Radovna River Fly Fishing

Country: Slovenia

District: Gorenjska

Type: River

Location size
River: 10 km

Distance from
Ljubljana: 65 km
Bled: 5 km

Fisheries Research Institute which manages the Radovna river- official instance where you can find general info and assistance with regulations and licences
www.zzrs.si/index.php/en/Fishing/Radovna/

Radovna river (also known as Radolna, Radovina, Rothwein, Radovna-Sava and among locals also the Rdečevinska river) is a typical alpine river, which flows in the valleys of Upper and Lower Radovna in the Triglav National Park. Radovna valley is located between plateau of Pokljuka and Mežakla.

Ground source of the Radovna river is Jutrova rock. Majority of the water comes from the underground sources of the Kotarica and Krmarica creeks. River itself, has many tributaries (Zmrzlek, Ravnik, Lipnik, Smešnik, Budin, Ribščica in Rečica). Along its 17km way through the Radovna valley, river drops from about 250 meters. The highest water level is in the spring, when snow melts and in the autumn, when there is more precipitation. It forms a wonderful Vintgar gorge in the lower part. At the end of the gorge it forms a Šum waterfall.

Alpine pearl in the Triglav National Park

How To Get There

Use the town Bled as a central point to the fishery. From the town Bled follow main road towards Zg. Gorje. You may find parking places near the riverside with direct water-access around the main villages near the river.

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Location Details

For about a 5 km long section from the source to below the village of Sr. Radovna the river is quite narrow. From there towards the Vintgar gorge it is mostly wider. River has a rocky bottom which is mostly easyfor wading. Upper part is inhabited by the genuine brown trout, lower rainbows and brooks can be found. River is mostly quite shallow, with some pools from 0,5m to 2 or 3 meter depth. River runs quite fast all the way towards the Vintgar gorge. The river is mostly well accessible. Please respect that you should not park out of the marked parking places due to Triglav National Park regulations. Penalties could be high.

The river surroundings are really scenic as it flows through the alpine valley, surrounded by the mountains. Only the main stream is fishable. Tributaries are not fishable.

Species

Radovna is inhabited by brown trouts (aprox. 70%), rainbow trouts (25%) and brook trouts (5%). Most trout will not reach more than 35 cm. Most of the fast water in the middle and lower part of the river holds also a rainbow and some brook trout. All of these are usually a wild fish. There is very little stocked fish in the Radovna river.

How To Fish

During spring months with high water levels, it is preferable to fish with a heavier nymphs and smaller streamers which could be also a tungsten or jig headed ones. The most beautiful dry fly season starts in the summer months, when brown trouts usually take mayflies from the surface all day long. Dry flies such as imitations of sedges and smaller mayflies, the F-fly, Needle fly, CDC&Elk, BWO, are effective at this time, usually in sizes from 18 to 12.

Equipment

We recommend an AFTMA 0-5 rod 220 - 300 cm long and a floating line (with sinking tip when water level is high). Tippets from 7X to 5X are recommended for dry fly fishing and nymphing, for fishing with streamers use stronger tippet (5X-4X). Since the river can be difficult to wade, high waders are a must. Be careful of numerous boulders in the river bed.

Practical Info

The fishing season lasts from March 1st to the end of October, except for the C&R part, which is opened from March 1st to the end of September. Outside the fishing season fishing is strictly prohibited!

Wading is not so dangerous, but a wading stick is recommended when trying to cross the river in rapids parts. Spring fishing is mostly dependant on nymph fishing, but in summer and autumn dry fly fishing can be practiced all day long. There are no rafters and canoeists on the river as it is forbidden to use boats on it.

The height of the season is from June to the end of September. Accommodation and restaurants can be found in the nearby villages Zgornja and Spodnja Radovna, Hom or Bled which is a tourist centre and where the fly fishing store can be found.

Radovna is convenient for beginners in all its length.
Flyfishing is possible without guide but in case wanted ...booking a guide can be done at http://www.lustrik.com.

License is required throughout whole fishing area / note: strict control is carried out! License can be bought in the restaurants and a shop nearby.

License can be bought for a duration of 1 day / 3 days / 1 week / 20 days/ yearly

Catch and release is applied in the section from the bridge in Srednja Radovna by lake Kreda to the outflow of hydroelectric plant HE Radovna in Spodnja Radovna. (season 1.3. to 30.9.)

Fisheries Institute of Slovenia (manages the entire river)
www.zzrs.si
Central Slovenian fly fishing website with info in english language and a forum section
www.flyfish-slovenia.com
Expert guiding service
www.lustrik.com
Romantic and one of the most picturesque towns in Slovenia, Radovna river is only 5km away
www.bled.si