Piedmont Sesia Valley

THE FISHING

The Sesia Valley is the very definition of “off the beaten path” Italy. At just under a two-hour drive north west of Milan, this region is sparsely populated, extremely remote, and rarely visited by tourists. This area is where the origins of fly fishing in Italy really took root and it has a deep history of fly-fishing tradition that is unparalleled within the country.

One of the real attributes to fly fishing the Sesia Valley, is the incredible number of rivers and tributaries that guests can access on a trip and it would likely take a dozen visits to this area before you started to exhaust new daily river options. The main rivers we fish in this region are Mastallone, Egua, Rimella, and Sermenza rivers, and a little further afield, the Sesia River. But where this area really shines are the fantastic smaller tributaries of these rivers and among our favorites are the Servo, Roy, Valbella, Nono and Bagnola.

The water clarity in the Sesia Valley rivers is generally, very clear, which creates an excellent environment for anglers who enjoy sight casting to specific fish. These are all freestone rivers with a wide variety of distinct river compositions, which vary from river to river. Rivers like the Mastallone have deep emerald green pools broken up by short rocky runs while other rivers like the Sesia have longer, flatter runs that are fished, with fewer pools. Most of the rivers offer good access in and out that only require a low to moderate fitness level. For the more adventurous, there are numerous gorges and canyon sections that are certainly more challenging to access. Regardless of which river you are on when fly fishing in the Sesia Valley, the backdrop is a stunning combination of mountains and foothills that are nothing short of spectacular.

This part of Northen Italy is unique in that if offers up an excellent variety of species to target. Rainbow and Brown Trout, Marble Trout and some nice sized Grayling, can all be caught during the course of a  week. Fish up to six pounds are not uncommon, with the average sized fish (excluding Grayling) running between two and four pounds. Depending on the environmental conditions and which river you are fishing that day, dry fly, nymphing and streamers techniques will be all utilized in this part of Italy.  Guests will have the same guide for the duration of the trip and all the guides who work with us in Northern Italy are definitely dry fly oriented.

This is an excellent fishery that will surprise many first-time visitors, not just with the quality of the fishery and beautiful environment, but also with the high caliber of guiding that comes with this destination.      

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

4-wheel drive vehicles take guests to the rivers. This is strictly a walk and wade destination.

GETTING THERE

Guests will arrive and depart from this trip through the Milan Malpensa International Airport (airport code MXP) Because Milan is such a vibrant and dynamic city, filled with excellent restaurants, bars and a multitude of shopping, we recommend that guests coming in for this trip, spend a couple of days in the city before the fishing part of the trip starts. We will coordinate your transfer up to Bocciolaro Cravagliana where we pick you up from either the Milan International Airport of the hotel you are staying at in downtown Milan.   

Slipstream is a full-service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2024-25