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HUCHEN
The Huchen is a large species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is the type species of its genus. Some believe it still exists there with a few being caught each year but misidentified as Brown Trout. Unlike the Brown Trout and the Atlantic Salmon, both of which the Huchen resembles, it stays in the river systems and does not migrate to the sea.
The Huchen reaches about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in length and more than 50 kg (110 lb) in weight. The average length is about 60 to 120 centimetres (24 to 47 in). The Huchen has a slender body that is nearly round in cross-section. On the reddish brown back are several dark patches in an X or crescent shape. Within Europe, it will not be confused with any species except the Brown Trout or the Atlantic Salmon, which are also members of the Salmonidae family. The Huchen can be identified by counting the scales along the lateral line. It has by far the smallest scales numbering 180 200 as compared to 110 120 in the Brown Trout, and 120 130 in the Atlantic Salmon. It is completely covered with minute black speckles, but never has the red spots which may be present on the Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon.
Huchen fishing is allowed only with artificial baits. It is a very strong and aggressive fish, and grows to great sizes, so equipment must be appropriate. The fishing rod should be around 3 m(118In), casting weight from 40 to 80 g(0,05-0,1lbs), fishing line capacity 7 to 8 kg(14,5-17,6lbs), and compatible reel. It can be caught in all layers of water, depending from weather and water conditions. On the bottom, you should fish it on silicone lures, or spongy European bulhead, one of her favorites. When fishing in middle layers, the best lures are sinking and deep diving lures, natural colors, at clear water, and flashy colors, or rattling lures, at murky waters. Sometimes when Hutchen hunt on surface, we should use big floating cranckbaits or big spinners. Due to its great fighting ability and size, it is important to be patient and careful when have it on a hook, and keep it away from bottom or underwater obstacles, to prevent loosing the fish.
International
Endemic to Europe, where it is restricted to the Danube River and its tributaries, and occasionally in lakes within the Danube basin. It also occurs in the basin of the Prut River. Introduced into other European rivers early in the 1900's, it was largely unsuccessful. In the Thames River in England it was established at least until the 1930's. In historic times the huchen has also been found in the Dniestr basin. Sometimes it lives in big dam reservoirs on mountain rivers such as Czorsztyn Lake in Poland.