10 Best Fly Fishing Rivers in the Pyrenees
On the sunny side of the Pyrenees, you'll find the best fly-fishing rivers in Spain. Here are the top 10 rivers
To fish the best rivers in the Pyrenees, a fishing guide is absolutely necessary. From our experience, these are the best rivers for fly fishing in the Pyrenees:
1 –ARA RIVER🥇
Description: The Ara River, located in the province of Huesca, flows on the southern slope of the Pyrenees in Aragón, Spain. Its course originates on the southern flank of the Viñamala massif, very close to the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. Receiving contributions from tributaries such as the Ordiso and Arazas rivers, it stands out for its flow, especially during the spring thaw. It flows into the Cinca River in Aínsa after covering approximately 70 kilometers. The Ara is distinguished by its turquoise waters, stunning beauty, and the presence of naturally fed beautiful trout. It is a completely wild river, as there are no reservoirs along its course.
Species: Marble trout, barbel, and chub.
Fishing season: March to October.
Best months: June, July, and October.
Fishing license: Aragón Fishing License.
Best fishing spots: Boltaña and Fiscal.
Size of catches: Medium and small-sized trout. Barbel and chub can reach significant sizes.
Most effective technique: Dry fly and dropper fly fishing.
In favor
- It is a river of great beauty located next to the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
- 100% wild zebra trout fishing is available.
- There is the opportunity to catch other species in its lower course, such as barbel and chub.
- Fishing is allowed until October 31.
- Dry fly fishing is highly effective in the Ara River.
against
- It is a river with challenging access and restricted areas. The role of a guide is crucial.
- Not all sections have the same fish density, leading to uneven distribution.
- In the early months of the season, trout show little activity. They are 100% wild trout. In August, certain locations may experience high tourist traffic.
- Processing fishing permits is impossible for a foreign angler; these must be handled by a guide company.
Destination Raking:
9,2
2 – GÁLLEGO RIVER
Description: The Gállego River is a significant tributary of the Ebro River in Aragón, with a length of 193.2 km, of which less than half are inhabited by trout. Its name comes from the Latin “Gallicus,” related to Gaul. It originates at Col d’Aneu, flowing through the Tena Valley and receiving tributaries such as Aguas Limpias and Caldarés. This river offers numerous fishing opportunities, both in the main course and its tributaries.
In the upper part of the river, in the Pyrenees, it harbors excellent trout populations, especially in its tributary rivers. However, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the river’s behavior in its middle course, around Oliván, as it is regulated by hydroelectric power stations and undergoes abrupt changes in flow.
Species in the upper part of the river (in the Pyrenees): zebra trout.
Fishing season: March to October.
Best months: June to October.
Fishing license: Aragón Fishing License.
Best fishing spots: Oliván.
Size of catches: medium to small.
Most effective technique: Nymph fishing is very effective in the main river in its middle course, while dry fly fishing is highly effective in the upper part and tributaries.
In favor
- It is a river with many kilometers and a wide variety of landscapes.
- It experiences very little fishing pressure.
- The fishing season extends until October 31, providing a long season.
against
- It is essential to be aware of the water release schedules for electricity production to avoid exposing oneself to potential dangers. Some sections of the river have challenging access, and the entry to the best tributary rivers is in private areas, requiring the company of a fishing guide. Processing fishing permits is impossible for a foreign angler; these procedures must be handled by a guide company.
Destination Raking:
9,2
3 – VERAL RIVER
Description: The Veral River, a tributary of the Aragón in the province of Huesca, originates in Zuriza within the Natural Park of the Western Valleys and collects the waters of the Petretxema ravine from Linza. It flows along the Ansó Valley until it reaches Villarreal de la Canal, where it meets the Aragón River. Its course has been shaped by erosion in limestone terrain, leading to the formation of the Biniés Gorge.
It is a highly appealing river for dry fly fishing, featuring beautiful pools where sight fishing is possible. The trout inhabiting this river are 100% wild zebra trout. However, the river is affected by climate change, experiencing increasingly dry and prolonged summers.
Species: Wild zebra trout and, in the lower course, barbel.
Fishing season: March to October.
Best months: June, July, and October.
Fishing license: Aragón Fishing License.
Best fishing spots: Lower Ansó.
Size of catches: Small to medium.
Most effective technique: Dry fly fishing.
In favor
- It is a very beautiful river and well-suited for dry fly fishing.
- It experiences low fishing pressure and has an extensive season, allowing fishing until October 31.
- Situated in an authentic area, it features well-preserved traditional villages with low tourist pressure.
against
- The river suffers significantly from droughts during the summer months.
