Fly Fishing in Italy is a unique experience that combines world-class fishing with breathtaking alpine landscapes. On our guided fly fishing trips, you’ll explore the pristine rivers of the Italian Alps, casting your line in crystal-clear waters full of marble trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, Arctic char, and grayling.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: We offer access to exclusive, private river sections — only available through our guides.
Alps Fly Fish is the leading and most experienced fly fishing guide service in Italy. As the first company to specialize in fly fishing trips in the Italian Alps, we’ve been providing unforgettable experiences for over a decade. Our certified guides are members of the Italian Association of Professional Fishing Guides, accredited by the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA), and qualified by Fly Fishers International (FFI).
Our mission is to deliver the best fly fishing experience in Italy, guiding you to the right waters at the right time. Every trip is personalized and fully customized based on your travel dates, goals, and skill level. Whether you’re looking for wild brown trout, rainbow trout, or the iconic marble trout (marmorata), we’ll take you to the top fly fishing spots in the Italian Alps.
Exclusive Access to Private Waters: Enjoy access to the finest private fishing grounds in Italy.
Three Unique Operations: We guide in multiple locations across the Italian Alps, offering diverse fishing environments.
Local, Professional Guides: Our expert team speaks English and brings deep knowledge of local culture, nature, and fishing traditions.
✅ Fully Licensed & Insured: We are a legal travel agency with full liability and accident insurance.
️ Top Accommodation Recommendations: We help you find the best lodging to enhance your fishing experience.
Tailored for Anglers & Companions: We also design activities for non-fishing companions, making this a perfect trip for couples or families.
Italy offers more than world-class fly fishing. While you fish in stunning alpine streams, your companion can explore ancient Roman ruins, attend world-famous operas, enjoy gourmet Italian food and wine, or visit scenic national parks. We curate activities for non-anglers to ensure everyone has a memorable trip.
Our fly fishing trips in Italy focus on three locations in the heart of the Italian Alps:
We also offer guided fishing excursions departing from Verona, Brescia, and other cities in northern Italy. Our operations center is located within a 2-hour drive of international airports such as Milan Bergamo or Verona. We provide all-inclusive guided fly fishing trips starting from your hotel. Our fishing vacation packages include airport transfers, meals, accommodation, licenses and permits, fishing gear, guided fly fishing, and the option to provide alternative activities for companions. As local fishing guides, we want you to experience a unique fly fishing adventure in Italy! Feel free to inquire about alternative activities for companions.
Example itinerary:
Italy, with its diverse landscapes and ecosystems, offers some of the best fly fishing opportunities in Europe. However, the fishing season varies considerably by province, type of environment, and local water management authorities. Closure dates can extend until September, October, or even November, depending on the region. Below is a general guide to the fishing season in Italy, highlighting the start dates, which tend to be more standardized, and the best times to fish in the different areas of the country.
Valle d’Aosta
The season begins on the last Sunday of March, but there are exceptions. The Regional Consortium Reserves (Marmore, Evancon, Ayasse, Urtier) start on May 1st, while the tourist reserve of Lys (in Gressoney-La-Trinité) usually starts the season on the first Saturday of June. Alpine lakes begin their season in mid-June.
Piedmont, Lombardy, Liguria
The season starts on the last Sunday of February in these regions. These places are perfect for anglers who want to combine fly fishing with stunning mountain and coastal landscapes.
Sondrio
In the province of Sondrio, the season begins on the third Sunday of March, a special date for anglers looking to explore the rivers and alpine lakes of the region.
La Spezia (precious waters)
Similar to Sondrio, the season in La Spezia begins on the last Sunday of March, with the particularity that its waters are famous for the quality of the fish they hold.
Trentino Alto Adige
The season in this region starts on the first Sunday of February and can last until the first Sunday of March, with some sections starting in January. This makes Trentino an ideal destination for anglers looking to start the season earlier than in other parts of the country.
Veneto
The first Sunday of March marks the start of the fishing season in the Veneto region, known for its beautiful rivers and alpine lakes.
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Just like in Valle d’Aosta, the season in Friuli Venezia Giulia starts on the last Sunday of March, offering the chance to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of its rivers and alpine lakes.
Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise
The last Sunday of February (this year, February 23rd) marks the start of the season in these regions. However, some rivers like Fiume Nera, Borgo Cerreto, and Ferentillo begin on April 1st, while the «Tail Water Tevere» zone starts on May 1st. The combination of mountains and coastlines makes these regions an excellent destination for anglers.
Campania
The season starts on the last Sunday of February. However, the ZRS 1 Zone of the Sele River in the province of Salerno begins the season on the last Sunday of March, offering excellent access to freshwater rivers and lakes in this region.
Puglia
The season begins on January 15th, allowing anglers to take advantage of the winter conditions for trout fishing and other native species.
Basilicata
The season in Basilicata begins on the first Sunday of February, a great option for anglers looking to explore the rivers and lakes of this mountainous region.
Calabria
The season starts on the second Sunday of March. Calabria is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning landscapes, perfect for fishing solo or in groups.
Sicily
In Sicily, the fishing season begins on January 15th, while in the province of Messina, it starts on February 15th. In other provinces like Caltanissetta and Ragusa, the season begins on the last Sunday of February, while in Siracusa, it starts on March 1st.
Sardinia
Trout fishing in Sardinia starts on February 1st, while rainbow trout fishing begins on March 1st. However, Macrostigma trout fishing remains closed for the season.
