).
This fish, which is extremely shy, is only to be caught on lightweight gear and with greatest caution.
Also the environment contributes to that. The soaked ground passes every tremor you make by walking to the water, scaring the fish, and leaving you staring at some underwater dustclouds with great disappointment..
The canals around the city of Enkhuizen have a healthy population of these fish. And i was therefore present at noon to test my luck there.
Equipped with my #3 parabolic rod and a box full of tiny dries (deerhair caddis hook 18, mosquitos hook 16 and some red tags) i tried to localise the schole of roaches. They were quickly found, and the first victim was easily taken..
There were some significantly larger specimen present though, and after silence returned to the water, one of those carefully took my fly.
After i hooked the fish, the ankle-deep water exploded, and my ultra-light rod bowed deep, due to respect for the roach's blunt power.
A piece of massive gold, with flaming red fins was landed, and after i returned it to the water where it belongs, i sat down to enjoy the moment..
After this exposure of power, all fish was gone. Fortunately i was able to localise them 30 meters downstream again, and some smaller representatives of their kind got hooked and released again.
Just before sunset i hooked another big one again, completing my satisfaction..
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