- In the early months of the season, trout remain inactive as they are wild trout.
- Some villages, like Ansó, still lack a functioning sewage treatment plant.
- Processing fishing permits is impossible for a foreign angler as these must be managed by a guide company.
Destination Raking:
9,2
4 – ÉSERA RIVER
Description: The Ésera River is a tributary of the Cinca in the province of Huesca and is part of the Ebro basin. Its source lies on the north face of the Maladeta massif, fed by the Aneto glacier melt and high rainfall in its headwaters. The area between Plan de Turpí and Castejón de Sos in its upper course is protected as a special conservation zone, serving as an example of a well-preserved Pyrenean ecosystem. It traverses the Posets Maladeta Natural Park and hosts a prominent population of wild zebra trout from its source to its confluence with the Cinca River.
The upper part of the river is excellent for dry fly fishing, while the middle and lower course are regulated for electricity generation, making it an outstanding location for trophy trout fishing. It is crucial to be informed about water release schedules in this river, as it can pose potential dangers.
Species: Zebra trout and barbel.
Fishing season: March to October.
Best months: May to October.
Fishing license: Aragón Fishing License.
Best fishing spots: Congosto del Ventamillo and Campo.
Size of catches: Varies depending on the river section. In the lower part, it is possible to catch trophy trout.
Most effective technique: All.
In favor
- It is a very beautiful river, located in a Natural Park, with a wide variety of landscapes.
- It exclusively hosts 100% wild trout.
- Experiencing low fishing pressure, it allows fishing until October 21.
against
- The middle-lower part can pose dangers due to water releases.
- Processing fishing permits is impossible for a foreign angler, as these must be managed by a guide company.
Destination Raking:
9,2
5 – NOGUERA RIBAGORZANA RIVER
Description: The Noguera Ribagorzana is a Pyrenean river that flows from north to south and is a right tributary of the Segre, belonging to the Ebro River basin. It originates in the headwaters of the Barravés Valley on the southern slope of the Pyrenees and flows into the Segre in Corbins. Along its 130 km course, it serves as a natural border between Catalonia and Aragon. The river is dammed by several reservoirs, such as Baserca, Escales, Canelles, and Santa Anna, used for both hydroelectric power generation and supplying water channels in Catalonia and Aragon.
The Noguera Ribagorzana has strong populations of wild trout in its middle and upper courses. Additionally, in the lower part, there is an intensive fishing area that allows year-round fishing, renowned for the impressive size of its trout.
Species in the upper part of the river (in the Pyrenees): Zebra trout.
Fishing season: March to mid-October.
Best months: May to October.
Fishing license: Aragón and Catalonia Fishing Licenses.
Best fishing spot: NR-01b – Alta Ribagorça sense mort
Size of catches: Small to medium.
Most effective technique: Dry fly and dropper
In favor
- It is a river regulated for electricity generation, ensuring relatively uniform water flows throughout the year.
- It does not experience high fishing pressure.
against
- The regulations are confusing, especially given that it is a border area between Aragón and Catalonia.
- The road runs very close to the river along its entire course.
Destination Raking:
9,2
6 – GARONA RIVER
Description: The Garonne River originates in the Pyrenees, specifically in the Aran Valley in Spain, fed by mountain waters on the north face of the Pyrenees. As it traverses France, it increases in length and becomes navigable. In 2013, the river experienced a flood that resulted in a drastic decline in its trout populations. A decade after this event, the trout populations have recovered, although the river’s composition has undergone significant changes since then.
The trout inhabiting this river belong to the Atlantic brown species, as the rivers in this basin flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Species: Brown trout.
Fishing season: April to the end of September.
Best months: May to September.
Fishing license: Catalonia.
Best fishing spots: VA-00; NP-00, and NR-00.
Catch size: average.
Most effective technique: dry fly and dropper.
In favor
- It is located on the north face of the Pyrenees, which means it does not experience as much drought as other rivers on the south face.
- The trout, although at times can be quite technical, reach medium sizes.
- The high-mountain fishing season begins on May 1, in Aragon on June 1, and in the rest of Catalonia on May 15.
against
- Being very close to France, fishing pressure can be high at times.
- Some sections of the river can be dangerous due to water regulations for electricity generation.
Destination Raking:
9,2
7 – CINCA RIVER
Descriptión: The Cinca River originates in the Aragonese Pyrenees, very close to the Ordesa National Park, and flows towards the Segre River. During its course, it passes through places like Pineta, joins the Barrosa and Cinqueta rivers, and receives tributaries such as the Irués and Ésera. The river’s Pyrenean region is renowned for hosting populations of wild trout. The town of Aínsa stands out as a focal point from which one can enjoy fishing on this river.
