Serbia - Huchenangler

Huchen fishing on the Drina is a top-level angling adventure—fast-paced fishing without any boredom.

Our offer includes:

Arrival via Belgrade Airport

Our offer includes:

Transfer from/to the airport to Bajina Bašta (approx. 150 minutes)
Accommodation in a mid-range hotel (double room, half board)
Full-time fishing guiding & personal support
Daily transfers to/from the fishing spots
Fishing permits (no fishing license required)

Prices and Bookings

Price for groups from €1390 per person

Single room supplement: €105
Upgrade supplement: €150

* Single room supplement
Equipment rental optional
Live bait available for purchase on site

The River

On the Drina River, everything is a bit different—the river is huge, and so are the creatures that roam its pools, some of which are up to 1,000 meters long. Some pools reach depths of up to 20 meters and are intersected by channel-like grooves. On my last visit, we were able to observe several huchen (4) hunting simultaneously.

Due to the daily changes in water levels, it’s very important to have a local guide. Mladjo, the undisputed huchen king in the area, is invaluable—here, you get the most important information firsthand. In short, your chances of catching fish increase significantly. Occasionally, extremely large brown trout are caught as bycatch—I saw fish weighing up to 13 kilograms myself.

No compromises should be made with fishing gear. Rods between 2.70–3.00 meters with a casting weight of 100–180g (depending on the manufacturer) are the first choice. For reels, large fish reels, like those used in carp or catfish fishing, are recommended. Pair these with at least 200 meters of braided line in the 60lb+ class.

Baits often need to be cast 60–100 meters to reach the best spots, so heavy silicone lures (up to 80g) are used to achieve the necessary casting distance. Anyone casting here is fishing in the valley of giants. The first bite could easily come from a fish weighing 25 to 35 kilograms. While that’s not typical, countless catches between 15 and 30 kilograms highlight the absolutely unique potential of the Drina River.

The Drina River

The Drina is the largest crystal-clear body of water in Europe, stretching 345 km and absolutely stunning. Our Huchen fishing section is 60 km long, located between the towns of Bajina Bašta and Ljubovija. Our fishing spots are pools that are easily wadeable and up to 18 meters deep. From the motel—situated directly on the Drina River—we can reach the fishing spots by car in just 10–15 minutes.

The water level of the Drina is regulated by a dam located 30 km upstream from our motel. These fluctuations are extremely important for successful Huchen fishing. The Huchen often lies inactive at the bottom of the pools for days. It rarely hunts, feeding primarily on whitefish (such as nase, chub, etc.) that are abundant in the river. These water level changes push the whitefish toward the edges of the river. The Huchen senses the incoming wave with its swim bladder and moves from its pool to the edges where potential food is concentrated—always returning to the same spot! The Huchen is a very ancient species of fish, extremely clever, and very difficult to catch.

The Huchen

The Huchen is a dream trophy for every angler! “A fish of 1,000 casts.”
Hence our motto: Cast and believe!

Fishing Strategy

Our guiding team is in constant contact with the dam personnel, so we are continuously informed about the water level timing. Using this information, we calculate the exact moment the water level will rise at the best pools and can “wait” there for the huchen. If there’s no huchen contact at a spot, we immediately move 7–8 km downstream to another fishing pool. Depending on the water level, we repeat this several times a day. This way, our guests are always at the right place at the right time, increasing the chances of a huchen encounter.

Equipment & Bait

For spin fishing for huchen on the Drina River, you need a 10-foot rod with a casting weight of 150g (or higher). On the reel, at least 150m of quality monofilament (0.42–0.50 mm) should be used, and for the spare spool, braided line of 0.30–0.35 mm. We recommend lures that can be pre-ordered and purchased on-site. Huchen braid, silicone wobblers, and sponge-head lures have proven to be highly effective here. These lures cast very well, which is crucial on a river of this size.

Season & Clothing

The huchen season on the Drina begins in September and lasts until the end of February. The climate is mild, even in January and February, without extreme fluctuations. Proper fishing clothing is, of course, necessary. A neoprene waders is recommended.

Accommodation

The hotel is located directly on the banks of the Drina in the suburb of Bajina Basta. This family-run hotel (with German-speaking staff) offers comfortable double rooms and mid-range apartments, cozy even in winter. All rooms are equipped with a bathroom, TV, and Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant serves excellent international cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere, with a beautiful terrace view of the Drina (glazed in winter).