The joy of fly fishing in Italy

Until I came upon Kenneth R. Rosen's article, the Joy of Casting in Italian Waters, I'd never associated the pleasure of fly fishing with Italy. It turns out that fly fishing is indeed a passion throughout Italy and nowhere more-so than the Alto Adige area in the Veneto region in northern Italy.

Why fly fishing in Italy?

Kenneth R. Rosen, an award-winning American journalist living in northern Italy, says the joys of fly fishing in Italy are many. Thanks to the fishing permit system and controlled waters fish are abundant and the waters in northern Italy are a trout heaven with a different kind of trout in season almost the entire year long.
As you fish in Italy you can also enjoy the pleasure of viewing Roman ruins near many of the preferred fishing spots. The whole experience becomes an Italy vacation for the whole family and at the same time an outstanding fishing experience for family members who are passionate about fly fishing.

Permits and fly fishing control in Italy

Kenneth says that Italy's regulations both nationally and on a local basis make “for good fishing and protected river ecosystem.” You can fish on your own in Italy and the rules are clear and well-defined as to when and where you can fish. You might be allowed to fish in one spot on the river but not a mere 100 m further along.

The importance of local fly fishing guides in Italy

Local guides are not inexpensive – sometimes upwards of several hundred dollars per person per day – but Kenneth feels they are worth every penny. Guides help you with permits, equipment and they also know exactly where the very best (and legal) fishing spots are, quite frequently spots you would never find on your own.

A few fly fishing guides in the Veneto region Kenneth has used

Matteo de Falco
Riccardo Nalin
Erik Sanders, owner of Fly Fish Italia - Kenneth refers to him as an “American who acts as a liaison for foreigners seeking to discover Italian fly fishing”.

Fly fishing lodges and companies in Italy

Orvis organizes lodges and guides in Italy: Embark on an unforgettable fly-fishing adventure in Italy with Orvis-Endorsed outfitter Italy On The Fly. Italy represents a real fly-fishing heaven. The native ancestral marble trout, the powerful and clever Mediterranean brown, the avid brookie, and the acrobatic stream-bred rainbows call these Italian waters home.
Italy is the best place to combine an unforgettable fly-fishing adventure with the journey of a lifetime that brings together premium food and wine, art, museums, and history with relaxation, spa and wellness, shopping, and more.

Tuscany offers a wide variety of waterways for fly fishing

Fly Fishing Guide Italy chooses typical charming hotels, along with vineyards and restaurants to enjoy delicious Tuscan wines and cuisine.

Lazio: Rieti and Rome

Santa Susanna Chalck Stream - Rivodutri (Rieti-Lazio) - that feeds into the Velino River. The river flows less one hour by car far from Rome.

You can book nationwide Italian fly fishing experiences through Italy on the Fly and Fly Fish Italia.
Another resource: Fishing in Italy: Everything you need to know.

The history of fly fishing and tying in Italy

It turns out that fly fishing and fly tying dates back to Roman times.
The first recorded use of an artificial fly is credited to the Roman Claudius Aelianus near the end of the 2nd century. In his book Fishing from the Earliest Times William Radcliff gives the credit to Marcus Valerius Martialis, born two hundred years before Aelianus.

2022 is the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 

In 2017 the 72nd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). Here are the details.

When the passion for fly tying turns criminal

A must read is The Feather Thief about a spectacular feather heist.

This National Geographic article summarizes the details of the feather heist: How an Obsession With Rare Bird Feathers Turned Criminal.
In a bizarre heist, a young musician broke into the British Natural History Museum at Tring to steal exotic birds.
“This is a very unusual crime,” Detective Inspector Fraser Wylie of the Hertfordshire Constabulary, in southern England, said at the time.
"It happened one night in November 2009, when Edwin Rist, a 20-year-old American, broke into the British Natural History Museum at Tring, one of the world’s greatest repositories of exotic birds. He stuffed a suitcase with nearly 300 of the rarest, most dazzling species—the magnificent riflebird, the resplendent quetzal, the superb bird of paradise, among others—and vanished."

Fly tying starter kit

If you're interested in fly fishing and you'd like a fly tying starter kit check this one out.

Trout cookbook

Fly fishing is often about catching trout and cooking them up to perfection. This cookbook of 60 recipes has everything from a trout bisque to smoked trout tartlets, and stuffed trout with tarragon sauce.

Try this recipe

This pan seared fish recipe with cherry tomatoes and chickpeas is delicious made with fresh trout.

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