Val di Fumo: a paradise for fly fishing!

Intro

I have been fishing in Val di Fumo for years. But to date that I'm writing to you, I had never found the time to write a dedicated article, and there were only a few lines in the Experience section that you can always find here on my site. But now I want write this blog also to complete the related video that you can find below.

The Val di Fumo is the valley in which the Chiese river originates. Here in the Adamello group, at the foot of the Carè Alto, is the highest stretch of river managed by the Associazione Pescatori Alto Chiese. In fact, you fish at an altitude ranging from 1900 mt. at 2100 mt. above sea level, and there are both brook trout and brown trout, with beautiful colors! Fly fishing in a landscape like this is truly a 360° experience that goes beyond simple capture, because you are surrounded by green meadows, very high mountains full of snow, and crystal water that comes directly from the glacier, it really seems to be in paradise!

Fishing, tackle and flies

Fishing in Val di Fumo is concentrated in the summer months between June and September, but the opening can also be anticipated at the end of May in the years when the snow melts earlier. Here dry fly fishing is the most beautiful technique to practice and also the most profitable, but obviously in certain moments and situations you need to be ready to fish with nymph or with streamer. The Val di Fumo can be tackled both with waders and on dry foot. Personally I recommend on dry feet, a pair of mountain boots and technical pants to move more freely during the walk and to be lighter to be able to still have energy to fish in the afternoon and face the return walk. It should also be said, however, that if you decide to fish it with waders you have the advantage of being able to fish certain spots that are not normally fished by those who, like me, fishing in dry foot.
You have to go well equipped: backpack, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (possibly polarized), and be ready to change from a light t-shirt to a sweatshirt and shell for sudden summer showers. As far as fishing tackle is concerned, an all purpose 8'6", 9' or 9'6" rod for #3, #4 or #5 line is ideal.
You fish very well on dry fly with the legendary Deer Sedge, or with terrestrials such as Grasshopper and Fly Ant. But especially in the afternoon or in the evening when there are hatches, the March Brown is also an excellent fly. As for nymphs and streamers, in general dark flies like the Nymph White Black, Black Orange and Black UV Light Pink work well. Fishing is done either in the central course of the river, where the fish are normally found near the bank ready to attack any insect that may fall from the grass, or in the magnificent lateral ridges with water so transparent that it seems distilled. In both cases it is possible to do sight fishing, and this is really very exciting.

Morphology

The Val di Fumo is certainly one of the most beautiful valleys in Italy and Trentino, and the stretch of the Chiese river that crosses it is truly wonderful. Deep holes alternate near the falls that mark a change in altitude, with long scrapes and stretches of almost flat water. In some points the river divides into several branches, which then dry up, or almost, during the course of the season. In addition to the central course with a white granite backdrop, you can find beautiful micro environments with a dark backdrop, which are the side rails. If we look at the Val di Fumo from upstream to downstream, the river begins precisely from the sources at the foot of the glacier and then flows into the lake of the Malga Bissina dam at the end of the valley. The water flow varies according to the season, the rainfall, and how much snow fell during the previous winter. In most cases the water level goes on a gradual decline from June to September. The part of river that can be fish in the valley is 7 km.

Conclusion

It is a great itinerary for both experienced anglers and beginners. The catches can be many but they are certainly not obvious, because the weather and the conditions of the river greatly influence the activity of the fish. An excellent destination also to go up with the family to combine a day outdoors, and a nice walk, with some cast.

Below I leave you with some photos of this magnificent valley and its fiery colored fish!

To fish together and experience these emotions go to page contacts.

Thanks for reading and see you next time :)

Matteo Lavezzini