Trip
Facts & Pricing
8 Days/ 7 Nights
Non fisherman $2,775 (10-18
participants) based on 1 USD
= 0.74 EUR
Fly fisherman $3479 (10-18
participants) based on 1 USD
= 0.74 EUR
$495 Single supplement
Trip dates: October
2010
Not included: Trip
insurance, international airfare,
items not mentioned in the
itinerary, tips and fishing
permits (400 Euro).
Not
Included: Roundtrip
air, trip insurance, Slovene
fishing permits (+400 Euro),
gratuities for river guides
and any items not listed in
your itinerary.
Note
to non fly fishing spouses:
Non-fishing spouses and guests
will have alternative activities
arranged by the guide, Maria
Cannavo
Contact
Tony for more information:
(610)678-1899 or Email
Autumn
Fly Fishing in Slovenia
Autumn (September,
October, November) is the
time when all the Salmonid
family starts to feed more
intensively, preparing for
long winters when there will
be few, if any, insects hatching.
The scenery changes dramatically,
with the leaves turning from
green to their brilliant red,
gold and brown Autumn colors.
The days become shorter with
usually minimal evening hatches
as there are in the summer,
but when the sun comes out,
which it often does, you will
catch fish on dry flies during
the daytime. Fishing is just
as productive with nymphs
and streamers during this
period, generally for larger
trout!
Meet
Your Host, Tony Gehman - TCO
President
Tony was and will
always be mesmerized by water.
From an early age he passed
many days walking in creeks,
turning rocks and enjoying
the energy that only running
water can offer. Like the
rest of the TCO family, Trout
was the primary target, but
after exploring the Bahamas,
Florida Keys and other tropical
destinations, Bonefish, Tarpon
& Permit quickly became
the main focus. Tony can be
found in just about any of
the stores as he travels to
each location weekly to oversee
the operations, although his
main focus is on the internet
business within TCO. Tony
started this company in 1990
with a 750 square foot storefront
and has now grown to 5 retail
locations and over 25 different
fly fishing related websites.
Tony will never lose the passion
for fly fishing or the anticipation
that lies in the next cool
location to explore!
About Your Guide for
the Non-Fisherman, Mary Cannavo
Traveling has always
been a part of Mary’s
life. She is a classic Sagittarian.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Psychology and Education
from Pennsylvania State University
has taught in a private school
in Denver, Colorado, and completed
a lengthy 18 year career in
the financial industry in
Seattle, Washington. An amorous
feeling for all things Italian
led her to studies in the
Italian language, art, history,
and Italian literature and
to make Sicily her new home.
She, like most Italians, has
an innate, gregarious passion
for diverse cultures. Mary
states quite passionately,
“I have the love for
Italy in my heart and some
of its history in my blood.”
AND Mary is Tony's cousin!
About
Your Fly Fishing Guide Leader,
Rok Lustrik
Founder of Lustrik
Fishing Adventures, Rok has
been a professional guide
in Slovenia and other parts
of Europe. He has also been
an enthusiastic fly fisherman
and fly tier for over 15 years.
A few years ago Rok combined
his love of fishing with tourist
guiding to create Lustrik
Fishing Agency and Guiding
Services. He feels truly privileged
to have been born and live
in Slovenia, a country that
offers such a wide variety
of fishing options: from gin-clear
alpine rivers to mysterious
chalk streams. Rok loves them
all: from morning hatch to
nymphing during the day and
anticipating the evening hatch.
About
Slovene Rivers…
Slovenia
is a very small but very diverse
country, which offers an incredible
variety of rivers, from crystal-clear
alpine and freestone rivers
to mysterious natural chalk
streams. It is hard to pick
a favorite type of river,
since they are all so different.
Each has its own characteristics
and fish species, creating
the need to constantly adjust
your fly fishing techniques
- and perfecting all the aspects
of fishing from casting to
fly selection and presentation.
Slovene
Fish Species
Marble
trout is the only
indigenous species of trout
in the Adriatic (Western)
part of the river system in
Slovenia. This Soca watershed,
which flows into the Adriatic,
consists of the river Soca
and its tributaries Rižana
and Reka. Marble trout originally
evolved from the brown trout.
Its coloring and marbled pattern
changes from river system
to river system, so it is
possible to find genetically
pure marble trout with red
dots or splotches.
Brown
trout - Salmo trutta fario
Indigenous to Slovenia, with
the exception of the Adriatic
water system. A lot of different
types and genetic variations
can be found, with coloring
depending on the river or
even sections of the same
river - varying with water
color or texture of the river
bed.
Danube
salmon - Hucho hucho
This is a landlocked salmon,
found in the Sava river and
its tributaries. It is a close
relative of the Mongolian
taimen. Fishing for it is
only permitted in winter time
(November - February). The
smaller fish feed on flies
and other aquatic life, but
with age their diet changes
to be almost exclusively other
fish, with the occasional
small rodent.
