FLY FISHING IN SPAIN

Fly fishing in Spain covers a remarkable range of water types. In the high Pyrenees, you are fishing fast, boulder-strewn freestone streams at elevations up to 7,500 feet. The water is cold and clear, the trout are wild, and a well-placed dry fly is usually the most effective approach. These mountain rivers hold native zebra trout — a genetically distinct strain endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, with lineage stretching back before the last ice age. They are not large, typically 8 to 14 inches, but they are strikingly beautiful and eagerly take dry flies in the riffles and pocket water.

Drop down to the valley floors and the character changes completely. Wider, slower rivers with gravel runs and long glides hold brown trout that push into the 18- to 22-inch range on well-managed catch-and-release stretches. Nymphing is productive here, but the real thrill comes during the prolific hatches that Spain’s warm, dry climate supports. BWOs appear as early as March. By May, the evening caddis hatches can blanket the surface, and trout feed with the kind of reckless confidence you rarely see on more pressured European rivers.

Then there are the barbel. Iberian barbel are genuinely special — powerful, spooky fish that feed on gravel flats in water sometimes only a foot deep. Sight-casting to a tailing barbel with a small nymph or even a dry fly is as technical and exciting as bonefishing, and they fight harder than any trout of the same size. April and May are the prime months for barbel, when spawning activity brings big fish into shallow water where you can stalk them on foot.

A typical day starts early with a riverside breakfast, followed by a morning session on the water. Lunch is usually a leisurely affair — a bocadillo and cold beer in the shade of an alder tree. The afternoon and evening sessions often produce the best dry fly fishing as hatches intensify. Your guide will move you between beats and water types throughout the day to match the conditions and keep things interesting.

We use a mix of fly fishing lodges, traditional country inns, and hospederías — historic guesthouses often converted from old monasteries or manor houses. The standard is comfortable and characterful rather than flashy. Think stone walls, wood beams, good beds, and hot showers after a long day on the river. Most properties are family-run, and the hospitality is genuinely warm.

Spanish food is a highlight of any trip, and the regions we fish are no exception. In the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains, expect hearty mountain cuisine: slow-cooked lamb, cured ham, local cheeses, roasted peppers, and fresh bread. In Gredos and central Spain, the cooking leans Castilian — roast suckling pig, bean stews, and grilled meats. Every meal comes with good local wine, because this is Spain and wine is simply part of the culture.

Breakfast is typically generous — eggs, cured meats, toast with tomato, fresh fruit, and strong coffee. On fishing days, your guide will pack a riverside lunch so you do not lose time driving back to the lodge. Dinners are the social heart of the trip: multi-course affairs where you swap stories from the day over a bottle of Rioja or Ribera del Duero. We can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice — vegetarian, gluten-free, and other needs are handled without fuss.

For anglers who want something more rugged, we also offer backcountry camping options on some Pyrenean itineraries, sleeping under the stars beside the rivers you will fish the next morning. These trips are physically more demanding but offer an experience you simply cannot get any other way.

Most of our fly fishing trips in Spain begin with a flight into Madrid or Barcelona. Both airports are major international hubs with direct connections from across Europe, North America, and beyond. From either city, Spain’s excellent AVE high-speed rail network gets you into the northern regions quickly and comfortably — Madrid to the edge of the Pyrenees takes around three hours by train, and Barcelona is even closer to the eastern Pyrenean rivers.

For the Picos de Europa and Cantabrian trips, Bilbao and Santander airports are useful alternatives with good connections from UK and European cities. The Basque Country is a short drive from there. Asturias also has a regional airport at Oviedo with seasonal routes.

We arrange all transfers from your arrival point to the fishing base. Depending on the region, this is typically a 1 to 2.5 hour drive from the nearest airport or train station. Our drivers know the mountain roads well, and the journey itself is part of the experience — the landscapes between the cities and the rivers are genuinely spectacular. If you prefer to hire a car and drive yourself, we can provide detailed directions and GPS waypoints for every lodge and river access point.

EU citizens do not need a visa. UK, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days. We recommend travel insurance that covers outdoor sporting activities, though fly fishing is low-risk by any measure.

For trout fishing in the Pyrenees and northern Spain, a 9-foot rod in a #4 or #5 weight is the workhorse setup. A #4 is ideal for the smaller mountain streams where delicacy matters; a #5 gives you more versatility on the bigger valley rivers and handles wind better. If you also plan to target barbel, the #5 is the better all-round choice — barbel pull hard and you will want the extra backbone. Bring floating line and a selection of leaders from 4X to 6X.

Fly selection is straightforward. A Parachute Adams in sizes 14 to 18 will cover a huge range of situations — it is arguably the single most useful dry fly pattern for Spanish rivers. Beyond that, pack CDC caddis patterns, Elk Hair Caddis, small Stimulators, and a few terrestrial patterns (ants, beetles, hoppers) for the summer months. For nymphing, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Perdigon-style nymphs in sizes 14 to 18 are the staples. Spanish guides love the Perdigon — it was developed in competition fishing circles in this part of Europe and it is devastatingly effective in the fast pocket water.

Clothing-wise, think layers. Mountain mornings can be cool even in summer, while afternoons in the valleys get properly warm. A good wading jacket, quick-dry trousers, and a fleece or lightweight down layer will see you through most conditions. Breathable chest waders are ideal for the Pyrenees and Picos; in Gredos and the warmer lowland rivers, wet wading in shorts and wading boots is perfectly comfortable from June through September. Polarised sunglasses are essential — for sight-fishing barbel they are non-negotiable.

If you would rather not travel with tackle, we have quality rods, reels, and a full fly selection available at each base. Just let us know when you book and we will have everything ready for you.

Spain is one of the easiest fly fishing destinations to sell to a non-fishing partner. The regions we fish are rich in culture, food, wine, and natural beauty — there is genuinely plenty to do even if you never pick up a rod.

Wine is the obvious draw. The Pyrenean foothills border some of Spain’s finest wine regions, including Somontano and the Basque txakoli coast. Rioja and Ribera del Duero are within easy reach of our northern and central bases. We can arrange private wine tours, cellar visits, and tastings as a half-day or full-day excursion. The food scene across northern Spain is outstanding — from Michelin-starred restaurants in the Basque Country to tiny family-run asadores serving wood-fired lamb in mountain villages.

Hiking is spectacular in every region we operate. The Pyrenees and Picos de Europa are home to some of the best walking trails in Europe, with well-marked routes through National Parks, past waterfalls, and up to alpine lakes. These are not gentle strolls — but they are not technical mountaineering either. Most are manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness and good boots. For something gentler, the valleys offer easy riverside walks through medieval villages, past Romanesque churches, and across ancient stone bridges.

Cultural excursions are another strong option. Northern Spain is packed with history: the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route passes through several of our fishing regions, and there are UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval castles, and monasteries within a short drive of every base. In Gredos, the walled city of Ávila is just an hour away. We can also arrange wellness activities — yoga, spa sessions, and kayaking on the calmer stretches of river — for partners who want to relax rather than sightsee.