Patagonia Fish presents "Heroes of the Soča River"

Fishing stories and river protection: the Isonzo, a history and landscape to defend

On Sunday, February 15th, from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at the Talk Show Area (Hall A3), Patagonia will present a preview of the upcoming Patagonia Fish film: "Heroes of the Soča River" at Pescare Show.

Inspired by the Balkan River Defence movement and the work of its founder Rok Rozman, former Olympic kayaker, biologist, and film director, the talk addresses the environmental issues threatening one of the most iconic rivers in North-Eastern Europe: the Isonzo (Soča).

Through two video contributions – the preview of the Patagonia film and the investigative report by filmmaker and angler Alex Puntin (Gudoterror) – the talk will offer a direct look at the challenges facing the Isonzo River ecosystem. Pier Paolo Gibertoni, president of the Mediterranean Trout Research Group (MTRG), will also join the discussion to delve into the environmental impacts and the protection of the marble trout, a symbolic species now at risk due to hybridization with brown trout and water level fluctuations caused by hydroelectric dams.

This meeting is an opportunity to talk about fishing, but above all about responsibility, knowledge, and river protection.

The talk guests:

Pier Paolo Gibertoni is a veterinarian specialized in ichthyology and wildlife management. Founder of the "Mediterranean Trout Research Group", with extensive experience in hydrobiology, he studies sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin for the protection of native salmonids.

Alex Puntin, known online as Gudoterror, is an independent filmmaker and storyteller with extensive experience in producing content dedicated to fishing and water as an authentic experience. With a background in computer science, he has created hundreds of videos and documentaries broadcast on TV and digital platforms, portraying both sea and freshwater without filters.

The talk will be moderated by Alberto Salvini, a fishing professional and artificial fly designer with over forty years of experience. From 2005 to 2025, he was a producer, author, and deputy editorial director at RCS Mediagroup, contributing to the development of content dedicated to sport fishing. He collaborates with Patagonia Fish as pro-staff, technical consultant, and marketing for the fly fishing sector.