Slovenia Fly Fishing Blog

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...

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 ;)

​This year we have seen unbelievable amount of rain filling the Slovenian Alps rivers in May, which translated into most of them running normal even through the hottest days of August. Nothing to complain - as in recent decades we are seeing the trend of green winters coming and going - healthy water levels in summer brings joy to us. 
 
June to October we were regularly bringing clients to these sacred waters. From the newcomers to the sport, to the proficient fly fisherman, we enjoyed a perfect dry fly and nymph sport. 

​At the peak of the guiding season, had to test the fish activity zones at Slovenian Jurassic Lake before hitting it with the client the day after. A plan was formed as soon as the client expressed his will to try the wild fish lake – calling a friend and we were already eager to get into the next adventure the day after. Behind the fly tying bench to the midnight and then sleeping it over to be ready for a new big day. 

​Another day at Vipava... Ok, not so humble – another great day on Vipava River, would be more appropriate to tell the whole truth of it. Although I'll come to it by the end of this short report.
 
At the end of month June, it finally came up together, few days off guiding, were all I needed to make me start on a day fishing. The water levels have been coming down to the somewhat normal and calling a friend a day before the day D, he gave me all the info I needed: »Go for it, it is the day! « Who am I to argue about it – right? I hope, I'll never get enough of it! 

A lot of planning went into this – second fishing session planned in the April. Changing weather conditions and work assignments have left me visualizing the magical Gacka, but all in all it just wasn't meant to be. Month May started full of work and no free time for a two-daily session... ​