Slovenia Fly Fishing Blog

Just before the second Season start - April the 1st - rivers flowing into Adriatic, the memories keep me coming back to one of the fly fishing days at River Idrijca. From the memory, after few days guiding at different rivers in Slovenia at mid-September, where fishing was good, but nothing spectacular, we have chosen one of those mellow days. With an outlook of possible rain shower, when company at the day fishing is more important than the fish count at the end of the day, but with a potential of mid-day hatches that could make or break the day.

In last post we shed some light on basic characteristics of marble trout (Salmo trutta marmoratus), from its distribution areal, to general description of the species, co-existence with other trout and specifics unique to the species. If you haven’t done so, it could be a good read, before you move to this sequel. The focus of this post is to provide you with directions to fly fishing for marble trout in Slovenia.

The summary of last year’s fly fishing season at chalk-stream Gacka has been long seasoning in my mind. One of the reasons being so much complexity been confronted with, from the COVID global situation, linked to restrictions in traveling, to varying levels of activity at water - not an easy task to put a final verdict on it. Therefore, decided to take the middle way, describing few episodes from the water and by the end try to pull the free strings together. Even though my memories over time distilled into the resume, it is a subjective perception of my fly fishing journey at Gacka. Keep this limitation in mind, when you read on...

Description and distribution
Marble trout (Salmo marmoratus; Cuvier 1817), endemic species, characterized by distinctive marbled color pattern. In Slovenia has catched the name Soca trout. The large head is one of the characteristics predominant in the species, while huge variation in size and color between the habitat types exist.

Personally, not appreciating the fishing pressure some Slovenian Rivers are facin’ in normal times and will therefore always be on a lookout for new fishing opportunities other could provide. For me, the quest starts with a chance on wild trout fishing. Guess, it comes with age, to refine your fishing goals and to return to some rivers that hold a special memory in your heart. Not willing to lose direction, but you all heard the old adage, coming upfront in fly fishing talks: »Remember a good fishing this river, or the other, provided ten, twenty years ago? What an abundance of fish, etc. “

This year has seen me visiting River Vipava on few occasions. One of the reasons has been the post-lockdown and therefore less guided fishing trips with clients in June, begin July, but also it has to be said, that my interest for specific stream grows exponentially, when wild fish populations are vital enough to justify the drive-in ;)