Fly Fishing in Slovenia - your way of enjoying pristine waters

Ever heard of a miniature country Slovenia offering gorgeous landscapes, from the snow-capped Alpine peaks, turquoise-green rivers, to Venetian-style coastline. Sure, it may not be easy to find on the map, but you’ll have a hard time finding a place so small offering so much. As a dedicated fly fisherman, chances are good Slovenia already came on your radar screen. We provide you with the glimpse into why it should get high on a bucket-list as your next fly-fishing destination.

​Let’s start with the breathtaking nature and waters diversity. Slovenia is concocted as a blue country of Europe, with hundreds of kilometers fishable streams and creeks of a great variety, from the chalk streams, to freestone's and enchanting lakes. 
 
The Alpine river Soca, which captivates you with its crystal clear emerald blue water, flowing through the breathtaking green countryside, under the Alpine peaks. It offers home to native species marble trout (Salmo marmoratus), closely related to brown trout in appearance and behavior. Solid sized marble trout rely on insect diet and are therefore targeted with classic fly fishing techniques - long line sight nymphing, in faster waters with short line nymphing and high sticking and in hatch also with a dry fly. The larger specimens of up to a meter in length, are exhibiting predatory lifestyle and are targeted with larger or/and heavier streamers. The species is like the brown trout most of the day covering in the shade or around obstructions, but as the hatches get more intensive or in the dusk - dawn phases of the day, the activity burst… 

​Enigmatic chalk streams Obrh, Krka and Unica, all offer a lot for non-discerning angler. Obrh is one of the few chalk streams that you may fish by yourself – for the price. With the acquiring of a daily licence, you get the right to fly fish for brown trout on this water exclusively or with your friend/s if you decide so. Almost unheard of in our modern world and one of the top wild brown trout fisheries in Slovenia on top of this. The Unica chalk stream is the grayling heaven and most of the district is dry-fly only. Anyone eager for the large yellow Mayfly hatch (Ephemera danica), plan to reach Slovenia by the mid May. No gimmick with identification of the species; if you see light olive or creamy 4 cm flies on the river, you’ll know what you see. Bring the healthy dose of yellow mayfly emergers size 8-10 and at the front end of the hatch creamy (burrowing) mayfly nymphs of the same size and be ready for some action. My fly fishing diaries confirm the best Danica hatches happen under a warm morning or early afternoon sun. Interesting fishing.

​Moving on to the Idrijca River. Not an easy one to put in a box, a mix of chalk stream and freestone river, if there is one. One of the most demanding rivers in Slovenia, seeing great pressure in months May to end of June, when the marble trout and hybrids are most active. With our guides team, we have a saying: “If you are successful at Idrijca, you may go fishing anywhere in the world.” Unbelievable hatches, big fish taking flies in the surface film, what’s not we don’t know… There is one rule to Idrijca - there is none. The activity is constantly changing, multiple hatches are on the daily menu and fish key on what they like at the moment. To be successful, you got to be constantly changing the tactics on the water, sight fishing is the course of the day fishing. The fly fishing academy…
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There is no off-season in Slovenia, which is something every fisherman can love! The trout season starts in March with opening of few rivers, others open April the first. The season then slowly progresses with the first peak between end of April to end of June. During the summer months the Alpine streams see most action, as you may cool down even in the dog days in the ice cold waters of Soca and tributaries. As the trout season comes to halt by end of October, we pass our winters chasing the predatory Danube salmon - Huchen (Hucho hucho), near relative Taimen the fish of one thousand casts. 
 
Whether you are a seasoned and experienced angler or a first timer who wants to learn to fly fish, there is a fishery for any capabilities and desires. If you desire a guided fly fishing experience, our GoFlyfishing Slovenia guide team will help you through diversity of fishing options and move you the direction of fully fledged - unforgettable Slovenia's fly fishing experience.
 
The only question that remains is: what’s going to be your way of fishing Slovenia?