Guideline European sale rep Christopher Rownes hooked up with GL ambassador and friend Javier Pena in Madrid, Spain with a plan to catch babel on a dry fly! Chris had heard stories of catching these fish on ant patterns on the surface and of epic fights in the sunshine, so it had to be tried.
Words by Chris Rownes, images by Alvaro G Santillian.
Heading for the waters edge.
We made our way to the Rio Tajo and a reservoir in Extremadura. Fishing for barbel is super visual, in some instances requiring techniques more akin to bonefish and put up a great fight. Previously ignored by game anglers as a coarse fish, with the right techniques they offer spectacular sport on a dry fly. It is possible to fish for barbel with the dry fly for ten months of the year, so a great alternative. Although the best seasons are between April and early July, and September until November, babel fishing peaks in October.
Goodiebox of terrestrials in different forms.
This is a very rural Spanish experience, no fancy food or bars, local home-style cooking in the company of very friendly Spanish people. The most remarkable aspect of fishing for the barbel in Spain is that they are caught exclusively on dry flies! It seems impossible to imagine that a fish that normally feeds on the bottom can be persuaded to feed on the top, but, in the environment in which they live, they have become accomplished surface feeders.
Barbel ready for release.
The lakes (Embalses) that are fished are right in the center of Spain and are basically hydro-power lakes. So, being fed by large rivers, these lakes have a good population of barbel. Being vast expanses of water and often deep, the barbel out of necessity tends to patrol the edges and feed opportunistically on ants, beetles, and other terrestrials.
Nice splash, mind rubbing my back also?
The outfits we used for the fish, which average around four pounds, where 9 foot #5 weight rods, teamed up with a floating line and single fly. The Elevation and Fario NT8 rods performed flawlessly and our lines of choice were the Power Presentation and Fario Elite WF lines.
Javier with a nice barbel on the dry.
The fly is only cast when a fish is spotted, often the fish can be seen “tailing” in the shallow water. These fish will readily rise to a well presented ant or beetle pattern put over their head. However, at times these bottom feeders may be fairly preoccupied by whatever they are feeding on so you sometimes need to ´plop´ the artificial fly on top of them. But too much noice when the fly lands and the barbel will disappear rapidly!
Look for tails in the shallow water near the shoreline.
The images from Guideline Power Team member Alvaro G Santillian say more than a thousand words. Spanish barbel present a great challenge on the fly and they are certainly worth their oft-called “European bonefish” title. The combination of great fishing, the warm climate, Spanish cuisine, and moderate travel prices make Spain a must.
Javier points out a tailing fish for Chris.
Words by Chris Rownes, images by Alvaro G Santillian.
Even the 9´9″ #6 is a good choice during days with more wind.
Full image gallery below, click first image to enter full screen mode.
