River Tiber, Italy
All roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes, and if you follow the river Tiber, it will eventually bring you right into the Eternal city. With its source in the Apennines, the Tiber begins its journey through central Italy, crossing Tuscany, winding through Rome, before greeting the sea some 400 km from the mountains.
The Tiber is most famous for its huge population of Brown trout of all shapes and sizes. The biggest specimens are reported to be more than 100 cm long and can reach a weight of 10 kg.
Besides trout, graylings also represent a big part of the ecosystem and are a joy for all grayling lovers, since the fish can’t be found in every river, at least not in such an abundance.
The season begins in April, leading to the first peak in August/September. With certain stretches of the river being exclusively meant for catch and release fly fishermen, Tiber is a perfect choice when visiting Italy.
River Soča, Slovenia
Soča river is believed to be one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, offering the best fly fishing in Slovenia, possibly even in Europe! Sourcing in Slovenian Alps, it runs through the Soča Valley, surrounded by mountains and untouched nature of the Julian Alps, crosses the border into Italy and concludes its 130-km-long journey in the Adriatic Sea.
Soča is home to a very special fish, which is endemic in this region. Marble trout is the reason why this river attracts hundreds of fishermen every year, all wanting to catch this alpine beauty. From being almost extinct a few decades ago, its population has been recovering ever since, and with care of fishing clubs operating the Soča, this special species is thriving yet again. The hard work was rewarded a few years ago when a record Marble trout was caught, measuring more than 120 cm and weighing over 22 kg!
Besides Marble trout, the river is home to Brown trout, Rainbow trout and even Grayling.
The season begins in April and depends on the amount of snow melting in the mountains. May is usually a great month for fishing. During September and October, the fishing season reaches its peak, and is most busy with fly fishermen.
River Traun, Austria
River Traun is another beauty from a collection of Alpine rivers which certainly ranks high in the top fly fishing rivers in Europe. It sources in the Northern Alps, runs through the city of Traun and eventually ends its 150km long journey by connecting to the Danube river at the city of Linz.
The Traun river is home to Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Grayling and even some big specimens of Lake trout. With the most common catch being the Rainbow, it is not uncommon for a Grayling of over 50 cm to grab your fly.
The most productive part of the river is called Gmundner Traum, which is around 15 km long and where the season lasts from the beginning of April to the end of November.
River Wye, UK
River Wye is one of the most popular fly fishing destinations in the UK. A length of almost 250 km, it is one of the longest rivers on the Island, its source being in Wales and mouth in the Severn Estuary.
There are many places to wet a line along the Wye, since it’s very clean and its fish population is plentiful.
Apart from the most wanted and recognisable fish in the river, Atlantic Salmon, it doesn’t lack other fish species such as Chub, Trout and Barbel, the latter being most popular for using a ground bait technique.
Salmon is the main target for fly fishermen in the lower parts of the Wye Valley. The season lasts from 3 March to 17 October with its peak in spring when salmon migrate up the river. Nowadays, the biggest specimens caught can weigh up to 16 kg, but a long-standing record from the previous century stands at a staggering 27 kg!
Hintersee Lake, Germany
Let’s conclude the list of our best European fly fishing destinations with this beautiful lake in Germany. Hintersee is located in the German Alps, near the city of Marsau near the Berchtesgaden National Park.
It is around 20 hectares in size with shallow areas alternating with deep pools, making it one of the best and most attractive fly fishing lakes in Europe.
Hintersee is home to a dense population of Brown trout, with some beautiful Brook trout adding to the lake’s diverse mix. With a special stocking plan from the Fishing club, the fish are constantly growing in numbers. Today, with an abundance of natural food, the local trout are reaching lengths of over 80 cm.
The season starts in the beginning of May and lasts until October. Fishing is possible from the shore, or for those who want more peace, especially in the summer months, fishing from a boat is also a superb option.
Other great locations for fishing
In this section, we recommend some additional locations which are definitely worth considering when planning a trip!
Our partners from abroad will be happy to help you with anything you need for your trip.
Fishing Tuna in Croatia: https://croatiatunafishing.com/
Our brand devoted entirely to Fly fishing: https://slovenia-fly-fishing.com/
