Last year, this peculiar bunch of kayakers traded their hard boats for rubber boats and donned snorkels in search of Huchen on the Sava River. This year, they traded their paddles for fly rods—on the hunt for the Huchen’s smaller salmonid relatives: trout.

“Trout are a special kind of fish that live in healthy rivers full of rapids, oxygen and surrounded by spectacular scenery. The same kind of rivers kayakers like.”

Turns out trout and kayakers have something in common. But just because you’re familiar with the river, doesn’t mean you can catch a trout.

“If you are able to find the fish, you need to be able to get the fly to the fish. This is where it gets complicated…”

Fly fishing doesn’t start on the river, it starts at camp with a simple lesson on theory and fly tying with a side of spirits—but not too many spirits. You will have to make it to the river eventually.

“Although it might be difficult to pass on hard-earned knowledge, it is the right thing to do.”

There are masters and then there are eager beavers. The first time you hold a wild trout in your hands is unforgettable. Plus it gives the masters a chance to teach the newbies about species preservation. In the Soča, if you net a marble trout, it should be released but rainbow trout can leave the river and provide dinner.

This mini-series is brought to you by Balkan River Defence. Shot on location on Slovenia’s Soča River in hopes of better educating the public on why free-flowing rivers matter and to prove that conservation is anything but boring.