Fly Fishing in Spain – Pyrenees
Fly fishing holidays and guided trips to pristine mountain rivers and lakes in Spain.
Fly fishing in Spain is concentrated in three areas: Leon, Picos de Europa, and the Pyrenees. The best option to fish for wild trout is in the Pyrenees. Ernest Hemingway in his novel “The Sun Also Rises” enjoyed fishing in these northern Spain mountains.
Our company of fly fishing guides in Spain is located on the sunny side of the Pyrenees. Surrounded by the best rivers, lakes, and streams for fly fishing in Spain. These rivers and mountains are one of the best protected natural paradises in the country.
The wild zebra trout, endemic to the Mediterranean region, is our beautiful and most well preserved treasure. Our guests will also have the opportunity to fish brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and barbel, mostly fishing with dry fly.
Pyrenees Fly Fishing is company run by certified guides in the Spanish Pyrenees that offers fly fishing holidays and adventures as well as a variety of activities for travel companions.
Ricardo and Adrián are the coordinators and guides. Passionate anglers and lovers of the traditional way of life of the Pyrenees, they will do their best to offer you an unforgettable vacation.
Who has not dreamt of fly fishing in sunny weather, surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery? Add in excellent local gastronomy and unique local wines for the best possible fly fishing experience!
Welcome to the Pyrenees, the fly fishing paradise in northern Spain!
Guest Review
“I am a passionate fly fisher and have fished all over the world for a variety of species. My day in the Pyrenees ranks among one of the most memorable. I highly recommend everyone make this a part of their Spanish vacation. The scenery is surreal – one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, the fishing is fantastic – it was a dream of mine to catch native Spanish brown trout and they are some of the most beautiful fish on the planet, and Adrian and Ricardo are two of the most thoughtful and knowledgable guides I have ever met. Thank you for an amazing experience, I will be back! “ Will Travis_Texas (19/6/2016)
The experience and satisfaction of our customer:
Paul Jansen
07/05/2023
What an amazing trip with Adrian including incredible scenery. Four days of fishing catching around 80 fish. His knowledge and expertise enabled me to significantly improve all aspects of my fly fishing. I could not have enjoyed my trip anymore. Thank you Adrian maybe Cuba, Patagonia or Mongolia next !!!!
Zac Carpman
06/04/2023
Wow, what a day! Adrián era increíble! If you are in the Pyrenees of Spain, book a trip. It was perfect. The lunch was incredible, the rivers were amazing, and the fishing was unreal. Adrián really cares and you can tell. He is passionate about his craft and I wouldn’t have changed on thing. If you’re are thinking of fishing, GO! I can’t say anything else, it was the best day of our trip.
Greg Laco
06/04/2023
My wife and I had a wonderful time fishing with Adrian of Pyrenees Fly Fishing! It was early in the season in Alfarras, so it took a while for the fish to get active as the water warmed throughout the day. Adrian offered his arm to help my wife wade safely and was able to spot many trout. At lunchtime he served us a two course meal with wine! Pyrenees Fly Fishing also provided waders and fly rods for us. After lunch we found some trout that were feeding, and after trying many different flies, I was able to hook and land a true trophy brown trout. It was an unforgettable experience!
David Shafer
28/03/2023
I always wanted to fish the Pyrenees in Spain on the fly, so I went out last September and got in touch with Adrian at Pyrenees fishing (by the way, they replied quickly to my inquiries) and man, what an amazing experience it was! I have fished with many guides before, as I live in Redding, CA. on the beautiful Sacramento River, but going out with Adrian was a completely different and unexpected surprise. Pyrenees Flyfishing booked a few nights for me at a gorgeous hotel tucked away in the mountains with a spacious room and comfortable bed. The hotel also has one of the only restaurants in town on the bottom floor and the food was delicious! Adrian picked me up each morning to fish and stayed one step behind me the entire time, making sure to clip bushes, tie my leader and flies, clear the path, tell me where to cast, net fish, etc. His attention to his clients in unsurpassed in the guiding world!! And when it was time for lunch, it wasn’t some pull over and eat a sandwich kind of thing. Adrian busted out a table and cook set, and cooked a three course meal on the river with wine, coffee and dessert. Amazing! And I don’t want to spoil the trip, but the towns, castles, rivers, old farm houses, etc. add so much to the trip and to top it off, big browns and zebras hitting dry-dropper patterns…this is the place to go if you love fishing! And did I mention the guide? Adrian is hands down the best guide I’ve ever fished with! I will return each year as long as I’m able and look forward to exploring new destinations with him and his associates.Thank you Adrian for such an amazing trip. I will see you soon.
alison philbin
09/12/2022
Bucket list fly fishing trip! We booked this for our 20th anniversary. 2 days with Adrian. The setting in the Pyrenees was breathtaking. The unique Zebra trout had incredible markings. The field lunches were impressive and delicious. We hope to come back some day. Thank you for going above and beyond to make our adventure awesome.
