When considering your next fly fishing trip, be that salt or freshwater, there is a chance that you consider just a small range compared to what is available. In trout fishing the mind often wanders off to the New Zealand back country, the gorges of Argentina or the open plains of the American West but there is a venue you may have overlooked; Spain, and in particular the Spanish Pyrenees.
The Fly Fishing Season
The sunshine and friendly climate of Spain combined with the great variety of rivers allows for an almost year-round fly fishing experience that can be split into three distinct seasons:
Spring Fly Fishing in Spain
When: March to mid-May
Spring fishing splits into two seasons. The first half encompasses the months when mountain rivers remain closed to fishing, limiting activity to rivers in the foothills of the Pyrenees and those in mid-mountain areas. The second period marks the opening of the fishing season in mountain rivers, as it continues in the other rivers.
Early spring:
When: From March 1st until late April.
Where: During these months, the focus is on the mid-mountain rivers and in the foothills of the Catalan and Aragonese Pyrenees.
What to expect: These mid-mountain rivers and those in the plains of the Pyrenean foothills offer super opportunities to target large trout with dry flies. Although the number of trout caught is usually limited, this technical fishing can offer great surprises, as it is the time when large trout actively feed on the surface during the middle of the day. This is because:
• During these months, small baitfish or minnows are inactive, and trout are forced to seek insects as their food source rather than fish.
• In March and April, during the middle of the day, hatches of large mayflies such as March Browns or Baetis occur, and large trout do not miss the opportunity to feed on these insects in slower water areas.
Late spring:
When: From May 1st until late June.
Where: During May anglers can start fishing the mountain rivers and June sees the opening of fishing season in the high mountain rivers of the Aragon region.
What to expect: The fishing is excellent with good chances to catch medium and small trout on a dry fly in a stunning natural environment. There are good mayfly and caddisfly hatches, and the scarcity of tourists in the mountains makes it a lovely time to be here. The banks are adorned with alpine flowers, and you’ll find beautiful animals such as the lammergeier, chamois, and marmot. June also sees the start of barbel making their upstream migration for spawning and they can make for an entertaining diversion. Another opportunity is to try brook trout fishing in small mountain streams accessible by hiking.
View Peter Eaton’s April 2021 trip report here.
Summer Fly Fishing in Spain
When: Mid-May to October
What to expect: In July, mountain streams have good water flow and wild brown trout are very active. The temperature in the mountains is usually pleasant and life thrives above 1,500 metres. The snowmelt ends and the streams fill with terrestrial insects such as grasshoppers, stoneflies, and other large insects that serve as food for the trout.
The rivers and mountains see more tourists now and midday temperatures can be quite high, sometimes exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. We recommend mountain rivers located within lush forests away from tourist routes, and extending the fishing day until the last light when the trout are very active feeding on caddis on the surface. These moments can be spectacular, but the angler should be aware that they will return to the hotel quite late.
In September temperatures start to soften again and the tourists begin to disappear from the Pyrenees, especially in the last two weeks. Rivers usually retain good water flows from the storms that can blow in towards the end of the day at this time of year. The increase in water flows, water oxygenation, and the approach of autumn make the trout active both in mountain and plains rivers. Apart from trout fishing, fly fishing for barbel can be extremely entertaining. Hiking to remote mountain streams to target brook trout is also possible, this is particularly good in the first weeks of July and the last weeks of September.
Autumn Fly Fishing in Spain
When: October, November and December
What to expect: During October, November, and December, large trout prepare for spawning. Water temperature drops, and baitfish disappear. Large trout lose their fear, increase their aggressiveness and are active during the day. At this time of year, all the river trout are highly active as they need a large amount of food. The fishing is superb.
The temperature is generally very pleasant during October and the first three weeks of November. In October, fishing is permitted in high mountain rivers, mid-mountain rivers, and plains rivers of the Pyrenees foothills. In November and December, fishing is restricted to plains rivers.
Where to Stay
Our Spain fly fishing packages offer a range of accommodation options to cover a range of budgets whether you are looking for an all-inclusive fishing lodge, Luxury lodges, comfortable hotels or simple self-catering guesthouses.
There are no fixed entry and exit days so trips can be tailored to any length and also devised around non-fishing activities too. We recommend at least three days fishing and one day exploring to really get a glimpse of this beautiful part of the world.
More Than Just Fishing
The Pyrenees is a wonderful place to go fly fishing, but their is so much more that makes this are special. Trips can be tailored to offer fishing parties a chance to explore the fishing, culture and fantastic food and wine this region has to offer. These trips also work well for combination groups where you have a mix of fishers and non-fishers.
Various day and half day trips can be arranged from hiking in the stunning National Park of Ordesa to sampling some of the regions best wines, or explore the beautiful Romanic monastries, castles and churches. For some, they may wish to sit back and enjoy a relaxing visit to a wellness spa.
2024 Season Rates
Graus Hotel (4*) based, half board:
3 nights / 2 days – E1,500 per person / E600 per person not fishing
4 nights / 3 days – E2,150 per person / E800 per person not fishing
5 nights / 4 days – E2,800 per person / E1,000 per person not fishing
6 nights / 5 days – E3,450 per person / E1,200 per person not fishing
7 nights / 6 days – E4,100 per person / E1,400 per person not fishing
Biescas Hotel (4*) based, full board:
3 nights / 2 days – E1,550 per person / E700 per person not fishing
4 nights / 3 days – E2,200 per person / E950 per person not fishing
5 nights / 4 days – E2,850 per person / E1,200 per person not fishing
6 nights / 5 days – E3,500 per person / E1,450 per person not fishing
7 nights / 6 days – E4,150 per person / E1,700 per person not fishing
Biescas Luxury lodge based, full board:
3 nights / 2 days – E1,870 per person fishing / E930 per person not fishing
4 nights / 3 days – E2,650 per person / E1,250 per person not fishing
5 nights / 4 days – E3,430 per person / E1,580 per person not fishing
6 nights / 5 days – E4,200 per person / E1,900 per person not fishing
7 nights / 6 days – E4,970 per person / E2,230 per person not fishing
For more information about fly fishing in Spain please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.