Italy
Italy grand fishing tour
Apr - Oct
Italy
Is this experience right for me?
Fishing challenge
Physical effort
Non-angler friendly
Technique
Fly Fishing & Spinning
Fish
Trout and Sea Bass
Environment
Freshwater & Saltwater
Italy has always rewarded the traveller who resists the obvious route. This itinerary is built on that principle: four regions, each with its own character, its own rivers, and its own reasons to linger. From the spring-fed limestone streams of Umbria to the Caribbean-style lagoon flats of Grado, through the alpine valleys of the Dolomites and down to the marble trout waters of northern Italy's most storied mountain rivers, the Grand Tour covers the full range of what Italian fly fishing has to offer. The pace is unhurried. The fishing is serious. And the country, as it tends to do, takes care of everything in between.
PART ONE: 4 NIGHTS · 2 FISHING DAYS
Umbria
NERA RIVER VALLEY, CENTRAL ITALY
The Nera River valley south of Spoleto is some of the most beautiful river country in central Italy: gorges of dark limestone, ancient abbeys on the cliffs above the water, and wild brown trout in streams that have never been planted or managed beyond a light touch.
The Corno, a spring-fed tributary rising from the Sibillini mountains, adds a second and entirely different fishery within thirty minutes: shorter, cleaner, and more demanding, with fish that respond only to precise presentation.
The food is outstanding, the truffle capital of Italy is within easy reach, and the pace of the Nera valley is its own reward. Accommodation is in a charming 4-star hotel in the Borgo Cerreto area: stone buildings, Umbrian craftsmanship, and the kind of quiet that comes from being in a valley without a motorway.
The Nera is within ten minutes' drive; the Corno within thirty.
Base camp
Borgo Cerreto
Nestled in the green hills of Valnerina, Borgo Cerreto hides its true charm. The village's beauty lies in its mysterious and tranquil heart. Historically, it served as a strategic and economically significant outpost for Cerreto's security, often contested by various duchies.
PART TWO: 3 NIGHTS · 2 FISHING DAYS
GRADO
THE GOLDEN ISLAND · FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA
Grado sits at the edge of the Adriatic, separated from the mainland by one of the most biodiverse lagoon systems in Europe. Known since antiquity as the Golden Island, this compact island town carries the calm, unhurried character of a place that has always lived in close dialogue with the water. For anglers it offers something rare: a chance to sight-fish for European sea bass in shallow, Caribbean-style flats just one hour from Venice.
Over two full days on the water, the lagoon reveals itself from two angles: first by boat, hunting tailing bass across the sunlit flats, then by kayak, slipping silently through the historic channels of the Valli Veneziane, man-made ecosystems engineered by the Venetians in the 15th century and now fully returned to the wild.
Accommodation is in a converted farmhouse near Aquileia, built around a restored 12th-century hospice and surrounded by kiwi orchards, fifteen minutes from the lagoon.
Base camp
Grado
An island escape where Venetian elegance meets sun-drenched Adriatic charm. Known as the "Golden Island," Grado blends historic cobblestone soul with a modern, high-end coastal pulse.
PART THREE: : 4 NIGHTS · 3 FISHING DAYS
DOLOMITES
TRENTINO · NORTHEAST ITALY
Few places in the world combine fly fishing and natural beauty the way the Dolomites do. This is alpine Italy at its most dramatic: jagged limestone peaks, dense spruce forests, and mountain streams that run cold and impossibly clear through valleys that feel untouched by time. The base is deep in the Trentino valleys, one of the most characterful corners of the Alps, with excellent hotels, great food, and a pace of life built entirely around the mountains.
Three days on the water take you from the main valley rivers up into the narrower beats and high tributaries, each day reading differently from the last. The fishing is technically varied: dry fly in the shallow riffles, tightline nymphing in the deeper pools, and on the right day, sight fishing to marble trout in water so clear the fish are visible from thirty metres.
Accommodation is in a well-appointed boutique hotel or alpine lodge in the Trentino valleys, chosen for character, comfort, and proximity to the water.
Base camp
Madonna di Campiglio
A hidden gem of just 822 residents nestled in the heart of the Adamello Natural Park, this charming village serves as the perfect base for many of our unforgettable fishing adventures in the Dolomites.
PART FOUR: : 2 NIGHTS · 1 FISHING DAY
MILAN
VALSESIA & THE PO BASIN · LOMBARDY
Milan is not just fashion weeks and financial districts: it is the gateway to some of the most varied fly fishing in northern Italy. Within an hour of the city, two entirely different worlds await: the pristine alpine currents of the Sesia river, where marble trout and endemic bluefin grayling hold in swift runs and deep pools below Monte Rosa, and the warm, wide channels of the Po basin, where barbel and carp feed visibly in the shallows through the summer months. The guide reads the conditions on the day and chooses accordingly. Either way, a fittingly different final day on the fly.
Base camp
Milan
Milan, the world capital of fashion and design, is a metropolis in Northern Italy and the capital of Lombardy. Home to the Italian Stock Exchange, it is also a financial hub. The Gothic-style Duomo and the Leonardo da Vinci's fresco "The Last Supper," testify to the city's artistic and cultural heritage.
Make it your own
The Tour is designed as a complete journey, but every itinerary can be extended, upgraded, or personalised. The extensions below can be added before, during, or after the core tour.
OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
Isernia: The Apennines
For those who want to start the tour in the Italian south, Isernia adds three nights and two fishing days before Umbria. The limestone rivers near Isernia run through deep Apennine valleys that have seen almost no tourism and almost no fishing pressure, carrying wild brown trout of native Mediterranean stock in water cold and clear enough to sight-fish in the right conditions. Naples is 90 minutes south; Rome is two hours north. Fly into Naples, f ish the south, then travel north to begin the core tour in Umbria.
3 nights · 2 fishing days · Price on request
OPTIONAL INSERT, BETWEEN GRADO & DOLOMITES
Slovenia: The Soča Valley
The Soča Valley is one of the two or three most technically demanding and visually spectacular fly fishing destinations in the world. An emerald-green river cutting through limestone gorges and alpine forests, with the Julian Alps rising behind it. Adding Slovenia inserts three nights and two fishing days between Grado and the Dolomites, a natural pause before the alpine leg, and one of the most beautiful drives in Europe between the two. Fishing licenses in Slovenia are among the most expensive in Europe and are included in the price.
3 nights · 2 fishing days · Price on request
OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION
The French Riviera: Roya River
Just 45 minutes from Nice, the Roya River flows through dramatic canyon walls of the Mercantour National Park before reaching the Mediterranean. One of France's great fishing recovery stories, devastated by Storm Alex in 2020 and now, five years on, fishing better than ever. Wild brown trout with characteristic dark coloration and bold red spots, in turquoise water that rivals the best Slovenian rivers. Euro nymph and dry fly, with sight fishing to large fish in the bigger pools. A compelling final chapter for those who want to end the tour on the Côte d'Azur. From Milan, drive or fly to Nice and base yourself in the Roya valley for three nights before departing from Nice or returning to Milan.
3 nights · 2 fishing days · Price on request
Includes
✅ 13 nights accommodation
✅ 8 guided fishing days
✅ Premium equipment throughout: rod, waders, boots, flies
✅ Fishing licenses for all fishing days
✅ Lunch and snacks on the water, every fishing day
✅ Daily breakfast at all accommodations
✅ South Tyrol winery visit and tasting
✅ Umbria truffle hunting experience
Not included: flights, internal transfers and car hire, dinner, travel insurance, anything not listed above.
FAQ
Are fishing licences included in the price?
Yes. It's one of the most significant daily costs of a fishing trip — which is exactly why we include it in your final quote upfront, so there are no surprises when you arrive.
We handle the purchase for you. You show up, pick up your rod, and fish. If you're planning extra days on the water independently before or after your guided experience, we're happy to help you navigate the process for those too.
Most of the best Italian water is managed as Riserve: beats run by local associations, each with its own daily permit, and the rules change from one river section to the next. On this tour we arrange the permit for every Riserva you fish, in every region.
What is the minimum duration for this package?
The minimum duration for this package is 18 nights with 8 days of fishing. However, we can tailor any trip in Italy from one day to multiple days of fishing in any Italian region.
Is this experience private or group-based?
This Rod Society experience is strictly private and we don't do mixed groups. Your itinerary is fully crafted around your specific group and skill level. Whether you are traveling solo or with a large group, you will have dedicated private guides to ensure a seamless, high-touch experience.
What equipment should I use?
Equipment needs vary across the tour—a 9ft 4/5wt for the technical dry fly work in Umbria's spring creeks, a light spinning setup for Grado's lagoon, a heavier rig with sinking lines for marble trout in the Dolomites, and stronger tippet for the Po's barbel outside Milan. If you don't have your own gear, don't worry—our guide will have everything necessary at each stop, including rods, reels, lines, waders, boots, flies, and more, matched to that day's fishing.
It's still important to dress appropriately for the outdoors, with waterproof gear, layers for changing temperatures across regions, and UV protection. While we offer high-quality equipment throughout, you are welcome to bring your own preferred gear if you wish.
For sea bass on the fly in the Grado lagoon, the setup is a 9 ft 8 or 9 weight rod with an intermediate or fast-sinking line, and baitfish imitations such as Clouser Minnows stripped through current seams and structure.
Why should I book here?
We craft itineraries with trusted local guides to ensure an exceptional experience with top professionals who know the waters inside out. We always include fishing licenses, so you don’t have to deal with any local bureaucracy or paperwork. We also provide top-notch equipment: rods, waders, and flies. We travel a lot too, and we know that sometimes you simply can’t carry five rods, boots, waders and bulky gear with you.
We’ve got your back.
Cancellation Policy
The deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel more than one month before your scheduled experience, you will not owe the remaining balance. If you cancel within one month of the scheduled date, the full price will be charged and no refunds will be issued.
Which airport is the nearest?
The tour spans several regions, so the arrival and departure points change along the route. For arrival in Umbria, the nearest airports are Rome's Fiumicino or Ciampino, around two hours' drive from the Nera Valley. For those adding the Isernia extension, Naples is the ideal starting point, about 90 minutes away. The tour concludes in Milan, where the airports are well connected to the city centre: Malpensa around 50 minutes by express train, Linate 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
If you'd prefer, we can help arrange internal transfers between each stop on the tour.
Do your guides speak English and other languages?
Yes, all our guides are locals and are trained to communicate effectively with an international audience. They are fluent in English and the local language, and many of them speak additional languages to ensure a seamless experience for everyone.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable for fishing?
If our guides determine that the weather or water conditions are unsuitable for fishing, you will receive a full refund. Alternatively, we can reschedule your trip for the soonest available date that works for you.
If you still need support you can contact us anytime!
Price on request
From Umbrian rivers to the Grado lagoon and the Dolomites: 13 nights across Italy with 8 days on the water, shaped around you.
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