Fly Fishing in Madrid & Central Spain –
Guides, Permits, Equipment Rentals & Lodging
In central Spain, Pescatravel offers guided fly fishing outings from Madrid to fish the numerous trout rivers in the Community of Madrid and the provinces of Guadalajara, Salamanca and Avila. From Madrid we are with in striking distance for a one day outing on a number of rivers.
One of the best rivers in this region is the Tormes whose waters are home to excellent populations of native brown trout. In its upper reaches in Avila, the Tormes is a classic freestone river with fast running crystal clear water cascading over boulders, bedrock and gravel with alternating large pools, runs and riffles. Farther down river, in the province of Salamanca, the river’s flows are controlled by the Santa Teresa Dam. Here the Tormes is transformed into a wide dark bottomed river with large flats where the average size of the trout is around 14 to 16 inches with many larger fish present. It is perhaps one of the best rivers in Spain for large trout on a fly. Another interesting option that this river offers is the possibility of fishing for large taimen or huchen on streamers. These fish were introduced in 1968 are stocked regularly in the Villagonzalo 1 beat.
Other options for day outings from Madrid include the Tajo, the Gallo or the Sartenilla River in Guadalajara and the Jucar and Cabriel Rivers in Cuenca. The Tajo in particular is one of Spain’s iconic fly fishing rivers with water that runs so clear that a times the trout seem as if they were suspended in the air. The upper sections of the river run through some of the most scenic country in Spain, with hill sides forested with pine trees and high bluffs overlooking the river. In the Community of Madrid itself, we also offer options to fish the beautiful Lozoya River which is just a bit over an hour away from the city by road. In is upper stretches, it is a small mountain river surrounded by pine trees. Here smaller wild trout rise freely to take dry flies throughout the season. We also offer outings to a several rivers within an hour half of the city stocked with brown trout or rainbow trout.
All outings are with expert local guides, some of whom have competed on the Spanish national fly fishing team and most of whom speak English. Should you need lodging and other travel services, our partner agency, PressTour Viajes is a full service travel agency and will provide for all of your travel needs. We take the fuss and hassle out of making your fishing trip happen by providing for fishing permits and license acquisition, rental gear, all flies and accessories, pack lunches and all transfers. All you have to do is tell us where and when to pick you up.
For trout in the majority of rivers we fish, we recommend a 3 to 5 weight rod with a floating line. Leaders will generally run from 12 to 20 feet tapering down 5x, 6x and 7x depending on the waters fished and the flies to be used.
Recommended flies are quite varied. They include sedge imitations in different colors in hook sizes from 12 to 18, Imitations of a number of efemera including blue winged olives, march browns and others in hook sizes from 12 to 24, various stone fly imitations, midges in sizes from 18 to 24, terrestrials including ants, beetles and grasshoppers. Recommended nymphs include imitations in nymph or larval form of all the above mentioned flies.
Fly Fishing Locations in Madrid & Central Spain: We fish rivers in the communities of Madrid, Ávila, Salamanca and Guadalajara.
Trout Season in Madrid & Central Spain: 3 April – 15 October depending on the river and type of water
Best dates to fish for trout in Madrid & Central Spain: May – June, September – October depending on the river
Nº of rods permitted: N/A
Methods permitted: Fly
Species available: brown trout