10 night 9 Day Pyrenees Gastronomic Experience
THE FISHING
This unique multi destination trip allows guests the opportunity to enjoy the very best angling options and environments found within the Pyrenees Mountains. We’ve incorporated a wide variety of conditions and scenarios that can only be covered in an extended trip of this nature. We feel that this angling experience is one of those true once in a lifetime trips that most other trips, both past and present, will be measured against.
1. Santa Celia/Haca – The location of the lodge, which is situated on the bank of the Aragon River, in Santa Cilia de Jaca, allows anglers the flexibility to really dig deep into the angling opportunities found in this part of the Pyrenees. The lodge is very close to the confluence of two other main rivers at Puente La Reina, both of which flow from the nearby Hecho and Anso Valleys. This places the lodge in a spectacularly strategic location, right in the heart our area of operation for this, the largest fishable section of the Pyrenees. This area encompasses over 800 miles (1,000 Km) of rivers and 30 high mountain lakes inhabited by trout, all within in a 30-mile (50Km) radius of the lodge. This is principally a Brown Trout environment, with some Brook Trout in the higher elevation lakes.
2. Torla – The mountain town of Torla acts as a gateway to the Ordessa National Park. This incredible park is one of the most stunning environments we have ever fished and there are many highly productive streams and rivers within its borders that cater to all levels of fitness and angler skill. For the more adventurous, there are some fantastic canyons that can be hiked into, which offer excellent dry fly-fishing for the native Mediterranean Brown Trout. In this cold clear water these trout rarely exceed 15 inches but it is not uncommon to have a 40-60 fish days in this spectacular setting.
3. Aren – The warm summer months offer prolific insect hatches in this part of the Pyrenees Mountains and due to the water quality, guests fishing these months can expect an enormous variety of species while in the Aren area. The seven most important valleys for trout in the Eastern Pyrenees, in both Cataluna and Aragon, are all within a 1 hour radius by car from the Lodge. This allows for an enormous amount of flexibility in terms of where guests fish each day, as well as allowing the guides to tailor specific rivers, lakes and streams to optimize the angling experience, from June through September. One interest in particular is the large number of productive Ibons found around Aren. Ibon is a Pyrenees word for a high-mountain lake of glacial origin. Hidden in up in the high mountains 6500 Ft (2000 meters and above), these spectacular lakes are only accessible by trekking on foot for a couple of hours, or by helicopter charter. Brown Trout, Zebra Tout, Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout.
4. Deep Catalonia – This region of Catalonia has some really great rivers, offering a wide assortment of fly fishing opportunities. This part of Catalonia generally offers lower elevation rivers, which are slower moving and wider than those fished during the first three stops on this trip. Guest can expect to be wading rivers up to 90 yards across and between 2 and 6 feet deep. Excellent for wading, these rivers offer some of the best Rainbow Trout fishing in all the Pyrenees. Fish up to 25 inches are not uncommon and guests can expect a good number of rainbows in the 14-20 inch range. Another interesting element to this fishery is the exceptional barbell fishing found in the rivers of Catalonia. Barbel are like hybrid bonefish/carp that will grow up to 12 pounds and readily eat a well presented fly. Barbel will often be found tailing is skinny water in much the way bonefish do and it’s marvelous thrill to be site casting to them in these beautiful rivers.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
This is strictly a walk and wade destination. All transfers provided during this trip are in modern air conditioned 4 wheel drive vehicles.
GETTING THERE
Most of our guests coming into to fish the 9 night Pyrenees Fly-Fishing and Gastronomic Wine Tour fly in and out of Barcelona. From downtown Barcelona, guests will take the high speed train to Zaragozza. Once guests arrive in Zaragoza, a trip representative will be waiting for you. The train from Barcelona takes about 1.5 hours and its then about a two hour drive from Zaragoza over to the lodge in Santa Celia. If you are coming in through Madrid, it’s also a 1.5 hour high speed train to Zaragoza. The return to Barcelona from the Can Boix is about an hour and 45 minutes.
Slipstream is a full service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.
RATES FOR 2024
$13,600 USD DBL Shared room and guide
Please contact our office for single angler pricing and availability.
