Montenegro : Updates
Kindly contributed by Kevin Lyne HM Ambassador at Podgorica 2007–2009
As you might expect from the geography of Montenegro, there is spectacular fly fishing for trout and grayling in the many rivers and mountain lakes. This has been relatively neglected by organised adventure holiday companies and the keen fisherman will need to spend some time planning and preparing for this sport. The following locations are well worth checking out: the rivers Moraca and Cijevna near Podgorica (and the tributary Mrtvica north of Podgorica); the river Zeta near Niksic; the river Lim near Bijelo Polje, the river Tara in and near Kolasin; the Komarnica canyon and Trnovacko lake near Pluzine; and Plav lake and the rivers which flow in and out of this. The season is from 1 April to 1 November, with some local variations. Licence fees will also vary from place to place, and are reasonably priced, but foreigners pay more than Montenegrins. You will find free and friendly advice in specialised fishing tackle shops, for example those in Podgorica near Marka Miljanova and Vukova streets. Hotels and tour operators should also be able to connect you with shops and guides. Tackle-wise, a 4-weight rod with floating line should be adequate for most situations. Excellent locally-tied flies can be obtained in the shops.
That's the good news. Less encouraging is the degree to which this outstanding fishing habitat is under threat from under-regulated development (eg gravel extraction), pollution and over-fishing. There are some courageous and pioneering fishing enthusiasts in Montenegro who are doing their best to resist this, including through the enforcement of catch and release policies. The fishing clubs in Kolasin and Plav deserve special mention in this regard. But it is tough going. Growing interest from foreign visitors should support their campaigns, so help them where you can!