Yes, one day of fly fishing fits into a holiday in Montenegro, and you do not need to have held a fly rod before. I guide single days on the rivers and lakes of the north. I take beginners, and a child can come and try. I bring the permits and lunch. If you stay in a town by the waters, I drive you on the fishing day; pickup from further away, the coast included, is by arrangement. From the coast, the Tara is about two hours’ drive by my reckoning. This article says who the day is for, how you get to the water, which water, what to bring, what it costs and how to ask for it.

Who the day is for

People on holiday who want one day on a mountain river. Anglers who fish at home and want to see what Montenegro has. Beginners who have never cast a fly. A family where one person fishes and a child wants to try. I take up to four anglers in a day.

I have fished competitions for more than ten years, and I guide you myself. For a beginner that means I teach you on the day; how that day is built, casting first or euro nymphing, is on your first day of fly fishing. For an angler, it means I know where, how and when.

Bringing a child

A child can come and try. Come along with your child. Tell me how old your child is and what you have in mind, and I will tell you honestly whether the day suits them.

From the coast or the mountains: getting to the water

Transport on the fishing day is in the price when you are staying in a town by the waters I guide: I collect you there and drive you to the water and back. If you are staying elsewhere, on the coast, in Podgorica or arriving at an airport, the pickup is arranged with me when you write, and it is not part of the price.

If you are on the coast, at Kotor, Budva, Tivat or nearby, the rivers are in the north. From the Tara, the coast is about two hours’ drive; that is my round figure, not a measured time. Tell me where you are staying and I will tell you what the day looks like from there, and whether a night in the mountains makes it easier. If you are staying outside Montenegro, ask me first.

If you are already in the mountains, in Kolašin, Žabljak, Plav or anywhere near, the water is close and the day is simple.

Which water for one day

For a first visit of one day I name the Lim and the Ljuča at Plav, and perhaps the Tara. All the rivers have easy access, and grayling and brown trout live in every one. In the fly fishing zones you can fish all year, when the water level allows, and the best months are June to October.

In summer the lakes are open too, from 1 May to 1 October: Biogradsko Lake from the bank, near Kolašin, which shares a day with the Tara; Plav Lake from a boat, at Plav, which shares a day with the Ljuča and the Lim; and Black Lake from the bank, at Žabljak in Durmitor National Park, a day of its own.

Or tell me what you want from the day and let me choose. Which fish, which water, with the months, is on Fish and seasons.

What to bring, and what I lend

Bring clothes for a day outdoors in the mountains. If you fish, bring your own fly fishing gear.

If you have no gear, you can rent it from me by request: a rod, reel and line or a euro nymph kit, and waders and boots; the prices are on gear rental. Polarized glasses and a hat are lent free with a rental. My rental gear is limited, so ask when you request the day, with your height and shoe size for the waders.

You need a fishing permit on every water. You do not buy it: I arrange every permit, and it is in the price. How that works is in fishing permits in Montenegro.

What the day costs

One guided day is from 190 EUR, with permits and lunch in the price: see Trips. Pickup from the coast is not in that price; we agree it when you write. A second angler adds less than the first, and with three or four the price per angler is lower again; ask me for the group price. A half day is possible on request.

What the day is, and is not

Every fish is released. The fly fishing zones are catch and release, and I fish barbless hooks and a landing net everywhere, so a fish is in your hands for a photo and back in the river in seconds.

I do not promise a fish. I promise a day on clear mountain water with someone who knows it, and the best chance I can give you. Euro nymphing can be part of the day: say so when you write, and I teach it.

How to ask for the day

Send a request with your dates, where you are staying, how many you are, and whether anyone is a beginner or a child.
I reply myself, within one day, with the water I would choose and the price for your group.
Your dates are confirmed. No deposit is asked for, and if you cancel, you pay nothing.

I speak English. The rest of the country, water by water, is in fly fishing in Montenegro: the complete guide.

Questions

Can a beginner fly fish in Montenegro for one day?

Yes. I take anglers new to fly fishing, I rig the rod and teach the cast on the day, and gear can be rented by request.

Can my child come fishing?

Yes, a child can come and try. Tell me how old your child is and what you have in mind, and I will tell you honestly whether the day suits them.

Can I do a fly fishing day trip from Kotor or Budva?

The Tara is about two hours’ drive from the coast, by my round figure. Pickup from the coast is by arrangement with me and is not part of the day’s price. Tell me where you are staying and I will tell you how the day works from there.

Do I need my own gear or a licence?

A licence, no: I arrange every permit and it is in the price. Gear: bring yours if you have it; if not, ask to rent it when you request the day.

Will I catch a fish?

I do not promise one. I promise the right water, the right fly and my full attention for the day.

Tell me your dates, where you are staying and who is coming, and I will reply within one day. Request your dates.

One day of fly fishing on a holiday in Montenegro