Luka Zupancic is a Slovenian fly fishing guide who has dedicated his career to the rivers of the Julian Alps, specializing in the pursuit of marble trout — a genetically distinct and critically endangered salmonid found only in the Adriatic drainage of Slovenia and northeastern Italy. Luka grew up in the village of Tolmin at the confluence of the Soca and Tolminka rivers, and the emerald waters of these alpine streams have been his classroom and his obsession since childhood. With fourteen years of professional guiding, he is one of the most knowledgeable marble trout specialists working in Slovenia today.
Marble trout fishing requires a fundamentally different approach than most trout fishing. The Soca's extraordinary clarity means that fish can detect an angler's presence from considerable distance, demanding cautious approaches, long leaders, and precise first casts. Luka coaches his clients through every step of the stalk, from initial fish detection through final presentation, and his patient, encouraging style helps nervous anglers manage the pressure of casting to a rare and beautiful fish in water so clear it feels like fishing in an aquarium.
Luka holds all required Slovenian fishing licenses and arranges the daily and special permits needed to fish for marble trout, navigating a regulatory system that is among the most conservation-oriented in Europe. He also guides on the Idrijca, Unec, and other Slovenian rivers for brown and rainbow trout, and he leads multi-day fishing tours that combine alpine fishing with Slovenian wine tasting and cultural excursions.
Contact Luka Zupancic — Soca Valley Fly Fishing directly to book your guided trip.