The fishing season in Italy can vary significantly between different regions and types of water. Some rivers and lakes have specific regulations defining the exact dates of opening and closing, as well as the allowed species. It’s important to always check local regulations before planning your trip to ensure compliance and to make the most of the best fishing conditions.
Our guided fishing trip in the Dolomites Alps sets off from the town of Ponte Arche, located just 15 miles from Adamello Brenta Nature Park. From this strategic point, we have access to a multitude of rivers, streams and mountain lakes.
1. Alto Chiese
The Chiese River, and its tributaries, are born from the glaciers of the Alps. Its waters are crystal clear and the fish are medium-sized.
In Alto Chiese, you will find a fishing utopia surrounded by incredible alpine landscapes in the heart of a natural park. This area is also suitable for hiking and dry fly fishing. The rivers do not require great technical knowledge of fishing and most fishing spots are within a 30 minute-drive from our operations center.
The kind of fish you would expect to catch in this region are chars, brown trout, graylings and perhaps a surprise or two.
2. Alto Sarca
The Sarca River is known to be one of the spots where the World Fly FIshing Championship was held in 2019.
In this river, with its strong current, you can catch marble trout and large trout hybrids.
Sarca river is located at the bottom of the valley next to Trento and 30 minutes by car from our operations center. It is a medium-sized river, and it is not recommended for beginners.
There is plenty of opportunity for all techniques including; dry flies, nymphing and streamer fishing. You can expect to catch marble and brown trout, Arctic char and grayling.
3. Val di Sole
The Val di Sole is located in the Alpine valley in the Trentino-Alto Adigio region, about 1.5 hours from our hotel in Ponte Arche.
This valley has a plethora of whitewater rivers that offer a great opportunity for dry fly fishing. There are also some mountain lakes where you can sight fish for trout.
4. Val di Fiemme
The Avisio river in the Val di Fiemme offers fishermen the opportunity to catch the famous marmoratus trout and other large species of fish.
This area can be easily accessed by driving an hour and a half from the town of Ponte Arche.
5. Val di Non
Noce River, in Val di Non valley, is a slow moving stream that runs through a plain where hatches are large in number. Some common fishes you can find here are nice brown and marble trout. It is located less than 50 minutes away from the town of Ponte Arche.
To fish in Italy, you need to obtain a fishing license and, in some cases, daily permits, depending on the region and type of water. There are different types of licenses:
Sea Fishing License: Free, downloadable through the Ministry of Agricultural Policies.
Inland Water Fishing License: Varies by region, with options for annual licenses (Type B) or temporary licenses (Type C).
Type D License: For special cases, such as foreigners or daily fishing.
Additionally, certain individuals, like minors or seniors, may be exempt from needing a license.
For areas like trout-filled rivers, you will need a daily permit («permesso diafiume»), which varies by region and water type. These can be purchased online or locally.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: We offer access to exclusive private river sections available only through our guides, ensuring a more personalized and peaceful fishing experience.
With Alps Fly Fish, we handle everything for you: from obtaining licenses and permits to managing the best fishing spots. Everything is included in our fly fishing vacation packages in Italy, so you can enjoy your trip worry-free.
Ready to fish in Italy? Let Alps Fly Fish take care of the details while you focus on enjoying your fishing adventure.
We mostly use European flies for fly fishing in Italy, but we also do use other American patterns.
Our guides will stock you with all sorts of flies for fishing, we know the most successful flies for every river and time of the year.
In broad strokes, we would recommend the following:
Choosing the perfect fishing rod for exploring the diverse rivers of the Italian Alps can seem like a daunting task, given the variety of natural conditions. However, if we had to recommend one versatile and effective option for most situations, we would go with a fast-action, 9-foot rod designed for a #5 line. This setup offers the ideal balance of precision, reach, and ease of handling.
Generally speaking, heavy lines are not required in Italian rivers, as the fish tend to be medium or small in size. Therefore, delicate presentation and accurate casting should be your top priorities.
For smaller, technical mountain streams, a shorter rod—8’6” for a #3 line—is an excellent alternative. Its light weight and maneuverability make it easier to cast in tight spots and improve presentation in fast currents or areas with dense vegetation.
When it comes to alpine lake fishing, where greater casting distance and the ability to handle wind or larger flies (like streamers) are essential, #6 lines tend to perform better.
As for reels, automatic models are especially valued in Italy, particularly when fishing mountain streams, as they allow for quick and efficient line retrieval. In this context, the Franco Vivarelli reels—of Italian origin—are a popular choice among both local anglers and visitors due to their reliability and ease of use.
In summary, having the right gear for each environment will make a big difference in your fishing experience across the Italian Alps. Pair a quality rod with the proper reel, and you’ll be ready to enjoy these unique waters with both efficiency and pleasure.
Hotel Villa Madruzzo: elegant, historic, near Trento. Offers luxury, national and Trentino cuisine.
La Fiorida Agriturismo Valtellina offers a unique blend of nature and luxury with refined cuisine, a large wellness center, and spacious rooms. It’s a top retreat in Valtellina with two restaurants, one boasting a Michelin star, and farm animal interaction.
The Hotel Albergo Italia in Varallo, once a convent, offers simple rooms with free Wi-Fi in the town center. It boasts a renowned restaurant, a 19th-century grand salon for events, and a charming rear garden for relaxation and gatherings.