Steve La Falce
15/07/2022
What a treat is waiting for you, Mr. Flyfisherman, when you can come to Spain and fish the astonishingly beautiful Pyrenees with Alberto or Adrian!
My wife and I had the time of our lives, she hiking, sightseeing and horseback riding, me fishing.
And what wonderful fishing! Catching gorgeous Spanish brown trout from icy crystalline waters in spectacular scenery, enjoying gourmet streamside lunches, and testing your skill against the trout in the gin clear streams; these are the things you can look forward to enjoying.
Did I mention there are some monster browns here? Check the picture of an astonished me with the first of two big browns Adrian got me into on my second day.
What a place, what scenery, what people! What trout!! Don’t miss it!
Paul Jenkins
16/06/2022
I have recently returned from a 3 day trip with Pyrennees Fly Fishing and I can unreservedly say it was one of the very best fishing trips I have been on. An incredible and memorable trip. My guide was Adrian who is utterly charming and a wonderful man. He is desperate to get you into fish and incredibly patient, and with an endless supply of flies! Not only does he know the rivers like the back of his hand, but will tell you the exact spot to cast to where the fish are lying. I have experienced many fishing guides across the globe and he is right up there as one of the top ones.
He varied the trip to ensure I experienced the range of fishing conditions. The first day was spent high up in the Pyrenness above the tree line with stunning scenery that stops you in your tracks. It is a magical place and while the fish are smaller, there are plenty of them (30+ in a day) but concentration is needed for the precise casting within the small river and lightening quick reactions. Tremendous and uplifting fun. Lunch comprises a 3 course meal served at table and chairs high up in the mountains with wine and coffee - what a wonderful and unique location.
The larger rivers are tumbling fast water through canyons and gorges with more mesmerising scenery and the pools fished with dry fly and nymph dropper. In search of the big trout (50+ cm) we fished the lower rivers on the plains. Different topography and slower water but equally as satisfying. He took me to his secret spots well off the beaten track and got me into several monster fish. Several were lost through my errors before landing a lovely 5-6lb wild brown.
All in all, I could not recommend Pyrennes Fly Fishing more for anyone looking for an overall holistic fishing experience rather than simply trying to catch the biggest fish. I loved every minute of it and will definitely be coming back.
ellen strempek
11/06/2022
For many Americans - fly fishing in the Pyrenees is linked to Ernest Hemingway’s writing about his wonderful experiences in Spain. But even Papa H. would have been impressed with our three-day fishing adventure with the Pyrenees Fly Fishing outfitters - and our guide, Adrian. Punctual, professional and personable - he brought us into the mountains where we fished in pristine streams for zebra and brown trout. It’s always great to hook into a lot of trout, but our trip encompassed so much more than fishing. Adrian has local permits that allowed us to venture into mountain valleys filled with wildflowers and snow-capped peaks. He shared information about the history and culture of his region as well as provided delicious sit down lunches! But of course fishing was what we came for and Adrian knew where and how to put us onto fish! He provided technical advice for presentation of the fly and how to read the waters. He was patient and supportive, even when we lost a few! We traveled to five different venues - each unique and ended up on a river with the opportunity to fish for barbel, a local fish who like to fight! My husband hooked into several and Adrian expertly netted the big fish. We were completely satisfied with our experience. Our lodging (self-catering) guesthouse in the lovely village of Biescas was great and so were the meals that Ricardo, Adrian’s business partner reserved for us in local restaurants. We felt very lucky to have had this amazing experience in the Spanish Pyrenees. On their website, it states that, “Adrian and Ricardo are passionate anglers and lovers of the traditional way of life in the Pyrenees and will do their best to offer their guests an unforgettable vacation.” They do just that. Papa H. would have approved.
Gaston Matthyssens
07/06/2022
My son and I went fly fishing for 2.5 days in restricted areas close to the Ordesa National Park at the start of the season (June 1). This was the first time we took an organized trip and it was a big success mainly due to our guide and fly fishing expert Adrian.We fished small mountain streams unique for dry fly fishing surrounded by beautiful scenery, many wild mountain plants unique for the Pyrenees in full bloom.
After a full day of fishing we relaxed at a luxurious lodge in the village of Lárrede which served delicious meals.
Adrian is a very experienced and knowledgeable fisherman who learned us a lot about tactics to catch wild trout and helping us climb amazing mountain streams. Adrian has fished all over the world and was very keen in sharing that amazing experience with us.
