Slovenia
In the realm of the marble trout
Slovenia boasts some of Europe’s most beautiful rivers – and they are inhabited by coveted species such as grayling, brown trout and rainbow trout. It is, however, the fabled marble trout that is the true king of Slovenia’s rivers – a salmonid endemic to the Adriatic Sea drainages of the Western part of the country.
The marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) is one of Europe’s most unique and overlooked species of trout. It is closely related to brown trout, but it differs in a number of ways; first and foremost, by the lack of black spots and by having very notable marbled patterns along the flanks and back. Furthermore, marble trout have a phenomenal and, in the world of trout, unparalleled ability to camouflage themselves. In fact, they can easily change colorations according to their current habitat, surroundings, and activity levels – and surprisingly fast. For instance, marble trout that dwell along the bottom – under boulders and undercut banks, usually display very dark colorations along their backs with broad, black stripes along the flanks. On the other hand, marble trout that hold in the free water masses and are actively feeding, are usually bright yellow with almost iridescent marbled patterns and, sometimes, discrete red spots. Fishermen will oftentimes experience marble trout that change colorations during the fight.
Marble Trout
Marble trout are closely related to brown trout – closely enough that the two species can hybridize and produce offspring that aren’t sterile. Brown trout aren’t endemic to the Adriatic Sea drainages, however. Like rainbow trout, they have been introduced in a wealth of different riversheds across the Balkans. Marble trout hybrids are very common – especially in Slovenia, and they are usually spectacularly decorated with a mixture of big, bright-red and black spots in addition to haloed marbled patterns along their backs, heads and cheeks.
If one disregards the Danube salmon, which is considered a primeval trout species, the marble trout is the biggest living trout species in Europe. There are unverified reports of specimens up to 30 kilos from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and from Slovenia there are several well-documented reports of fish up to 25 kilos. Among these is a fish caught by an Italian fly fisherman on the Soca River in 2009. It measured 120 cm and weighed an astounding 22,5 kilos.
Biology
Because they predominantly inhabit cold mountain streams, marble trout tend to grow relatively slow. To compensate, they can grow very old – as a minimum 10 years, but possibly even 20 years. Until they have reached a length of about 60 cm, they predominantly live off of smaller aquatic insects such as gammarus, caddis, mayflies, stonefly nymphs and the likes, and they feed actively in the whole water column; along the bottom, in the free water masses, in- and on the surface.
Larger specimens will still feed on smaller insects for periods of time, but to an ever-increasing extent they will favour prey items such as grayling, lamprey, freshwater sculpin, chub, nose, and smaller trout. When this dietary shift supervenes, the marble trout will really start to build body mass, and – in the process – it will slowly but surely change behaviour. It will now seek out the craggy structures along the bottom of the deepest pools and hiding spots under boulders, cliff fragments, cascades and waterfalls. Here, it will typically hide during the daylight hours only to emerge later, when darkness ascends, to hunt.
The Equipment
When chasing marble trout, you’ll need some seriously heavy gear. Not only are the marble trout extremely powerful fish, the flies used for catching them are heavy, bulky and difficult to cast. So bring along a relatively stiff 9’ #8-9 rod for the marbles, and don’t forget to stock up on grizzly-looking streamers that imitate everything from grayling to brown trout smolt and sculpins. Weighted flies are great, and sinking lines will help you reach into the deepest pockets of water. However, don’t forget that sometimes marble trout (usually the smaller ones between 40 and 60cm) will rise to dry flies.
When fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and grayling ordinary dry fly- and nymphing gear works brilliantly. Besides casting small streamers for rainbow trout and brown trout, the secret to success usually is fishing #20-30 nymphs and dryflies on hair-thin leaders (Be careful when striking, 0.08mm leaders have a tendency to snap, when too much brute force is involved). Usually, Gammarus patterns work well, when nymphing – but in general there is nothing general to be said about fly choice. The fauna and insect life on most rivers is so rich and the hatches so complex that you’ll just have to stock as much up on flies as possible and hope that you can find something that works, when the heat is on.
Endless Fishing Possibilities
The fishing possibilities in Slovenia are overwhelming and varied. And as a flyfisherman you have a wealth of exciting rivers and species of fish within close range.
In the South you’ll find the three rivers Unica, Krka and Kolpa – each offering unique fishing in captivating surroundings. The chalk stream Unica offers world-class grayling fishing with a fair chance of a record brown trout by-catch. The same holds true for the beautiful mountain river Kolpa, where the exciting danubian salmon also lure in the crystal clear depths. The slow flowing Krka on the other hand, is known for its fine rainbow- and brown trout fishing, and with the right mix of luck and skill, you might hook a fish in the five-six kilo range here.
Slovenia’s North-western corner is the home of the mountain rivers Trebuščica, Bača, Idrijca, Tolminka and Soca as well as its tributaries Lepena and Koritnica. All of these fast-flowing and crystal clear rivers are home to rainbow trout, brown trout, grayling, and not least marble trout.
Sava Bohinjka, Sava Dolinka, Radovna, as well as Selska Sora and Poljanska Sora are the most renowned rivers of the Northeastern corner of Slovenia. Here, great brown trout, rainbow trout and grayling fishing awaits you, and furthermore, you’ll have a chance of catching a danubian salmon. The rivers here are much more sedate and rich in fauna and oftentimes, phenomenal dry fly fishing can be had.
The season stretches from the end of April till October, and the fishing in the different rivers is typically administered by small fishing clubs. Daily licenses cost from 30-110 Euros per day.
BOOKING INQUIRY
*Disclaimer: In the Loop Magazine is in no way liable for the execution of trips booked via our contact form. In the
Loop Magazine merely liaises and forwards information requests.
All bookings and related services are handled by the actual lodges and guide agencies.