Fly Fishing the fascinating Misurina, Pearl of Cadore!

There are particular climatic features that distinguish this area. Undoubtedly, Misurina is one of the places where the air is cleanest in the world. The air is so pure that it is ideal for the treatment and rehabilitation of respiratory diseases. In this location, since ancient times, some respiratory diseases have been treated. This is thanks to the purity of the mountain air and the contact with nature.

The lake has flora and fauna of great naturalistic interest. In addition, there are always some nice aquatic birds present, including various species of ducks, sometimes with their little ducklings. From the legendary Lake Misurina, also called the Pearl of Cadore, an interesting watercourse is born. Furthermore, it develops for about thirty kilometres through the surrounding forests, gradually changing its characteristics. Perfect spot for a fly fishing adventure.

Legend tells of a very spoiled little girl, named Misurina, little daughter of ancient King Sorapis. Indeed, the name of the king is the same as an important mountain group in the area. The king governed the surrounding lands between the Tofane peaks, the Marmolada, the Antelao and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. He definitely adored his little girl, in fact he tried to satisfy her every odd whim.

Following, one day the little girl learned that a fairy owned a weird magic mirror capable of reading the thoughts of anyone who looked in it. The little girl wanted this mirror at all costs and she insisted until her father, tired of her, took her to the fairy’s house on Mount Cristallo. The fairy had understood that the little girl was extremely spoiled, so she didn’t want to please her.

But, after her father’s strong insistence she decided to impose a very harsh condition before separating from her mirror. The fairy told King Sorapis she would give him the mirror only if he transformed into a mountain, in order to protect her beautiful garden from the beating sun, which made her flowers wither prematurely. The king, despite her, accepted and, just as he was handing the mirror to her daughter, it began to transform, becoming a gigantic mountain.

Little Misurina, sitting on her father’s lap, realised she was on the edge of a precipice and, struck by her sudden, overwhelming dizziness, she fell disastrously into the abyss below. Following, the sad father, now gigantic, mourned the dramatic death of his minute daughter with giant, uncontrollable tears that collected in two shiny, sorrowful streams, slowly giving life to the legendary, shimmering Lake Misurina.

Especially, wild brown trout and alpine char populate the crystal clear waters of the Lake Misurina and surrounding creeks. The lake has an average depth of between four and five metres. Few depper pools can reach up to eight meters. Fishing at high altitude is possible starting from the month of May, after a long period in which the surface is frozen, until October. It is not uncommon to encounter grazing cows, wild horses and other forest animals in the meadows near Lake Misurina.

The Dolomites are famous not only for their scenic beauty, but also for their biological diversity. This wonderful mountain environment is home to a varied fauna, which includes numerous easily recognisable animals, such as deer and chamois. But also the ibex, the marmot, the fox, the badger, the marten and the ermine. In humid environments it is very easy to encounter amphibians such as the fire salamander, with its typical black-yellow colour, and the alpine newt.

It is a territory that formally belongs to the Municipality of Auronzo di Cadore. But, it is at the disposal of the ancient Regole of Villagrande and Villapiccola. They were the self-governing body of the native population who settled here a few centuries before Christ. For some years institutions reconstitute the Regole, previously abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte. Then administered as Fractions with separate budgets by the Municipality of Auronzo.

At the beginning of each summer, the people of Auronzo brought their cows to Misurina, which, feeding on the grass and flowers of the rich pastures, produced milk rich in vitamins with which the cheesemaker, made excellent butter, ricotta and cheese. The original name of the town was Mesòrina, later Italianised as Misurina. Some of the most beautiful mountains in the world reflect in its lake with emerald green waters.

In the high embrace of the Cadore Dolomites, where jagged limestone peaks scratch the sky and larches sway in alpine silence, the brown trout rules the hidden veins of the land. Crystal streams tumble from snowfields and springs, threading through untouched forest and stony ravine. Among them, the Ansiei River and the creeks of Misurina carry more than just water—they carry life, memory, and quiet magic.

The Ansiei, born beneath the towering Croda dei Toni, descends in a sparkling dance, carving its way through the Val d’Ansiei with relentless clarity. In its shaded pools and fast runs, Salmo trutta fario, the native brown trout, glides like a shadow—its flanks golden and flecked with crimson, its instincts ancient. These fish are mountain-born, sculpted by cold water and the silence of pine.

Higher still, near Lake Misurina, small feeder creeks trickle down like silver threads from rock and meadow. Here, in the chill of dawn, mist swirls above water where wild trout rise for alpine insects. It’s a world of silence and sudden movement. A rise, a swirl, a flicker—and then stillness returns. The rhythm is nature’s own.

To fish here is not merely to cast a line. It is to listen—to the stone, the wind, the distant echo of eagles. It is to step softly, knowing that each trout carries the spirit of the mountain: elusive, elegant, untamed.In these creeks, where time feels slowed and ancient myths linger in the fog, the brown trout remains a living symbol of purity—guardian of the wild, keeper of alpine waters.

Even when the skies darken and the rivers rise, the Dolomites do not disappoint. Around Misurina, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, bad weather simply unveils a different kind of beauty—a chance to slow down, explore, and connect with the mountains beyond the water.

Step inside the warmth of Cortina’s museums, like the Museo d’Arte Moderna Mario Rimoldi or the Ethnographic Museum of the Regole, where alpine culture, history, and art tell the story of these rugged lands. Perfect for rainy afternoons and quiet contemplation.

Even under dramatic skies, the cable cars from Cortina (like Faloria or Tofana) offer jaw-dropping views and a surreal experience—gliding above fog-wrapped forests and cloud-touched peaks. At the top, cozy mountain huts serve warm meals and views that stir the soul.

Rain or shine, Lake Misurina holds an ethereal charm. Wrapped in fir trees and Dolomite cliffs, it’s a hauntingly beautiful place when shrouded in mist. Take a quiet lakeside walk, visit the historic Grand Hotel Misurina, or warm up with coffee and strudel in a mountain café.

For those who don’t mind a bit of drizzle, low-elevation hikes around Misurina or Val di Landro offer soft trails through enchanted woods and meadows. With waterproof gear and caution, the mood is almost dreamlike, with waterfalls louder and birdsong closer.

In Cortina, indulge in spa experiences with a view. Many hotels offer wellness centers with saunas, pools, and massages—the perfect way to restore body and spirit while the rain taps gently outside.

The Dolomites were once battlefields. Visit open-air World War I sites, tunnels, and restored trenches near Lagazuoi or Monte Piana, where dramatic history meets wild landscape. Even in rain, these places speak powerfully of courage and endurance.

When the rivers rage and casting is off the table, eat like a local. Enjoy rich mountain dishes like casunziei, polenta, wild game, and mushrooms. Pair it with a glass of Alto Adige wine or a warming grappa.