Chotilsko is a private water about 40 minutes from Prague, in the Central Bohemian Region — one of the spots I went to film another episode of the trips-by-the-water series. Booking ahead is required; access isn’t open like on a public water.
Where to find it and how to get there
The drive is easy even without knowing the area, but keep in mind it’s a private water — without arranging it beforehand, you won’t get to the water.
What the pond is like
Calm, space, and an atmosphere that makes it worth visiting just to sit by the water. For filming it’s an ideal combination — no noise, just water, forest, and time.
Gear and the reality of a day by the water
The boat and sonar did their job, but the reality of filming by the water is different from planning it at a desk — reliable gear matters more than it seems. Batteries, cards, spare cables — you can’t buy those out on the water.
Waiting… and then it breaks
Most of fishing is waiting. And then it suddenly breaks — the shot you’ve been waiting hours for happens in two seconds, and you need to be ready for it.
The night the camera couldn’t handle, but the photo camera could
In the dark, the video camera does what it can, but limits are limits. A photo camera with better low-light performance saved an evening that would otherwise have stayed only in memory. Lesson for next time: for night scenes, reach for a photo camera over a video camera unless you’re running specialized gear.
Is Chotilsko pond worth it?
For the calm, the space, and good filming conditions — yes. It’s a private water, so plan for booking ahead, but the bit of extra organizing pays off.
