Mika Lappalainen | Friday, 22 May 2026
It is our third day in Slovenia. It will be second fishing day also. We had good time and fishing in Krka river. On the way back we started to plan next fishing day, as we knew Unica river was crowded when were in Krka as there was rain in mountain area, so our guide Bruno thought that it will be more quiet next day as weather is good in mountains again.
It would be mostly grayling fishing and brown trouts, in that order. He explained that we need to have thin tippets and small flies, even 24 or 26 could be useful. He told that fish are picky and somehow we got idea that also really spooky ones.
We started to have feeling that it would be like Vindelån trout fishing, you get one cast, two if lucky and bye-bye if you don't deliver. Satu was little worried as she loves grayling fishing and catching graylings. River sounded possibility no catch for her and could be tricky to me also.
I like challenging fishing, yet new river and place, new fishing... it would be interesting day coming ahead. We were unloading car when Satu said that we can take Bruno as guide for one more day, I should consider that as my birthday present.
Luckily he was free to come so we planned little together and time for bed. I was relief as some pressure off from me.
We started 9 am our 40 minutes drive to Unica river, first stop was on "famous" bridge where you see river first time. Also famous for fishermen to fish as there was few guys getting ready on parking place. We stopped on small village to buy licenses, expensive ones as it was 99e/license.
Then drove to see first spot, really nice small spot for 2 person. As we started to get ready game warden came to check licenses, if we would like to show those as we weren't fishing yet. We had no problem on that as I was really happy that they are active about checking licenses. He name was also Mika.
He told that behind corner there are 3 fishermen already with waders on so we decided to move. No room for us on that spot. And as we knew that next bridge there is already fishermen, our guide left car next to ruined castle and we walked to our spot.
We crossed bridge by walking and saw some nice fish rising and cruising around And four fishermen. We walked downstream about 1 km, following river as we didn't want cross field to damage hay. That field is lake during winter and frozen.
We came to our spot and I saw few nice graylings right away. Bruno explained again river's character and he mentioned that cast on rising fish. As I could see some I had to ask why only rising fish, he told that normally is the only way know where fish are, now when I saw I could of course cast on those also. He told me to start 6x tippet and if rejection go smaller tippet.
I was left on nice spot next to field with some nice graylings, on other side trees were bending over river giving hide-out for trouts. Bruno took Satu up from me and reminded the "border" which will be what Satu will end fishing, also he told don't fish upstream as it won't work on these graylings.
I started to fish that nice grayling. First few cast nothing and then it came to see fly and turned back way too early, tippet is too big, so I jumped to x7 tippet. Now a few cast and rising, this time rejected fly, decision was made latest possible point.
Now I had to find right fly, few attemps and found size 22 ant good to go. Slow-motion rise and take on crystal clear water, you have to hold your nervous. Fight started and I realized that I won't be able to net it myself as I had leader 15 ft and almost 3 ft tippet. Leader/flyline connection had issues with rings so I wanted to play safe and whistled Bruno to come help and also take photos.
We landed nice 44 cm grayling. Same time Satu had fish behind bend and bushes, she lost +40 cm grayling when hook got stuck on landing net in last second. (which we heard later)
Bruno went back with Satu and I continued my stretch. I landed totally three over 40 cm grayling and several under. Great day going with dries. Satu had also success and landed nice brown trout and good grayling. We had lunch break and I had short nap after as activity was gone and heavy wind rised.
I was happy to hear that Satu was doing great and had few graylings. Satu approach and wading is compensating some issues from presentation and casting. She was still on fire like on first day.
After lunch we fished about same area, had few fish and then crossed river and moved downstream. There was long bend with beautiful spots, and evening hatch was about to start.
Satu and Bruno found rising fish and I went down to find something for me. I found place with lot of active fish and massive hatch. Rusty spinners everywhere, some mayflies and super small mayflies.
There was one rise now and then which was from big fish. I started to find right fly, rusty spinners didn't work, emergent neither, small stone fly, no... I tried to find fly and tested with smaller graylings so I wouldn't spook big one. Then I found right one, size 24 gnat type.. Got smaller one and now after big one.
Big said no thank you, so I went one more size 24 ant, suck and hooked. I felt that is bigger than anything earlier. I played carefully as I had 0.07 mm tippet (x8). I had again problems with connection and rings. So I whistled help, Bruno and Satu didn't hear as there were behind bend and I was also fine with that.
Now fish jumped and it was big one truly, continued safe fight and had it on net almost twice, each time my hand was 10 cm too short... We were still on... new jump, yep +50 cm grayling and fat as shitty fisherman. It made run and I got it stopped nicely. Now it was time to bring it in. And of course I forgot how thin my tippet is, just little too much pressure and line broke. You are mean river.
Bruno and Satu joined me and I told what happened. Bruno said that would trophy fish from Unica, even getting over 40 cm grayling is great result, some never got one. And I had three +40 cm already.
I saw other big fish rise downstream and started to approach that, problem was all smaller graylings taking my fly. Eventually I reach spot and landed nice 43 cm grayling, number 4 for day. It was time to finish day, daylight started to fade and we had walk back to car and drive home. This time Bruno had extra beer when we arrived car. Points for him.
Unica river is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It has two characters... good one and evil. On its best it is absolutely beautiful river with great fishing and then it can truly give fuck you attitude in seconds. We tried to fish Unica again on our last day in Slovenia, impossible with high muddy water. Luckily there is plenty options around when Unica turns Mr. Hyde.
Now I'm heading to Sweden, some snooker and fishing
Have a nice weekend and go fishing
Mika the Legend
Ps my shirt got lot of attention in Slovenia :D :D