Whitefish fishing with chironomo is a very effective technique in lakes throughout the Alps and central Italy. The whitefish, also known as lavaret, is a very valuable and delicate fish that can be found at depths varying between 10 and 60 metres depending on the season. During the winter period and early spring it stays at depths of 30 to 60 metres and more. The closed season is from the beginning of November to mid-January in order to encourage reproduction, which takes place close to the shore. Unfortunately, it is also poached with scales at night when it approaches for spawning! The disadvantage of this type of reproduction is that, unfortunately, the lakes are too often regulated by dams or suffer from periods of drought that can destroy entire breeding years by lowering levels. More fortunate is the 'bondella', another species of whitefish, which instead reproduces in depth.
Many anglers believe that fishing for whitefish does not require a perfect imitation of the chironomo but rather the movement you make with the rod and the correct presentation. When you get to the bottom, you give a quick tap on the rod, trying not to pull the lead off the bottom, at which point you unhook it and make a very slow ascent to imitate the hatching towards the surface of the chironomo. I use multi-hook rigs, depending on the rules of the lake I am in, varying the colours of the lures. For 10-hook rigs, I make lines that vary between 2.50 and 3.00 metres.