Grayling
- Thymallus thymallus
In Slovenia, two types of
Grayling can be found: the
Adriatic fish (from the River
Soca with its tributaries)
and the Sava river type. It
is interesting to note that
although genetically they
differ more than marble and
brown trout, they are considered
a single species (Thymallus
thymallus). The observable
difference is in color: Sava
graylings have black spots
on the head, with an orange
or reddish tail, while the
Soca grayling are more grey-yellow
in color,
lacking any black spots behind
the head.
Brook
trout - Salvelinus fontinalis
Brook trout is not indigenous,
it was introduced and, similar
to rainbow trout, it does
spawn in our rivers, primarily
in the Radovna river. It can
cross-bred with brown trout,
giving rise to offspring called
tiger trout. These are rare
and not fertile.
Rainbow
trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss
Not indigenous to Slovenia
or to Europe, the rainbow
trout originated in North
America. It was introduced
to our rivers in the past
to make fishing more fun,
since they are great fighters.
Although at first they did
not spawn, they have adapted
very quickly, and now wild
rainbow trout can be found
in just about every river
in Slovenia.
Let
the Adventure begin!
Day
0: Depart the USA
for Ljubljana Slovenia
Day
1: Arrive in Ljubljana,
Slovenia
In the early evening, meet
your guide and host for an
orientation and a “Welcome
to Slovenia” traditional
dinner. Sleep in Ljubljana
Day
2: Villages, castles
and stunning mountain vistas
This morning we’ll explore
Ljubljana, Slovenia’s
quaint capital. You’ll
have a guided visit through
Ljubljana’s charming
lanes before being set free
to browse through the many
boutiques and canal-lined
cobblestone streets. Sleep
in Ljubljana
Day
2: Fly Fishing the
Sava River
Today we move to Bled to fish
the Sava river. The Sava is
a beautiful alpine river which
flows from Lake Bohinj. Brown
and Rainbow Trout as well
as Gravling and the Danubian
Salmon live in these waters
and the pebble and gravel
bottom is rich in nutrients.
The fish can be both selective
and cautious providing a challenge
to the true fly fisherman.
The Sava river is also known
for its breath-taking scenery.
Day
3: Alpine Lakes and
Towering Mountains
This morning we’ll depart
for Lake Bled. Breathe the
sub-Alpine air and luxuriate
in the gorgeous surroundings!
You’re at the foot of
the towering Julian Alps.
Lake Bled offers us stunning
scenery and a perfect location
to explore the mountains,
lakes and meadows of this
magnificent region.
Today’s
agenda includes an easy two
mile walk to stunning Vintgar
Gorge. There you’ll
walk on a flat trail and suspended
bridges above a rushing river
and powerful cascading waterfalls.
Then we are off to the little
island on Lake Bled. The small
church on the island dates
back to the 10th century,
but the present building was
built in the 17th century.
According to local tradition,
a husband who can carry his
newly married bride the 99
steps up from the dock into
the church will be ensured
a happy marriage, and ringing
the bell in the church will
make your dreams come true.
The only way to reach the
island is by a special boat
called “Pletna.”
Sleep in Ljubljana
Day 3: Fly
Fishing the Idrijca River
'The crystal-clear Idrijca
River with its numerous tributaries
offers an ideal natural habitat
for fish, which is why the
Idrija and Tolmin region boasts
a long, rich fishing tradition.
The oldest records on fishing
in these parts appeared in
medieval land registers around
1300, and the first written
fishing rules were laid down
in the Mining Rules of the
Idrija Mercury Mine as early
as in 1580. Its entire 11
miles length is opened to
fish. All the species of fish
found in the Tolmin fishing
sector can be found here which
include species of trout and
grayling. It is famous the
world over for its huge marble
trout which can be found in
deeper pools. It just might
happen that a huge shadow
will pass by while you are
fishing (that would be the
gigantic marble trout). Fishing
in Idrija’s waters offers
visitors a genuine experience
in unspoiled natural surroundings.
Day
4: Istria: Roman
Arena and a Venetian Seaside
Town
This morning we are off to
explore “Istria,”
a unique region which encompasses
the northern coastal region
of both Croatia and Slovenia.
Throughout the ages, Istria
has either belonged to or
been under the influence of
Italy. Many residents here
still speak a form of old
Italian, while Venetian architecture
and Roman ruins dot the Istrian
coastline. Today you’ll
be visiting two of Istria’s
most impressive sites: Pula,
with its well-preserved Roman
arena and the colorful Venetian
seaside town of Rovinj. Sleep
in Ljubljana
Rovinj pictured above
Day
4: Fly Fishing the
Radovna River
The Radovna is a rather small
river flowing through the
picturesque Krma valley which
leads to the the impressive
Vintgar gorge. In the upper
reaches large brown trout
are to be found and lower
down very large rainbows test
the skills of visiting anglers.
