Wild southern trout

Fishing techniques in these rivers near Naples vary significantly throughout the season. Early in the year, depending on temperatures but typically from February through April, nymph fishing is the most effective approach. This is often done using tight-line techniques with larger flies and relatively strong tippet, usually no lighter than 0.16 mm. It is the best time to target the biggest predatory fish.

As temperatures rise, those same trout begin feeding on the surface, taking advantage of delicate hatches and, toward the evening, the large moths typical of the area. During this period, the flats of the Volturno become the stage for spectacular rises and highly technical dry fly sessions, where long leaders, finer tippets and smaller patterns are essential.

Our preferred rod to adapt across techniques is a 10-foot 3-weight, offering versatility between nymphing and dry fly fishing. For pure dry fly situations, however, a shorter 7-foot 3-weight is often the perfect choice. It is no coincidence that right here, on the Sangro, the TLT (Tecnica di Lancio Totale) was developed, one of the most distinctive dry fly casting styles in Europe. The Sangro even hosts a dedicated museum and a statue honoring fly fishing, a testament to the deep cultural roots of the sport in this region.

This corner of the Apennines is, in every sense, a hidden gem of Southern European fly fishing.