Overview
Often referred to as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, Slovenia is full of surprises. Whether its world-class hiking, kayaking, rafting, caving, mountain biking and fly fishing; its Michelin-starred restaurants and stunning winemaking that rivals its neighbors in Italy, Germany, and France; its historic castles, cosmopolitan cities, and seaside resorts; or its breathtaking Julian Alps, Slovenia has something to offer everyone.
Krka River Lodge, in Slovenia’s Dolenjska region, home to hot springs, vineyards, and the river Krka, is an ideal home base. Thanks to its central location, guests staying at the lodge can explore all that Slovenia has to offer.
The Fishing
For anglers, Slovenia holds a special allure. In addition to offering excellent fishing for native brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling, pike and more, Slovenia is one of the only countries on the planet where anglers can catch both marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) and the enormous huchen (Hucho hucho) — a close relative of the massive Siberian taimen.. For this reason alone, Slovenia calls to anglers from across the globe.
In the spring and early summer, anglers chase brown trout, rainbow trout, and marble trout. Classic alpine streams such as the famed Soča in the West, the chalk stream-like Krka in the nation’s interior, spring creeks like the Unica in Slovenia’s Karst region, and others like the Lepena, Idrijca, Sava Bohijnka, and Radovna offer fly fishers a rich, diverse angling experience.
In the autumn, adventurous fly fishers can pursue pre-spawn brown trout, trophy pike, and the elusive huchen. October marks a time when anglers can chase trout, pike, and huchen during the same visit, as Slovenia’s hillside pop with color and brisk autumn days can offer near-perfect fishing weather. Come November, it’s all hucho hucho, when die-hard anglers chase the behemoths of the Danube system in sometimes challenging conditions.
Other Activities
Slovenia’s other offerings are just as rich and diverse as its angling opportunities — and just as accessible. In fact, Slovenia has so much to offer that it may be one of the world’s ideal destinations for anglers and non-anglers traveling together, whether couples or groups of friends. Popular tourist attractions like Lake Bled, the Postojna and other world-famous cave systems, the country’s cosmopolitan capital of Ljubljana, castles and historic sites, award-winning wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants, and more offer a seemingly endless list of non-angling activities.
Krka River Lodge specializes in planning and providing multi-faceted itineraries that offer all guests the best of Slovenia.
Accomodations
LODGING: The 1840s farmhouse is perched directly on the shores of the Krka River where it flows through charming, rural Krka village. In the nearly two centuries since it was constructed, the lodge has had a rich history. After its early days as one of the first family homes in the village, the lodge was adopted by the Austrian army as a military jail during the first World War. During WWII, the building served as an outpost headquarters for occupying Italian forces. For more than the last half century, the since-expanded farmhouse has operated as a both a guesthouse and restaurant and today is home to Krka River Lodge. Warm, bright, and inviting, the lodge’s riverside terrace, dining room, bar, and 10 guest rooms welcomes anglers and adventurers alike.
FOOD/DRINK: Each day at Krka River Lodge starts with an expansive breakfast spread typical of European guest houses including fruits, yogurt, granolas, freshly baked breads, cured meats, cheeses, eggs, and more. Lunches are served either streamside or back at the lodge depending on the location of the day’s activities. For dinner, enjoy chef-prepared Slovenian classics ranging from hearty meat dishes and pastas to delicious seafood and salads.
CONNECTIVITY/WIFI: The lodge offers dependable, high-speed WiFi internet and most guests also have strong cellular service while at the lodge
Sample Itinerary
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After a short ride through the Slovenia countryside, you'll arrive to the lodge. Settle into your room, enjoy a drink on the lodge's terrace that overlooks the Krka River, or take a stroll through Krka village. Tonight, you'll enjoy the first of many Slovenian feasts prepared by the lodge's chef, each of which will be paired with beautiful Slovenian wines. Join the other guests for an after dinner drink in the lodge's cellar bar and then it's time to rest up for your first day on the water in Slovenia.
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The Krka is the lodge's home water. It won't take you long to see why, given that the fertile and trout-filled Krka flows just footfalls from the lodge's terrace. As it meanders through the meadows, lush forests, and villages of the Dolenjska region, the Krka is evocative of classic english chalk streams. Rich with medium-sized trout and boasting a good number of trophy fish, the Krka is an incredibly productive river known for its prolific evening hatches.
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Stunning Lake Bled, Predjama Castle (which was built into a cave in the side of a mountain and has a bewildering and dark history), and the awe-inspiring Postojna Cave system are three of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Slovenia — and you’ll visit them all in one day. Don’t let the touristy nature of these destinations scare you off, crowds are rarely excessive and none should be missed by those visiting Slovenia.
