Location
Western Croatia; 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Spring
Majerovo vrelo – 465 meters above sea level.
Characteristics
Chalk stream, 10-20 m wide, depth varies from 1 to 4 m. Leight: 11 km.
Description
The Gacka River is a highly sought-after location and one of the most famous trout fishing spots in Europe and worldwide. It’s about a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Zagreb. The area is notably abundant in plant and animal life. Gacka River starts its journey from several lake springs; the most known are Tonkovića Vrilo and Majerovo Vrilo. The lakes are surrounded by beautiful water mills that use water’s gushing power. Gacka is the third-longest sinking river in the world. Originally 32 km long, the river’s course was cut down to 11 km with the construction of a Hydroelectric power plant in 1960. The aquatic vegetation is lush due to its good chemical composition, favourable water temperature, and muddy bottom. Rich oxygen levels favour aquatic insects, and their population is abundant. Gacka is a typical chalk stream; it slowly meanders through its flat and marshy valley surrounded by rocky hills. Riverbanks are almost absent from tall vegetation, which allows easy casting even for inexperienced anglers.
Fish Species
The Gacka River is famed for its Brown trout (Salmo trutta), truly a mecca for passionate fly fishermen. Because of the abundance of food, the Gacka brown trout grows faster than in any other trout water. Capital specimens of the Gacka’s trout have been known to grow up to 4/5 kg. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) can reach even larger sizes. There is not much, but Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) also swims in the river.
Type of fishing & equipment
Five- or six-weight rods 9 to 10 feet long should do in most situations. A floating line works best when fishing dry flies and light nymphs. Six- to seven-weight rods are recommended for streamer fishing. Sink tip lines might be helpful.
Season and regulations
A/ Fishing is permitted only with an artificial fly from the spring of the Gacka to Stanišić Bridge (the fifth concrete bridge). From the Podgora Bridge (the first bridge) upstream to the mouth of Sinačka pučina in the Gacka River, only catch and release is allowed.
B/ Downstream from Stanišić Bridge (the fifth concrete bridge), fishing is allowed with artificial flies and other artificial baits.
C/ On the lakes Švica and Gusić, fishing with natural baits is also allowed, provided that all fishing regulations are followed.
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Season Top Season
Capacity
Maximum 4 persons per trip.
Safety
Sunglasses, hats, sun lotion, mosquito repellent, waterproof clothes and wading staff are recommended. We always provide them, but you might prefer to take your own.
Nearest airports
Zagreb airport in Croatia (1 hour and 40 minutes drive to the town of Otočac), and Ljubljana in Slovenia (2 hours and 30 minutes drive to the town of Otočac).
Lodge
We usually accommodate our guests at the Gacka Hotel in Licko Lesce.
What Else
The Gacka River is close to Sjeverni Velebit National Park, also Plitvice Lakes National Park and Adriatic coast. Gacka valley has a very rich historical heritage. The oldest evidence of human habitation has been discovered in the Pećina cave and it dates back to the Middle Stone Age. Early Illyrian finds were discovered in the Bezdanjača cave near Vrhovine containing one of the largest cave necropolises in Europe.
Gallery Fishing River Gacka
