Fly Fishing the Rivers of Slovenia
Being only a couple of hours travel from the UK Slovenia is a must visit fly fishing destination. Nestled in the heart of Europe this small country offers some of the world’s finest trout and grayling fly fishing.
Slovenia is an excellent option for those looking for long weekends or full week-long trips. The season fishes well from April through to early October, and even in the winter time for the unique Danube salmon.
What is it that makes Slovenia such a special destination? There are many reasons, but stunning scenery, great fishing, clear waters and ease of access are a few.
The gin-clear rivers benefit throughout the season from snowmelt. This drains through porous rock before resurfacing as mineral-rich spring water. The result is the water that runs cool throughout the summer and offers perfect growing conditions for fly life and fish.
In the North West of Slovenia, there are two river systems which offer some of the world’s finest river fishing. The longest alpine river in Slovenia, the Sava, and the Adriatic basin’s Soča River.
Small mountain tributaries of sky blue water flow from the Julian Alps into Soča and Sana. Due to the clarity of the water, there are plentiful opportunities for sight fishing. It isn’t easy to find fishing of this style or rivers of this nature closer than New Zealand.
When To Go
Spring
The thaw in early spring results in some rivers carrying snow melt and often the best fishing is had in the tributaries, these are equally beautiful and provide great sport. April can be a wet month but our experienced guide team has the knowledge and access to have great fishing even in high water. Various rivers in the area react differently rainfall, on some there may be two to three days delay before the water height increases, and at such times we fish these only returning to the main rivers when the level has settled. Fishing with nymphs is the mainstay at this time of the season, but if conditions are you can fish dry flies during the daytime.
Summer
Throughout the summer (July, August) fishing can be excellent. The water temperature can be warm on some larger rivers, but on smaller creeks and tributaries where there is more cover it is cooler and fishing can be sensational. In summer there are no concerns of snow melt or high water. If the days are sunny and hot, the evening hatches are not to be missed.
Autumn
Autumn (September, October and November) is the time when all the Salmonid family starts to feed more intensively to prepare for long winter ahead. The scenery changes dramatically as the leaves turn from green to brilliant red and gold. As the days become shorter hatches tend to be more sparse, but if the sun comes out, which it often does, you will catch fish on the dry fly during the day.
Winter
Winter is a special time of year and is reserved for Danube salmon. For years this fish has been widely targeted on spinning tackle in Slovenia, but our team of guides have perfected the art catching them on fly. These powerful “huchen” can be an elusive quarry, but are well worth the effort. Landing your first 40 inch land locked salmon is an experience not to be missed. Aside from fishing, the Slovenian winter can offer a range of other sporting activities, such as skiing, tobogganing or sledding. Our guides are experts at all these things, and licensed to provide these activities.
Slovenia Fly Fishing Accommodation
A wide variety of good accommodation in the historic towns of Bled and Kobarid gives great to access the Soca, Sava and their tributaries.
To fish the Sava and its tributaries, the beautiful spa town of Bled is the best place to base yourself. Located 30 minutes from the capital of Ljubljana it is easy to get to and provides good access to the swift mountain streams.
Kobarid is perfectly positioned to target much of the Soča River and its tributaries. On the other side of the Julian Alps to the Sava River, Soča system typically offers much bigger rivers.
Travelling to Slovenia
DIRECT BRITISH AIRWAYS FROM LONDON HEATHROW
The latest British Airways schedule operates seasonally with daily flights during the summer months from London Heathrow to Ljubljana. This is the perfect option for those looking to travel in comfort and with alternative time options to the regular EasyJet flights.
EasyJet will still offer direct flights to Ljubljana from both London Stansted and London Gatwick.
For more information about fly fishing in Slovenia please contact Alex Jardine. Alternatively you can call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.