Prefer to be on the water? No problem. Trout-focused anglers can skip the tour and head straight to the Radovna to chase browns and large rainbow trout.
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The Unica is one of the most beautiful limestone (chalk) streams in continental Europe. Parts of the river are deep and full of mystery, while on other stretches the river flows briskly over gravel and pebbles, offering the angler easy access and comfortable wading. The Unica is famous for its prolific insect life. Massive hatches of mayflies begin in earnest at the end of May and continue throughout the summer. Sedges and stoneflies also hatch in very large numbers. Prior to the introduction of European grayling, the Unica was known throughout Europe for its oversized brown trout. Today, grayling predominate in the river, but very large brown trout are still commonly caught by anglers.
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Slovenia’s capital may be home to fewer than 300,000 people, but diminutive Ljubljana is remarkably cosmopolitan and rich with history. Spend the day exploring the riverside shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, churches and historic sites that dot the landscape of this extremely walkable city. Enjoy dinner in town at one of Ljubljana’s celebrated restaurants before heading back to the lodge.
Not much for city life? Those looking to maximize their time on the water will head to Idrijca River to chase marble trout, browns, rainbows and grayling.
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Unquestionably the most famous river in Slovenia, the often gorge-lined Soča (pronounced “so-cha”) River’s impossibly turquoise waters, stark white riverbed, and native marble trout lure anglers as well as rafters, kayakers, and more from all over the world. Though marble trout are the main attraction on the Soča, the river also holds grayling and large rainbow trout. The river’s gin-clear waters and wary fish demand a stealthy approach and careful presentations by anglers hoping to land a marble trout.
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For anglers looking to expand their horizons beyond trout, Slovenia offers excellent fishing for other species. Plentiful populations of large pike are present throughout much of the country. Anglers can pursue pike throughout the year in both rivers and lakes, tempting the voracious predators with huge, gaudy flies.
If you're visiting during autumn or winter, you can chase the true king of Slovenian waters — the elusive huchen.
There are many fish that anglers colloquially refer to as “the fish of 1,000 casts.” For North American anglers, those monikers are most commonly applied to either steelhead or musky — the pursuit of which require dogged determination and, often, the willingness to tolerate inhospitable conditions. For European anglers, however, the undisputed “fish of 1,000” casts is the enormous huchen (hucho hucho), also known as the Danube salmon or winter Taimen. A close relative of the world’s largest trout, the Mongolian taimen, huchen can grow to 1.5m (almost 60 inches) in length and weigh up to 40 kg (almost 90 pounds), making many huchen catches a true fish of a lifetime.
Included
- Ground transportation Transfers from Ljubljana to the lodge
- Lodging Riverside lodging at Krka River Lodge and other outposts
- Private rooms Private lodging for single travelers or couples
- Meals Delicious, chef-prepared Slovenian classics and more
- Beverages Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
- Guided fishing Daily guided walk-and-wade and float fishing
- Guided activities Tours and other guided activities
- Equipment All gear and flies
- Licenses Fishing licenses and permits
Getting There
Guests traveling to Krka River Lodge typically fly into Ljubljana International Airport (LJU) where they are greeted by representatives from the lodge for the short 35-40 minute drive to Krka village. Travelers may also fly to Zagreb, Croatia (ZAG) or Venice, Italy (VCE).
The fishing was overall very good. Especially satisfying was the number of different rivers, as well as different beats on the same river to fish. Fishing right from the lodge was special and the day on the Soca was successful despite rain clouded water clarity. The guides were all very professional and the best testament to their skill was the success of several anglers in our group who had limited experience in fly fishing.
The food was a home run. Breakfasts were spectacular with variety and quality. Lunches were the best I have had at any lodge. Some fishing days we had lunch at the lodge and some fishing days we had lunch at local eateries in the small villages nearby. The evening meals were outstanding, many with multiple meat selections.
I can't say enough about the attention the lodge paid to our group. We provided advanced input for a combination of fishing and touring Slovenia and our expectations were exceeded each day.
This lodge is special. Unlike any lodge I have been to, I felt completely immersed in Slovenian culture. Every activity, even transits/lunches/dinners on fishing days afforded activities to enjoy Slovenia. Of all the lodges I have been to, this one is most satisfying for non-fishing, casual fishing or dedicated fishing activities. Their ability to integrate non-fishing guests with fishing guests make it ideal for couples looking to share a get away for fishing and non-fishing partners.