Here at Yellow Dog, we’re always on the lookout for the “next” great destination; exciting “new” fisheries to add to our diverse line-up of programs and possibilities. Sometimes these opportunities are found in exotic, off-the-grid locations where anglers are pioneering a fishery for the first time. Other times we look to established operations that may be “new” to Yellow Dog, but have been in existence for years. The country of Slovenia is definitely the later: a destination that has been on the radar of European anglers for decades, and now has been added to Yellow Dog’s line-up for travelers from the U.S. and other countries.
In October, I had the chance to visit the country as a guest of long time Slovenian guide and outfitter, Rok Lustrik. I was joined by my good buddy and regular travel companion, Tom Bie, editor and publisher of The Drake Magazine. Rok organized eight days of fishing and exploring the country, showing us the best waters in central Slovenia, the high Alpine regions, the Soča Valley of western Slovenia, and the Mediterranean and Karst fisheries in the southwest part of the country. Rok is the most established and experienced guide and outfitter in the country, in operation for more than 25 years. His expertise with the rivers and waters of Slovenia is unmatched, and with a ridiculously deep knowledge of the region and a lifetime spent fishing for trout, taimen, and grayling, there was no better host for visiting and fishing an area known as the “Green Heart of Europe.”
I have to admit that before my visit to Slovenia, I knew very little about the country, and I certainly did not expect that the fishing would be so good. I also did not expect Slovenia to be as modern, advanced, safe and friendly as what I experienced during my travels. It is definitely “old Europe” with regard to culture, history and overall look, but the country can easily be compared to more modern, highly functioning countries like Austria or Germany. (I think that a lot of Americans get confused by “Slovenia” and “Slovakia” due to their similar names. Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is located in southern Central Europe, bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. Slovakia, on the other hand, is situated in Central Europe, bordered by Poland, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Ukraine. While both countries are part of the European Union and share some cultural similarities due to their Central European locations, they have distinct languages, histories, and landscapes.)
ABOUT SLOVENIA
Slovenia’s modern history began with its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 following the collapse of communist regimes across eastern and southern Europe. Prior to that, Slovenia had been part of various empires and political entities for centuries, including the Roman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, Slovenia joined the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later renamed Yugoslavia). Under communist rule after World War II, Slovenia became one of the republics within Yugoslavia. The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s sparked Slovenia’s successful bid for independence after a brief, ten-day conflict known as the Slovenian War of Independence. Following its independence, Slovenia transitioned to a parliamentary democracy and underwent rapid economic and political reforms. It joined both the European Union and NATO in 2004, cementing its place as a stable and prosperous nation within Europe. Today, Slovenia is celebrated for its stunning landscapes, high quality of life, world-class fishing, and full integration into European political and economic systems.
THE FISHING
The fishing in Slovenia is without question the most diverse in all of Europe – not only for different species, but also when it comes to the incredible number of productive rivers and streams found all throughout the country. You could literally fish Slovenia every day for months and never fish the same waters twice! Depending on the time of year, anglers can access and experience everything from large tailwater rivers to tiny English-style chalk streams to high alpine creeks. Many of Slovenia’s rivers are known for their exceptional clarity and turquoise blue water, including the spectacular waters of the Soča valley. Some rivers are crystal clear, some are greenish, and some are almost electric blue.
There are two main rivers that largely define the fishing opportunities in the country: the Soča and the Sava. The Sava, which is Slovenia’s longest river, originates from two sources – the Sava Bohinjka and Sava Dolinka – and flows toward the southeast. The Soča is located in western Slovenia and is famous for its stunning emerald-green waters. The two rivers are geographically divided by the Julian Alps, with the Soča flowing toward the Adriatic Sea and the Sava flowing eastward toward the Danube River. These two main rivers determine which species are found in different parts of the country. Browns, rainbow trout and taimen inhabit the Sava system, while browns, rainbows and marble trout are the predominant species in the Soča system. Depending on the time of year and the specific river, European grayling can be found in both systems. The nice thing about basing out of the Kranj area in central Slovenia is that you can access all of these fisheries in less than an hour. The country itself is not that large, and geographically, it is basically the same size as the State of New Jersey. That makes for easy driving and relatively quick access to any river or fishery.
