Fly fishing in the Pyrenees
Fishing in the heart of the Pyrenees in Spain, surrounded by mountains from 3000 to 3400m. The highest peak is Mount Aneto at 3404m. It belongs to La Maladeta massif. It is a unique and very well preserved place. This area of the Pyrenees is not exploited so it retains all its natural beauty. This area is surrounded by natural parks so the quality of the water and fish is guaranteed. In all the rivers and lakes, fishing is cacht and released. For this reason, the trouts are very abundant and very voracious. They attack the fly as if they had never seen one in their whole life.
The villages in the area are very beautiful and picturesque. Also, we must emphasize the local gastronomy. The most traditional are the grilled meats and the fresh products of the local gardens.
The first day we went fishing in a high mountain valley at an altitude of 2500 meters. One part we climb in an indestructible Russian car and the other part we walk up. Once in the fishing area we went up the rivers and waterfalls fishing. At the end we arrived at the lake from which the river originates and there we also fly fish. Both in the river and in the lake the bites were continuous. My friend’s son counted 63 trout all day long between two rods. It was a real wonder. On the other hand, this type of fishing requires a certain physical capacity since it is like a combination of hiking and fly fishing.
The second day was more relaxing. We fished a very wide valley with several rivers at an altitude of about 1500 meters. It is a flat area so it does not require much physical activity. The car can be parked right there so it is very comfortable. The river descends through the valley winding through the green meadows. On one side and on the other side there are imposing mountains. These rivers are also very productive and there are continuous bumps. The most appropriate flies in these areas are tricopters. In this area there is a small mountain hotel-restaurant where you can eat and rest to continue fishing in the afternoon. It is the perfect option to not do too much exercise.
The third day was about fishing in high mountain lakes where native trout abound. First you have to get to the lakes so the only option is to go hiking. It is not too hard but it requires a minimum of physical fitness. The feeling of arriving at a ravaged lake in the mountains with no people around is indescribable. You feel like an explorer who has discovered a hidden treasure. Best of all, that remote lake is full of trout so all you can do is fish. Fishing in the lake is a little different from the river but I love it. When the fly falls, the trout come closer like sharks until one of them appears by surprise and attacks the fly with violence. They may fight less than the river trout but they are also bigger.
After writing these brief words, I felt like going back there to fish. I hope that next June I will be able to enjoy again those natural places, those rivers, waterfalls, flowers and trout. Beautiful trout that hide in those mountains.
