Last weekend Aleksandar Černyš from Zrenjanin and I used a cloudy day for a short but eventful trip: one day of fly fishing on the Mlava River. Hidden among the hills of eastern Serbia, this river is known for its wild trout and dark, almost mysterious water.
From the moment we arrived, nature greeted us with silence. Beneath a grey sky and soft light, the river moved at its own pace — unhurried but determined, as if guarding old secrets. The trout here are wild, strong and cautious. Every cast tests your nerves. They showed almost no interest in dry flies or streamers; only nymphs worked. Anything that travelled deeper and resembled real food had a chance.
Fishing pressure is low and we saw almost no other fly anglers, but unfortunately the Mlava has one serious problem: rubbish. Plastic, bags, old cables and tyres spoil the beauty of this genuinely enchanting river. Aleksandar and I discussed organising a cleanup because a river like this deserves better.
We spent the entire day on the water, watching the current, changing nymphs and trying different techniques. There were takes, lost fish, moments of joy and disappointment — everything you expect on a wild river. The Mlava does not forgive mistakes, but it rewards you with real emotion.
Tired but satisfied, we returned home feeling that we had discovered another small treasure that deserves protection. If you enjoy a challenge, silence and wild trout, the Mlava is waiting. Please bring a rubbish bag with you. The video below shows how much waste has collected on the far bank.
See prices for our all-inclusive fishing trip on the Lim and Ljuča rivers in Montenegro https://fly-fishing.rs/