Fishing for Spanish Barbel by Andy Lush

A break from my usual fishing haunts saw a group of my friends and I journey to Spain for a spot of fly fishing ‘on the wild side’.

For most fly anglers a fishing holiday consists of targeting species such as trout and salmon in Scotland, Ireland or Wales, for the more adventurous maybe sea bass around our coast during the summer or if your pockets are deep enough possibly a trip after bonefish and tarpon as a winter break to the Caribbean.

Our target species was the Iberian Barbel christened ‘red ghost’ by Spanish fly fisherman, their sleek muscular appearance coupled with long powerful runs and a reluctance to submit to heavy pressure has seen them compared to the bonefish, the ‘silver ghost’.

There are several species of barbel in Spain and Portugal some reaching sizes in excess of 30lbs, although they appear similar at a glance to our own species they differ in several ways firstly their appetite for eating fish but more significantly their ability to take dry flies!

We fished a large reservoir sometimes from a boat but more often stalking the banks searching for cruising fish in the margins, the need to sight fish is essential, once spotted an accurate cast delivering a grasshopper or other dry fly produced fish between 2-6lb.

For those who prefer not to fly fish the barbel are regularly caught on live and deadbaits and lures! In fact the reservoir has a lot of appeal to lure anglers, its crystal clear water makes it a fantastic location to visit and fish for largemouth bass, pike and of course barbel, casting surface plugs towards the shoreline produces explosive strikes from bass and sometimes barbel, trolling plugs is the most productive method for producing specimen pike and again the occasional large barbel, spoons, spinners and soft plastics cast towards rocky structures is the number one method for bass.

My favourite time to visit is during May and June before it’s too hot I have also visited in the autumn when again it’s very comfortable weather wise.

Tackle to take?
Fly fishing simply requires a 9’to10’ #6 or #7 weight rod coupled with a suitable floating line, 8lb Fluorocarbon and a selection of dry Daddies and Grasshoppers plus a variety of weighted nymphs.

For lure fishing, take a 10-30g fixed spool outfit loaded with 15lb braid and a selection of small surface lures, some small 2” to 4” shallow diving plugs and a few soft plastic shads and creatures, Lee has plenty of tackle to hire including lures so its possible to rely on his tackle.

How to get there and where to stay?

We flew to Madrid where we were met by Lee Parks our host from ‘Spanish Safaris’, Lee is a very experienced fisherman who will guide you on this huge venue. Our transfer took about 3 hours; our accommodation is in a small town overlooking the reservoir which is located in the heart of a national park.

I hope this has whetted your appetite, maybe I’ll see you there?

Tight lines,

Andy Lush