Species: Zebra trout and barbel.
Fishing season: March to October.
Best months: May, June, July, September, and October.
Fishing license: Aragon fishing license.
Best fishing spots: Labuerda fishing reserve.
Catch size: varied.
Most effective technique: varied.
In favor
- It is a river that, during its journey through the Pyrenees, offers a variety of options and scenarios.
- There are river sections where it is possible to catch trophy trout at specific times of the year.
- Fishing takes place against the backdrop of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
- The river is close to some of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
against
- The river flow varies in certain areas due to electricity generation, which can be dangerous if the area is not well-known.
Destination Raking:
9,2
8 – NOGUERA PALLARESA RIVER
Description: The Noguera Pallaresa River, a tributary of the Segre in the province of Lleida, originates in Pla de Beret and initially flows northeast through the Alto Arán. It crosses Pallars Sobirá and Pallars Jussá, highlighting places such as Montgarri, Sort, and the Collegats gorge along its course. This river offers excellent opportunities for fly fishing amidst an incomparable landscape.
Imagine fishing in a small mountain river, surrounded by beautiful wild zebra trout, with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montgarri as a backdrop. Additionally, in its middle course, near the town of Sort, it is a favorable spot for catching medium-sized brown trout. All this without forgetting the stretch of intensive fishing near the town of La Guingueta d’Àneu.
Species: Brown trout.
Fishing season: March to mid-October.
Best months: May to mid-October.
Fishing license: Catalonia fishing license.
Best fishing spots: NP-02b (Intensiu la Guingueta d’Àneu without death) and NP-01b (Consorci Alt Pallars without death).
Catch size: varied depending on the locations.
Most effective technique: varied depending on the locations.
In favor
- The High Mountain fishing season starts in mid-May, earlier than in Aragon.
- It is possible to combine fishing in high mountain rivers with fishing in intensive and middle stretches, where large trout can be found, all within a close radius of action.
against
- The Catalan Pyrenees are gaining increasing popularity among French fishermen, leading to an increased fishing pressure in the area.
- The fishing season does not extend until October 31 as it does in Aragon.
Destination Raking:
9,2
9 – SEGRE RIVER
Description: The Segre River, approximately 265 km in length, originates in France, crosses the Cerdanya region, and enters Spain through Llivia. It flows mostly in a north-south direction and empties into the Ebro River at the Ribarroja reservoir. Notable tributaries include Nogueras, Ribagorzana, and Pallaresa. Fishing in the upper part, in the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees, is excellent. The river boasts a prominent population of brown trout, some of them sizable, especially in the Seu d’Urgell area. Another significant river for trout fishing is the Valira, a tributary that originates in Andorra.
Species: Brown trout.
Fishing season: March to mid-October.
Best months: March, May, June, July, and October.
Fishing license: Catalonia fishing license.
Best fishing spot: SE-01b
ZPC Name: Consorci Segre sense mort
Catch size: medium.
Most effective technique: all.
In favor
- It is a river located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, with moderate altitudes.
- The thaw tends to finish earlier than in other rivers.
- There are opportunities to catch medium and large-sized trout.
against
- It experiences some fishing pressure, which could affect catch opportunities.
- It does not boast the same scenic beauty as some other landscapes in the Pyrenees region.
Destination Raking:
9,2
10 – IRATI RIVER
Description: The Irati River, a tributary of the Aragón in Navarra, originates in the Selva de Irati and flows for 88 km, traversing breathtaking landscapes and forming reservoirs such as Irabia and Itoiz. With tributaries like Urrobi and Salazar, it is one of the most voluminous rivers in Navarra and plays an essential role in hydroelectric power generation, with the Irabia reservoir being a notable highlight. Thanks to his novel “The Sun Also Rises,” Ernest Hemingway internationalized rivers like the Irati and towns like Burguete. Hemingway found relaxation and enjoyment in this place, fishing for zebra trout and forming friendships with the owners of Hotel La Perla.
Species: Zebra trout.
Fishing season: from April 1 to August 31.
Best months: May, June, and July.
Fishing license: Navarra fishing license.
Catch size: small.
Most effective technique: dry fly and nymph.
In favor
- It is a river that holds a strong sentimental value for enthusiasts of Ernest Hemingway's legacy.
- It is a river of great beauty.
against
- Trout populations are not in great conservation status.
- The fishing season is very short, and the river faces numerous challenges during the dry summer months.
Destination Raking:
9,2