Fishing in Trentino on the Sarca river: the best tips for having fun!

Trentino boasts a vast network of running and stagnant waters. Its streams, rivers, lakes and mountain lakes have a very renowned reputation beyond the region, both for the excellent management of the water and because every year they host the fly fishing and spinning championships of the highest categories. Among the various waterways, one stands out which over time has been able to offer maximum entertainment to local fishermen and tourists, gaining the respect of many enthusiasts who come there, year after year, to wet their lines. We are talking about the Sarca river, one of the best-known waterways in Italy and the annual theater of top-level competitions.

Sarca River in Trentino: characteristics and fish present

The origins of the Sarca river lie in the Brenta Dolomites park, among the most important wonders of Europe and the world. Subsequently, the Sarca continues its journey along the Val Rendena, touching famous places such as Madonna di Campiglio or Ponte Arche (next to the famous Terme di Comano). Here the Alto Sarca ends and, from Sarche downwards, up to Lake Garda, the Lower Sarca begins, which meets as many holiday destinations as Arco and Riva del Garda, before flowing into Lake Garda, being the main tributary. It is defined as a "fishermen's paradise", both in the upper and lower parts, due to the very high quality of the water which has allowed the population of marble trout, brown trout, hybrids, grayling and lake trout (which go up Lake Garda) in the final stretch. The prey present is usually larger than 25 centimeters and often reaches 60/70 centimetres. We therefore understand all the fishing potential guaranteed by the Sarca during the various months of the year: even in the height of summer, when it is very hot and the trout really don't want to bite, there is always some nice specimen ready to attack our baits.

Regulations and permits for fishing on the Sarca river

The recommended stretch for fishing on the Sarca river is the NK0 area, a no-lill area which falls within the basin called "Alto Sarca". It borders the Terme di Comano and hosts fly fishing competitions every year. It is a competition field rich in fish, excellently managed by the Alto Sarca Fishermen's Association and has large green areas where you can spend a day fishing with your family. The opening of the NK0 area is scheduled for the last Saturday of February, while the closing is scheduled for October 31st. In fact, fishing is carried out with an ordinary no-kill permit until 30 September, while from 1 to 31 October, a special permit is required for autumn fishing in Trentino. The daily permit costs €23 and can be purchased even without having a type B license. When fishing under a no-kill regime, you can practice both spinning and fly fishing, as long as you use barbless bait (minnow , teaspoons, strictly barbless silicone). For any doubts or further information on the regulation, the Alto Sarca Fishermen's Association responds by email to ufficio@altosarca.it or by telephone on 0465.321051.

How to spin fish on the Sarca river

The Sarca (or La Sarca, as the locals call it) is a river that maintains a good flow of water throughout the year. It rarely takes on a torrential character, with sudden lows and floods. This derives from the fact that the various hydraulic works present along its course, in addition to the important contribution of the various tributaries, regulate the level of the Sarca in an almost natural way. Having said this, it follows that the approach to the Sarca, fishing with spinning, certainly cannot be ultralight at least in the NK0 section, which appears to be the intermediate area of the river. A 2.40 meter spinning rod is ideal, possibly with an action of 5 to 25 grams, and equipped with a 2500/3000 size reel. As far as lures are concerned, size 9/12 spoons (Panther Martin reference) will certainly not be missing in your vest pocket. Sometimes, to arouse the curiosity of listless or wary trout, it may be a good idea to test barbless minnows between 7 and 9 centimeters in size, with a low sinking rate. Finally, two notes for the more practical aspect of fishing on the Sarca: equip yourself with leg loops or waders to walk both in the vegetation and along the waterway. You fish with wet feet and continue upstream in any case. And again, get a landing net with rubberized net. It is strongly recommended to preserve the trout population that lives in no-kill reaches.