Slovenia - Bled - Sava Bohinjka

Bled is located right after the Austrian border, only 2h30 from Salzburg.
The town is known for the glacial Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is the iconic Bled Castle. The town is also known in Slovenia for its vanilla-and-cream pastry called kremna rezina ("cream slice") or kremšnita (from German Cremeschnitte). A small island in the middle of the lake is home to the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church; visitors frequently ring its bell for good luck.
Due to its mild climate, Bled has been visited by aristocratic guests from all across the world. Today it is an important convention centre and tourist resort, offering a wide range of sport activities (golf, fishing, horseback-riding) and is a starting point for mountain treks and hikes especially within the nearby Triglav National Park.

But what does bring us there is Flyfishing. And particularly the Sava Bohinjka river. It's a beautiful alpine river which pours out of the Lake Bohinj, flowing through a beautifull valley before joining the Sava Dolinka near the small town of Radovljica. Browns, Graylings, Rainbows, Danubian Salmons (Huchen- Hucho hucho) all thrive in the river. The pebble and gravel bottom is rich in all types of insect food. The level of the Sava Bohinjka is regulated by Lake Bohinj and is usually very constant. The fish can be both selective and cautious providing a real challenge. And the scenery is breathtaking.
 

 

Bled, the lake and the Castle. Unmissable for romantic people and a quickly familiar sight after a few roundrips between Bohinska Bela and Bled.

  

 

This wonderfull sight diserved a better light than what we had that day.

 

   
  You might be there for fishing, the local delicatesses need all your attention too.  

 

 

A dozen trouts between 12 and 20 inches are swimming in the pool in front of you. But they're not so easily spotted if not betrayed by their movements.

  

 

   
 

Such a gin clear water doesn't help a trout pulled out of its hide in the shadow.

  

 

 

 

Big grayling are hiding in the deep pools during the day: Sightfishing not for the faint hearted.

  

 

   
 

During the evening rise, Thymallus comes up and gorges himself with emerging caddis and Ephemeropteras.

  

 

  

 

A nice stocked rainbow, on a dry during the evening rise.

  

 

 

 

Pure wild little beauties swim among the stocked ones. You can chose your target according to your taste.

  

 

   
 

The Sava Bohinjka, on the Institute stretch.

  

 

 

Beautifully colored fishes, fighting and educated opponents.

  

 

  

Gregor Ferretti, an Italian flyfishing friend, as resillient without waders as talented with a flyrod in his hands.

  

Postal card views for a delightfull fishing.

 

 

  

 

  

Not a trophee, but catching such fishes in the middle of a hot july day, right under the sun, is decently cool.

 

 

Sightfishing paradise.

  

 

  

The Vintgar Gorge ...

  

... and the trail dating from 1893, along the Radovna river.

 

 

   
 

Ljubljana is wonderfull under the sun and certainly deserves a touristic pause.

  

 

  

The historic center is a perfect spot for wandering around.

    

 

 


Emile Pintar is a dedicated host as well as an extremely competent guide. What else ?		  
    Bohinska Bela fishing Club owns its own lodge , so nice that it would perfectly fit along the sophisticated river Test.

 


Emile's house is neat and welcoming, a true jewel !


The two appartments available for rental are located on the rear of the house, facing the countryside and the Sava Bohinjka valley.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We'll be back soon !

2012 expedition