Fly Fishing in Germany, Part 7 (Fishing Test, etc.)

[This is part of a larger series on getting a fishing license in Germany. Click in the link "German Fishing Course/License” to read through all the posts on licenses and fishing in Deutschland..]

Greetings faithful readership!  As of last Thursday, I am now officially trained and qualified to legally catch fish and kill them, and to illegally catch fish and release them to live another day.  Here is a perfect test question that explains my frustration with German conservationism:

• Ist es sinnvoll, in einem Gewässer große Hechte zu schonen?
• Nein, den größere Fische sind schlechte Futterverwerter

...so the question essentially asks is it good to maintain large pike in a specific fishery, and the answer is, "No, because they eat too much."  And this might be true of pike, but it certainly speaks to the unfortunate disposition of Germans.  The average German (and probably the average American, but we aren't "trained") doesn't get told that the larger fish are better breeders.  So, they go out and catch and eat all those big fish and leave the little ones behind.  Thumbs down.

But, to be honest, I am just glad to have this whole process behind me.  I spent a few days before the test going through my self-typed questions and answers [I left out the foils as to avoid later confusion], highlighting the ones that were difficult to remember.  The highlighting allowed me to go over the tougher questions shortly before the test began.

I will say it was mildly comical how they handed out the official forms... like a graduation.  Remember, that to get a license as a person registered with a city/place in Germany, you'll need to take the fishing course, pass the state exam, and receive the certificate of completion.   Each office will require the original, official copy before they will give you your license.

Ok, with that said, I am now well on my way to making my first fly-fishing trip on Wednesday.  And here is what I've learned already about the process that you must know.

1. I had thought beforehand that I would have to buy a fishing license for every state I wanted to fish (like the US), but instead I have found out that I must only buy a license in the city where I live (or am registered).  My trip is planned for the Nidda in Hessen, so I'll need to get my license from Mainz, in Rhineland Pflaz, and then get my Erlaubnis/Permission form from the specific fishery club (Verein) or owner of the fishery.  Here's the complicated and crappy part of this whole deal: some (maybe most) of these fisheries only offer a one-day fishing "Erlaubnis," so I have to pay and pay and pay if I want to keep coming back.  This one isn't expensive (10 EU), but there is another fishery that is 25 EU a day.  That's a heck-of-a lot of money, in my opinion.  This situation makes me want to look seriously into joining the club of a nearby trout fishery.  I am pretty sure that will get rid of that daily fee.  But I will have to find out.
2. YOU MUST (it's the law) have these things with you while fishing: a net, a knife, a measuring instrument, a thick striking club for killing the fish, and a hook remover.  [I know, I know, even if you're not going to do any killing... have them with you.]

Ok, with that said, the next entry should involve me holding (fingers crossed) a few German trout.  I am getting excited!