Val di Non, a valley in the Trentino region of Italy that provides a home to the lower reaches of the Noce River, a tributary of the Adige River. The Valley Of The Non is dotted with medieval towns featuring impressive castles overlooking the clear waters. The valley is mainly cultivated from orchards to apple trees, making the most of the large sunny hill slopes that descend towards the course of the river.
Mountain agriculture, the integration of man and nature in Trentino are wonderful examples of dedication and attachment that the local people have to the land. A land that promises a lot and gives a lot, but that feeds on the daily hard work of its labourers. It is a valley that almost stands still in time, a trait that soon rubs off on its visitors as the pace of life slows down for everyone and gives time to fully enjoy the peace and silence that only the mountains can give.
The Valley di Non carves deep into the Brenta Dolomites and offers the ideal starting point for long walks at high altitude or for short excursions around Lago di Santa Giustina. The whole region is perfect for hiking. Short excursions are made even more exciting and interesting thanks to the rich history of the valley with many routes including the countless castles, palaces, noble mansions, and historic houses. An area that combines fantastic outdoor adventures and culture.
This part of Italy provides a mild climate, perfect for the spectacle of apple tree blossom in the spring, and the luscious forests and the intense smell of conifers in the summer. The beautiful lakes and numerous rivers can be enjoyed almost year round. The valley provides numerous accommodation options along with dozens of local places to enjoy the finest in local cuisine, all accompanied by a good local wine and excellent apple juice.
The Noce River is one of the most beautiful and trout-rich rivers in Trentino. It rises in the Stelvio National Park and cuts its way through Val di Non for more than 30 km, feeding two lakes on its journey to the Adige River. The queen of the river are the marble trout (Marmorata) and the brown trout which, thanks to the exceptional quality of the waters and the richness of the food, manage to reach remarkable sizes. fish of over 70 cm in length are not uncommon each season.
The river is incredibly diverse, with each section offering something unique to the fly angler from broad open reaches to fast narrow runs and rock pockets. It is easy to see why the trout enjoy this home. For the angler the diversity offers a chance to practice all fly fishing methods; from dry flies to nymphs and streamers.
In the upper section of Val di Non, the Noce flows underneath high rock faces that form an impressive canyon. The river cuts deep holes under the rocks which creates great summertime lies for the trout with nice pool tailouts for dry fly fishing. Anglers can easily explore fast currents to areas with slower water and deeper holes. The riverbed is quite rocky through this section interspersed short gravel runs and grassy banks.
Below the uppermost lake dam, the river and valley change in nature, featuring large open areas with lush vegetation and raised banks. The gravel riverbed is constantly changing but the fishing is just as impressive. The predominance of willow and alder trees provides shelter and food for mid-summer risers. This beautiful section of river is made all the better with the prevalence of the marble trout too.
For more information about fly fishing in Italy please contact Alex Jardine. Alternatively you can call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.