Alright, let me tell you about this little obsession of mine—fly fishing in northern Spain. It all started years ago when I hooked my first wild trout in the Picos de Europa, and well, I never quite shook the bug. Funny story—that fish was no bigger than my hand, but it fought like it had something to prove. That’s the thing about these mountain streams; the trout might be small, but they’ve got attitude.

Now, the Douro trout? Different beast entirely. They’re not the biggest in the family, but boy do they fight dirty. You’ll find them in those rocky seams where the current slows just enough—present your fly wrong, and they’ll ignore it like a snooty waiter. Get it right, though? Oh, you’ll know.

Here’s the thing about fishing here: it’s all about the snowmelt. When it starts coming down in spring, these streams turn into champagne for trout. That’s when the reos—sea trout to most folks—start moving upriver. They’re sort of... well, imagine a trout that decided to bulk up at the gym. Silvery, strong, and with a temper to match.

We’ve got four wild trout species here, and each has its quirks. The Mediterranean strain—no, wait, technically it’s the Atlantic lineage—has these distinctive red spots, like someone flicked paint at ‘em. And the reos? They’re the nomads, in and out with the tides.

I’ve been chasing these fish for 25 years now, competitively at first (seven international titles, if you’re counting), but these days? It’s about the quiet moments. That bend in the Río Cares where the light hits just right in May, or the way the trout rise like clockwork in the Deva’s evening hatches.

Oh, and pack a lunch. There’s this family-run panadería near Potes—their empanadas use paprika from La Vera, of all places. Doesn’t help you catch fish, but trust me, it matters.
If you can swing a week in May, let’s chase those trophy fish together. The Picos don’t give up their secrets easy, but I’ll show you the seams, the undercuts, the spots where the big ones hide. Just don’t blame me if you end up as hooked as I am.
—Oscar