Marbellous Trout Fishing (Soca, Idrjica & Tributaries – Slovenia)

The highlight of this trip is the endemic to the Adriatic Basin Marble trout. Fish up to 60 cm are caught regularly, but much bigger ones inhabit the waters of the Iconic Soca & Idrjica rivers. The start of the season is the prime time to catch those prized trophies. Nymph, streamer or dry fly can all work depending on conditions. Join me in this ultimate trout adventure – the hunt for marmorata.

Fishing methods: Fly Fishing

Fish species: Marble trout, brown trout, hybrids, rainbow trout

Max 4 rods per trip. (1 guide per two anglers)

Included:

Five full days fishing on the rivers Soca, Idrjica and their tributaries.

All licences for the five days of fishing.

Accommodation- 6 nights in single rooms at Vila Noblesa Lodge. Two rooms per bungalow.

Food-Full Board. Breakfast & 5-course dinner at Vila Noblesa.  We can have lunch at a restaurant by the river or organize a riverside BBQ.

Transport from Ljubljana airport to the place of accommodation and at all times during the fishing.

Stanislav Mankov will be the group’s host & guide.

Not Included:

Fishing tackle: rods, reels, and lines (a complete set-up can be rented for 20£ per day).

Flies. We have a good range of well-proven patterns to offer you.

Insurances.

Itinerary:

• Day 1:

Guests are picked up from their point of arrival (Ljubljana Airport), and we drive to Vila Noblesa Lodge. Welcoming dinner

• Days 2 to 6

Marbellous trout fishing on some of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Soca, Idrjica and their tributaries.

• Day 7

Breakfast & Returning on our way back.

More detailed information on the River Soca can be found here.

More detailed information on the river Idrjica can be found here.

Vila Noblesa is by far the best fly fishing lodge I have visited in the Balkans!

In an abundance of natural beauty and cultural signs. Vila Noblesa overlooks Lake Most na Soci.
La Vila is located at the confluence of the Soca and Idrijca rivers.

Vila Noblesa represents a 2-bedroom property with a shared lounge. The centre of Most Na Soci is nearly 1 km from the venue. Soci Lake is accessible within 15 minutes’ walk. Everything here exudes fishing; Branko, a renowned fly tyer, will provide you with “the” fly of the day. You can attend an editing session that you will remember for a long time.

Lunches and dinners are taken in Branko’s large house and are hearty and refined, accompanied by local wines.

Rods and Lines

The Marble trout is the biggest representative of the trout family, so we have to be prepared with strong and reliable tackle to have our chances to land a dream fish. 5 and 6 wt rods from 9 to 10 ft are recommended for dry fly and nymph fishing. When we want to chase marbles with a streamer, then a higher AFTMA from 8 to 10 is recommended for single-handed rods. 6 to 8 wt trout spey can also do an excellent job and help you keep your distance from those spooky fish. Floating lines are essential for the dry fly and nymph fishing. We often use sink tip lines and triple-density sinking shooting heads regarding streamers.

Flies
In most situations, the good old pheasant tail nymph works excellently with copper or silver beads from 3 to 4 mm. The marbles really prefer the nymphs’ natural colours, mostly imitating the nymphs of the Blue-winged Olives hatching at the beginning of the season.

Many good dry flies tied as mergers of the BWO or parachute style are always a good choice for the rising marbles. The famous Branko Killer pattern is a must-have, and you will have the unique opportunity to buy it from its creator and hear his story.

Sculpin imitations are always a good choice as they are a big marble favourite food choice. Other bigger streamers in olive, white and grey colours up to 16cm in length can be successfully used.

Tactic and Strategy
Long leaders up to 18 ft are essential when dry fly fishing. Different nymph fishing strategies can be used.  Some European-style techniques can also be extremely effective for marble trout and also be used for heavier jig streamers.

Regarding streamers, perhaps the short shooting heads used with a trout spey rod with different sinking rates can work excellently.