Pyrenees Fly Fishing is therefore highly recommendable for both experienced and not so experienced fishermen.
Steve Merlino
05/06/2022
Went out fishing with Adrian for a day trip (June ‘22). It ended up being one I’ll never forget. Some of the prettiest places you’ll fish anywhere and all wild trout, no stocked fish.
He’s got a pretty in depth knowledge of the sport and is well traveled but more importantly he’ll be able to navigate the fairly complex Spanish licensing and access.
Out Guided Spain Fly Fishing Trips:
Some of the tours that we offer in Spain.
SPANISH PYRENEES
Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Headquarters in Biescas/Graus, perfect location. Fish in the most wild and exclusive rivers in Spain.
TOUR PYRENEES
Guided Fly Fishing Trip
A trip from east to west fishing in the best spots of the Pyrenees.
HELICOPTER FLY FISHING
Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Fish were others can’t reach. Impressive journey to high mountain lakes or streams with no effort.
Tipology of rivers depending on time of year
The sunshine and friendly climate of Spain together with the great variety of sceneries allows us to offer a wide fly fishing season in the Pyrenees. Fishing possibilities vary depending on the time of year:
- March, April and first half of May: Mountain rivers remain covered by snow and fishing is not allowed. In these months we fish medium mountain rivers in which there is the possibility of capturing trophy trout.
- The second half of May to the end of October: It is time to fish in high mountain streams and lakes. We will also enjoy medium mountain river fishing.
- November and December: These are the best months for trophy zone river fishing. Fishing is not allowed in the rest of the rivers.
Spain, a fly fishing paradise
Many anglers first heard about trout fishing in Spain thanks to Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.
But not all anglers know that in the north of Spain, in the Pyrenees, there are some of the best fly fishing rivers in the world. The fishing is as good as in Patagonia, but nobody knows it.
Spain is the dream destination for anglers and their companions, for the following reasons:
- Happy non anglers: the companions will be able to enjoy excellent gastronomy, culture, history, monuments, excellent wines, National Parks… Our company offers private tours for non anglers, ask us for information.
- Friendly climate: Spain is the country of sun and good weather. Good fishing with good weather tastes much better. Good weather allows us to fish with dry flies all year round.
- Excellent communications, very good health care and safe country: Spain is considered one of the safest countries in the world. In addition, we have 2 of the largest airports in Europe (Madrid and Barcelona), with excellent communications with AVE fast train. Finally, when choosing a fishing trip, it is also very important to value the good health care of the country.
- Zebra Trout: in the rivers of the Pyrenees you can fish a variety of brown trout called Zebra Trout. This trout survived the last ice age and is considered the oldest evolutionary brown trout on the European continent.
- Variety of species: in addition, anglers can enjoy fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, brooke trout and barbel (known as freshwater bonefish).
- 365 days / year of dry fly fishing: the abundance of insects throughout the year allows us to fish with dry fly every day of the season.
- Variety of rivers in close proximity to each other: from each of our operation centers we can fish more than 12 rivers and their tributaries.
- Mountain lakes and heli-fishing: the perfect complement to a week of fishing in the Pyrenees is to be able to heli-fish in mountain lakes with crystal clear water located at an altitude of almost 9,000 ft
10 things you should know about fly fishing in Spain
We would like to let you know 10 things to keep in mind for your fly fishing trip to Spain:
- The best fly fishing rivers in Spain are found in its largest mountain range, the Pyrenees.
- In Spain the waters are public, but sometimes their accesses cross private land. To cross these lands you must have the authorization of the owner.
- To fish in Spain you need a fishing license. Each region has its own fishing license.
- In addition to a fishing license, a special daily permit is required on certain stretches of river. These permits are called fishing preserves.
- The fishing season in Spain varies depending on the region. In Aragon, we can fish from March 1st to October 31st. Some stretches of river can be fished all year round.
- Spain is home to the best preserved wild trout populations in the whole European continent. It is worth mentioning the existence of the variety of brown trout called Zebra Trout, which inhabits some rivers of the Mediterranean arc.
- The best months for fly fishing in Spain vary depending on the fishing area. In the Pyrenees we have both flat and mountain rivers to offer excellent fishing from March to December.
- The recommended equipment for fly fishing in Spain is 9 feet and #4-5 line.
- My preferred fly for fly fishing in Spain is the Parachute Adams.
- In Spain it is not possible to fish inside the National Parks, but it is possible to fish in the peripheral area.
Our operations centers in the North of Spain:
For the development of our fly fishing holidays in Spain we have two operations centers in the Spanish Pyrenees.