The sheer diversity of fishing scenarios, waters, and species collectively put Slovenia in a league of its own when it comes to fishing on the European continent. Some waters are ideal for beginners, while others are more technical – perfect for anglers that love spring creek scenarios and more challenging dry fly fishing. Over the course of our week in Slovenia, we waded and fished all types of waters – from crystal-clear alpine rivers in Triglav National Park, to classic chalk stream fisheries in the eastern part of the country. We also found great action on a number of larger tailwater rivers. Most of the streams and rivers in the country are small, fairly shallow, and very accessible, and 100% of the fishing in Slovenia is wade fishing. We caught everything from 14” rainbows to fat, wild brown trout, to several marble trout of varying sizes. We also landed numerous rainbows in the 20”-26” range – fat, healthy fish that were found in all types of waters. Tom managed to land one beefy European grayling mid-way through the week, which surprised both of us with its overall size. And finally, we did experience some legitimate taimen (hucho hucho) action, with Tom landing a great fish mid-way through the week.
FISH SPECIES
One of Slovenia’s big draws for anglers is the number of different species that are readily available, and arguably the most iconic species – what the country is perhaps best known for in angling circles – is the marble trout. Marble trout are an endemic species of trout found throughout the Adriatic basin, and they are perhaps most famous in the Soča River system. With an almost iridescent color, a distinct marbled pattern, and a size range that can vary anywhere from 12 inches to well over 10 pounds (with some fish growing larger than 40 pounds) the marble is an incredibly unique fish to catch on a fly.
Slovenia is also home to Danube Salmon – better known as huchen, hucho hucho, or simply taimen. Found throughout the Danube River basin in Europe, there are a number of rivers in Slovenia that are home to impressive numbers of these large, aggressive predators. The largest of the salmonid species, Taimen are considered potamodromous migratory fish, which means they migrate within freshwater systems (versus anadromous fish that migrate between fish and saltwater). With a lifespan of around 20 to 30 years in the wild, they are one of the most sought-after fish in the entire world of freshwater angling.
Other species include the European grayling, rainbow trout, and brown trout. These three species are found in most of the Slovenian rivers popular with anglers, and all are fairly accessible. The grayling are of course native, and the rainbows and browns are a mix of wild and stocked fish. Some rivers can deliver impressive numbers of trout (ideal for those who may be new to fly fishing) while other fisheries can deliver true trophy-sized trout.
GEAR AND EQUIPMENT FOR SLOVENIA
When it comes to equipment and gear for fishing Slovenia, anglers have some options. If you are traveling throughout Europe and incorporating some fishing in Slovenia with other (non-angling) travels, then you may want to travel light and leave your own gear behind. If this is the case, then our outfitter can provide the gear that you need, as long as we know sizes and specifics ahead of time. If you are traveling to Slovenia to focus on fishing, however, then we for sure recommend that you bring your own gear – especially your own waders and wading boots. For trout and grayling, light rods – 4 weights on the smaller streams and 5 weights on the larger rivers – are perfect, and floating lines are always standard. For taimen situations, larger 9 weight rods with heavy sink tips are recommended, and these heavier set-ups can absolutely be provided by the outfitter. For me, I brought my own waders and boots (which was a good thing, since I have a size 13 foot!) and my own trout gear. When we did taimen fish, I used Rok’s set-ups. It should also be noted that the guides will have the flies and the terminal tackle that you need, and those items are included in the overall package. A very detailed list of recommended equipment, and a specific packing list is provided as part of your pre-trip planning packet once you confirm your trip with Yellow Dog.
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES AND OFFERINGS
Now … the great thing about fishing trips to any of our European destinations (Ireland, Iceland, Spain, and now Slovenia) is that we can create itineraries that work well for both anglers and non-anglers! As is the case with much of “old Europe”, Slovenia offers an incredible number of non-angling activities, with endless opportunities to experience the history, culture, and character of this fascinating country. Slovenia is of course a haven for all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of recreational activities thanks to the country’s varied landscapes of mountains, rivers, forests, and Mediterranean coastline. Hiking is very popular in the Julian Alps, and especially in Triglav National Park, where visitors can summit Slovenia’s highest peak, Mount Triglav. Water sports, including rafting and kayaking, are popular in the Soča River Valley, while Slovenia’s short but beautiful Adriatic coastline offers opportunities for sailing and swimming.
For the non-outdoor options, caving in the famous Postojna and Škocjan caves attracts many tourists, and the wine regions of Slovenia, such as Goriška Brda, offer scenic routes for cycling and wine tasting. Slovenia also offers a wealth of cultural experiences, with a rich history and diverse influences from its Central European, Mediterranean, and Balkan neighbors. Ljubljana, the capital, is a cultural must-see, with its charming Old Town, iconic Ljubljana Castle, and the Triple Bridge designed by architect Jože Plečnik. The city’s vibrant arts scene is reflected in museums like the National Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art. Lake Bled and its fairytale-like Bled Castle offer breathtaking views and historical insight, and the Postojna Cave is one of the largest and most fascinating karst caves in the world.
