Pool 32 Mag: Hotel Wutte i Austria - The best from two worlds!!

I have been to Austria several times, fly fishing at a great variety of places. And it’s always lived up to my expectations. Then last summer my very good friend Robert told me about a place one of his friends owned in the southern part of Austria. It was located very close to the Slovenian border, so in other words we could experience some of the best fly fishing one could imagine from two worlds. Within a relative short drive, we would gain access to great fly fishing in Austria (some only a few minutes from the hotel). But we would also have rivers like the Soca in Slovenia within reach - The best from two worlds - it sounded to good to be true, but without any doubt, I had to explore this place.
We arranged it, and suddenly I found my self in a plain to Munich, then in a hired car to the small village of Primus, were the hotel were located. A typical mountain village, quit and beautiful - I simply love these small refugees - I want to get old in a town like that!!!. No graffiti, no gang violence, no cars, no noise - why do I live in a big city????

Robert deeply concentrated :O)

View from hotel :O)

The cosy family hotel Wutte

Everything went smooth, I arrived early in the evening to the little cosy family Hotel Wutte. Here I was received with great friendliness, got myself a big sandwich and a Radler (German beer with lime - the best!!!) - then a hot shower and off to bed.

Next morning when I attended the breakfast buffet, Robert and his fantastic wife Michaela, and their two kids were already at the table, eating breakfast. I joined them and we started catch up on lost time - and to plan the fishing for the coming week of course.

Luckily for me, they were all very familiar with the place, so I just had to follow along - perfect, like having your own personally - “guide family” - at my disposal.

They showed me some fantastic fishing, and we caught a lot of fish in all sizes that first day - rainbow, brownies and graylings - life is treating you good in moments like that!!!.

Mr. Milan Wutte in action :O)

After a couple of days in the local waters, where Robert by the way broke his split cane rod on a HUGE rainbow - his #4 couldn't match a 5-6 kg. very strong rainbow (94 cm,) - but somehow he managed to land it with the top piece alone!! - that's what I call real fly fishing!! :O)

Then Milan stepped into the picture. He wanted to take us all to Slovenia for a day trip, witch sounded perfect, since I'd never been there before, but heard so much positive about it.

Big shadow - Big fish!!

Next morning it was an “early bird” for all of us, before the sun came up, we drove of to Slovenia.

We arrived after about two hours driving, to something which is hard to describe, simply because the colors of the river, we parked beside, were unbelievable. Words can describe what we saw - a turquoise-bluish river!!! - an unreal and fascinating sight. But as if that wasn't enough, we could spot several big fish in the very clear water, from the bridge where we stood. I just had to fish!!!. And we did!!.

Milan and I went out alone, and for me that was a gift. Not only were Milan an excellent guide and fly fisher, but he knew every pool in this river, like the back of his hand - what a privilege it was to for me to be at the right place, with the right person. The experience I had with Milan that day, were beyond everything I ever experienced before!!. He showed me places I don't think many people have seen down there, fantastic nature and challenging fishing. The clear water in a combination with huge fish, made it difficult, but not impossible at all. I love this kind of fishing, where you have to think before you cast, everything has to come together, in a higher dimension. I’ll never forget that day we spend fishing together, those places we fished will always be something I can rely on for the rest of my life!

Gorgeous Slovenia

Milan grew up in this area and his comes from a family of several generations of fly fishers, so there probably isn't a better guide in this area.

Milan had the most amazing fishing technique, and I learned so from him that single day, than I’ve learned in years - besides that, Milan was great company, and we had some “great laughs” together!

We ended our trip in Slovenia in a nice restaurant, here we all enjoyed a very good dinner. Of course Milan knew the owner so we got a special treatment - a perfect ending of a perfect day.

Next spring I have o go bak in may, where the big hatching starts and hopefully Milan, Robert and his family and I will experince the same weather, the same atmosphere and the same sublime fishing.

Link o Milans nice little family hotel: http://www.familienerlebnis.at/