Day
5: Depart for the
Soca River Valley
This morning we set out for
the world-renowned Soca River
Valley. Besides being home
to some of the best fly fishing
on the planet, you’ll
also find incredible scenery
and great family-run wine
estates. While the men go
fishing, the ladies will enjoy
some wonderful hand-crafted
wines. Sleep in the Soca River
Valley
Day
5: Fly Fishing on
the Soca River:
Today we fish the Soca River
for the famous Marble Trout.
The Soca has been called “the
jewel of Slovenian Rivers”
for its natural beauty and
abundance of fish. After an
attempted dam construction
project, the river is now
protected by law as a national
symbol. The Marble Trout here
can grow to enormous sizes.
The Soca river overflows its
banks occasionally in June
and July because of melting
snow and the best period for
fishing usually occurs in
late August and September.
We break for lunch and some
free time. Returning back
to the river after 6pm, we
can fish until dark as evening
is the best opportunity to
catch a big Marble Trout.
Day
6: South to Historic
Venice via a Wine Tasting
Buon giorno! En route to Venice
this morning we visit a family
run Slovene wine producer
(it’s 6pm somewhere
in the world) to sample some
of Slovenia’s finer
vintages. Then, we are off
to Venice!
Bursting with
baroque cathedrals, islands,
piazzas and outdoor markets,
Venice is the perfect place
for you to end your journey
through Europe. Home to Casa
Nova, Vivaldi and Marco Polo,
Venice was the single most
powerful city state in 13th
Century Europe. With an economy
the size of France, it is
no wonder Shakespeare located
his merchants in Venice.
Since we plan
on arriving in Venice in the
early afternoon there will
be time to do a bit of exploring
of this amazing city before
we dine on Venetian specialties.
Sleep in Venice.
Day
7: Romantic Venice
This morning we explore infinite
alleyways, the Rialto market
& the Piazza San Marco
with your local guide. This
afternoon you are free to
take in as many of the 125
islands of Venice as you can.
Glass lovers will want to
hop a ferry to nearby Murano.
Other options include the
Doge’s Palace, an exploration
of the Basilica San Marco
or an ascent of the towering
Campanile (bell tower) for
a bird’s eye view of
the famous piazza San Marco.
Sleep in Venice
Day
8: Return to the
USA
Tour officially ends this
morning after breakfast.
For those
with a bit of extra time you’ll
want to spend at least one
additional night in Venice
before heading home. Art lovers
won’t want to miss out
on the the Accademia museum,
featuring famous works of
Titian and Tintoretto. Or
visit the Peggy Guggenheim
museum, just around the corner.
Some may choose to simply
spend the afternoon soaking
up the rich ambiance of Europe’s
most romantic city. Whichever
choice you make, we wish you
a buon viaggio!
THINGS YOU
SHOULD KNOW…
Reservations
and Deposits: Early
reservations are essential
to guarantee space on the
date you wish to travel. A
per person deposit of $500
is needed to confirm your
space. We prefer payment to
be made by check, but we also
accept Visa, MasterCard or
American Express. However,
you can make your secure credit
card deposit online, by phone
or by mail. For 2009 journeys,
deposits are refundable for
60 days from the processing
date or until 90 days prior
to departure, whichever comes
first. A $35 dollar per person
processing fee will be applied
to all cancellations, regardless
of when they were made. Checks
should be mailed to: Earthbound
Expeditions P.O. Box 11305,
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110,
USA. Please call our savvy
travel staff at 800-723-8454
with any question.
Pricing:
In the event that
there are fewer then the minimum
participants listed in your
itinerary, you will be offered
a small group comfort charge
to ensure that the journey
departs as scheduled. Former
guests have greatly appreciated
the benefits of traveling
with a smaller group. Earthbound
staff or hosts are not included
in the number of tour participants.
Please refer to your detailed
itinerary for pricing information
specific to your journey.
Currency
Fluctuations: The
exchange rate in which your
trip was based is listed on
your itinerary under "Trip
Facts" and was obtained
through www.xe.com. Although
no changes in the price of
your trip are expected, Earthbound
reserves the right to add
a small supplement or offer
you a refund due to unexpected
currency fluctuations of plus
or minus 5%. Seventy five
days prior to departure rates
will be reviewed and if necessary
updated. Fluctuations greater
then 5% will be posted in
your final balance letter.
Example. If the dollar falls
against the Euro 7% then a
2% surcharge will be added.
In this case, Earthbound will
absorb the initial 5% loss
in the dollar. If the dollar
gains against the Euro 7%
then a 2% refund will be offered.
NOTE: This policy pertains
to euro zone countries (Russia,
Western and Eastern Europe
only).
