Emerging post-war sport fishery on the upper tributaries of the Sava River basin. Challenging spring creek environments with large populations of trophy-size grayling, native brown trout, introduced rainbows, and danube salmon (taimen). Rich cultural immersion into rural Bosnia. Comfortable modern accommodations in country lodge. Incredible food and drink. Groups to five. Best season April through June. 5-wt rods with floating lines. Multi-lingual guide/host.
Pliva River:
The Pliva River originates in the village of Pljeva, 6 km upstream from Šipovo. The 5 km stretch from the spring to the center of Šipovo offers some of the most beautiful fly fishing in Bosnia. The river is rich with native grayling that can reach up to 60 cm in length. These grayling can often elude even the most experienced of anglers, although schools of the fish are clearly visible. This is attributed to the Pliva’s clear water that makes a perfect approach a necessity and excellent bug life that allow the fish to grow very strong. Very large brown trout can also be found on this incredible river.
Una River:
The Una River is a mountain river with bountiful waterfalls, cascades, and rapids. Located in the western part of Bosnia, what really makes the Una special is that all the fish are native and completely wild. The fishery is rich with beautiful brown trout and grayling that can be caught on dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.
Unac River:
The Unac River could be considered a perfect mountain river, in that its flow rate and water capacity, as well as its fish population, are excellent. It flows into the Una River at Martin Brod, and the best fishing can be found upstream from the mouth of the Unac River within a special fishing area. The Unac is home to very large rainbow and brown trout. Many of these fish weigh in between 2 and 6 kg, although some fish caught can weigh up to 10 kg. Grayling can also be caught in the Unac. The Unac is best fished with a dry fly, but nymphs and streamers can also be very successful. Fish will be active all day, but the Unac is especially famous for the very high number of fish caught in the early evening hours.
Ribnik River:
The Ribnik River begins in the small town of Gornji Ribnik and is home to grayling and brown trout. The Ribnik is especially friendly to fly fishing because it is entirely zoned either fly fishing only or catch and release only. It is also shallow and anglers can easily wade across most parts of the river. The Ribnik is especially rich in wild grayling, which make up about 75% of its fish population. Both the grayling and brown trout can be caught all day on a dry fly. An experienced angler can easily see over 50 fish on the end of his or her line in a day. The Ribnik is also an excellent place for a new angler to learn how to fly fish.
Sanica River:
The Sanica River, located in northwestern Bosnia, offers excellent dry fly fishing for large grayling and some brown trout. Grayling make up most of the Sanica’s fish population, and most of the fish are over the 45cm mark, occasionally exceeding 60cm. Brown trout can also be caught here. Anglers can fish both dry flies and nymphs on the Sanica, but fish are active all day on dries.
Krusnica River:
Another example of Bosnia’s perfect mountain rivers, with emerald green drinkable water, the Krusnica River is not to be missed on any anglers trip to Bosnia. At over 100 meters deep, the Krusnica’s spring is an incredible sight. From the spring the river flows 6.5 km until its junction with the Una River. Offering over 3 km of fly fishing, the Una is rich with grayling and brown trout that can be caught on dry flies or nymphs, but streamers are prohibited. Many grayling caught exceed 40 cm, and brown trout can be expected to weigh in at up to 5 kg. The Krusnica has one of the longest fishing seasons in Bosnia, lasting from May to November.
Neretva River:
The Nerveta River is located in southwestern Bosnia and is a tributary to the Adriatic Sea. At 230 km long, the Neretva is one of the most beautiful fly fishing valleys in the world. The river is home to an endemic species of trout, the soft mouth trout(Salmo obtusirostris), as well as rich populations of grayling, brown trout, and marble trout. The 4 km long fly fishing area is located in Glavaticevo and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Fish here can be caught very successfully on dries, nymphs, and streamers.
Every meal in Bosnia is always heavily meat-ladened.
Think delicious, rib sticking, and far more than you could ever possibly eat. Every meal you are served in Bosnia is a multi-course affair. From egg pastries, cheese, cured ham, sausages, and strong Turkish-style coffee for breakfast, to literally platters of pork and veal chops preceded by the inevitable first course bowl of hearty soup for lunch, to meat and potato staples, incredible fresh breads and bottles of Nektar Pivo (Bosnian beer) for dinner, spectacularly rich desserts and endless shots of slivovitz (homemade brandy) - you will not lose weight on this trip. But you will sleep like a babe at night and be fully fueled throughout the day to handle the not insignificant challenges of Bosnian fly fishing.
Unexploded mines are still a potential issue in southern Bosnia.
The first question posed by most anglers considering a fishing adventure to Bosnia is still, "Is it safe?" Lingering reports of live land mines, sporadic ethnic violence, and a general naivete over the final resolution of Bosnia's violent involvement in the Balkan conflict of the '90s has hindered the country's sincere efforts to establish a viable incoming tourism sector. We never felt at risk in anyway during our exploratory trip to Bosnia, and although we received assurances everywhere we traveled in the northern Sava River tributary basin that land mines were not a danger there, several sources acknowledged that getting too far off of main roads in the southern part of the country could pose a risk. Anglers venturing south to fish the Neretva River should heed that warning and be vigilant for land mine signs in less traveled areas.