THE WEATHER AND FISHING CONDITIONS
Slovenia has a diverse climate due to its varied geography, with influences from the Mediterranean, Alpine, and continental climates. This leads to significant regional variations in weather throughout the year, although during the primary fishing season (April through early October) the weather can best be compared to that of the Rocky Mountain region in the Western U.S. The central and eastern parts of Slovenia, including the capital Ljubljana and the area surrounding the town of Kranj, have what is best described as a continental climate, with warm to (at times) hot summers. Summer temperatures average around 80°F for most days. In the southwestern part of Slovenia, near the Adriatic Sea, the climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers. In the northwestern part of the country – Slovenia’s Alpine Region in the Julian Alps – the climate is high mountain with cooler summers. Summer highs in this region are usually around 65°-70°F), ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing.
During our time in country, we dealt with overcast days and a bit of rain. But the challenging thing was that we arrived after several weeks of heavy rain, and the rivers were swollen, running high, and generally off-color. But the great thing about Slovenia is that there are so many options, which meant we fished smaller waters for the first half of the trip until river levels dropped and clarity returned. The biggest take-away from this experience is that the guides always have options – regardless of the weather or conditions! Once the rivers did drop for the second half of the trip, we experienced some of the “classic” waters such as the legendary Soca River – one of the most beautiful pieces of water on the planet.
TRAVEL DETAILS
Most travelers headed to Slovenia will fly in and out of Ljubljana International Airport. Direct flights to Ljubljana are available from several European cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, Zurich, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Travelers can also fly into other regional international airports close to Slovenia, including Trieste or Venice in Italy, Zagreb in Croatia, or Budapest in Hungary. Ground transfers can then be arranged from any of these cities, although there may be additional fees for ground transfers from destinations other than Ljubljana. Yellow Dog will be happy to assist with all options and details. If you are traveling to Slovenia as part of a varied European travel itinerary, train travel to Slovenia is also a great option from numerous European cities. If you would like Yellow Dog’s travel services to handle airline reservations and itinerary, we will be happy to take care of everything.
Ljubljana has a small and easily-navigated international airport, located less than 30 minutes from most of our accommodation and hotel options in the Kranj area. The arrival process at Ljubljana Airport is typically straightforward and user-friendly. For international travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area, the first step is passport control, where non-EU citizens will need to present their passport. After passing through control, you’ll head to the baggage claim area. The airport is relatively small, so the process is quick, and your luggage should arrive promptly after your flight.
FINAL TAKE-AWAYS …
WHO IS BEST-SUITED FOR THIS DESTINATION?
Anglers of all skill levels, couples looking to combined angling with great European non-angling options, and anyone looking for a refined, “old Europe” setting that offers great fishing action.
WHAT IS THE IDEAL LENGTH OF TRIP FOR FISHING SLOVENIA?
While itineraries of any length can be set up, we highly recommend a week-long trip, as there are so many waters to fish and explore throughout Slovenia! Contact Yellow Dog for itinerary ideas and options.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR FOR FISHING THIS DESTINATION?
Although the main fishing season runs from late March until late October, you can find year-round fishing opportunities in Slovenia (even in the winter months for taimen!) April and May usually deliver excellent hatches, and September and October can be great months for big fish. June and July are also productive, but be aware that the weather can be hot mid-summer.
WHAT DOMUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER SLOVENIA?
A valid passport is required for all foreign visitors to Slovenia, and citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, Canada, and the European Community are not required to have Visas to enter the country.
HOW TO SECURE A FISHING LICENSE?
Anglers are required to obtain and possess a fishing license for all fishing scenarios in Slovenia. The complicated thing with the national license system is that there is no national license! Instead, anglers have to secure a specific license for each river or section of river fished. For all Yellow Dog packages, however, these daily fishing licenses are included and taken care of.
HOW TO BOOK A SLOVENIA PACKAGE?
Reach out to Jim Klug or Sam Mebane at Yellow Dog and we can get things started! Once we have an idea of time and a general trip length, we can then put together itinerary options and details. Give us a call at 406-585-8667 or CLICK HERE to read more about Slovenia.