- MAD - Spain
- June through September
- Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout…
- 12 anglers per week guests
- Wifi: Yes
- Language: English/Spanish
- Physicality: Low
- CC Payment at Facility : Yes
From our gallery
10 night 9 Day Pyrenees Gastronomic Experience
Tour Location
LOCATION
PRIMARY SPECIES
SEASON OF OPERATION
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOGISTICS
ACCOMMODATIONS
1. La Jacetania Lodge - Set in a tranquil riverside atmosphere, next to the bell tower of the Church of Santa Cilia, the lodge was once a small 15th century palace belonging to the monks of the Monastery of San Juan de la Pena. Now fully renovated to incorporate many of the comforts that traveling anglers have come to expect, the spacious 3 story lodge has 5 bedrooms that can be configured into either single or double occupancy rooms. Situated on the first floor, the wader/tack room is there to store guests’ waders, boots, jackets and gear after a day of fishing. A small fly shop is just off the tack room to help augment an anglers fly box just in case something is forgotten back home. Also on the first floor, the bar looks out on to the parking lot and Aragon River, which is just a stones’ throw away from the property. For larger groups of anglers with a significant number of non anglers, we will use the San Juan de la Pena Mountain top Monastery or, depending on group size, one of the nice centrally located hotels in downtown Haca.
2. Hotel Villa de Torla - Located on the edge of the Odressa National Park Valley, this family owned hotel is our favorite place to stay when overnighting Torla. The hotel is centrally located in town and within an easy walk down the incredibly narrow streets to a variety of cosy restaurants and bars. This classic mountain refuge has rooms of various shapes and sizes, all with typical Pyrenean details dominated by stone floors and wood paneling and trim; sundecks, terraces, and a private dining room make it easy to forget that some of Spain’s wildest highland scenery is just a few minutes up the valley.
3. La Ribagorza Lodge - The lodge is located right in the heart of Aren, which is a small Pre-Pyrenean village of some 300 people. This is a remote and rural environment far off the beaten path and in many respects it feels like you have taken a step back in time when you first arrive. There are actually two separate parts to the lodge, one for dining and drinking and the other, a 20 second walk down an ancient cobblestone street to where the all rooms are located. The sleeping quarters are very close by and consist of comfortable double rooms with private bath, air conditioning, and cable TV. There is also a spa attached to this part of the lodge, with a walk in sauna, Jacuzzi and exercise equipment. Guests staying here are immersed in the local culture and flavor of the region.
4 Cielo en la Tierra Hotel. - Perhaps our favorite hotel in all of Spain, the hotel is one fabulous surprise after another. Nestled at the base of a huge rock crag and overlooking the scenic valley below, the hotel makes for a wonderful rest stop after a week on the road touring and fishing some of the most remote places in all of Spain. The rooms are large and modern, but also cosy thanks to the wood floors and furniture. All rooms have air conditioning and central heating with adjustable thermostat, minibar, safe. The cuisine has received numerous gastronomic awards for originality—the presentation is superb, the wine list extensive and the accompanying views from the dining room, bar and guest rooms are fabulous.
DESTINATION CAPACITY
10 night 9 Day Pyrenees Gastronomic Experience
10 night 9 Day Pyrenees Gastronomic Experience
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- Transfers from the Zaragoza train station to the town of Santa Celia or Haca (depending on group size)
- 11 nights’ accommodation (Double occupancy). When available, a single room supplement may be possible with sufficient notice.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Lunch can either be taken by the river or back at the lodge depending on guest preference. Appetizers after fishing each day. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the dining aspect of this trip, along with wine pairing. Guests will benefit from our local knowledge to enjoy both lodge meals and excellent Spanish restaurants, including the best tapas bar in all of Spain! Food and drink are critical elements to this trip and we have the gastronomic side of this adventure thoroughly dialed in.
- 10 days of guided fishing (2 anglers per guide)
- Fishing licenses for each of the different regions fished.
- Daily fishing permits for all private waters fished.
- Laundry at La Jacetania Lodge and La Ribargoza Lodge
- Wines with lunch and dinner, local beers and soft drinks each day.
- All applicable Spanish Government taxes.
- Our comprehensive information package on this 9 night multi destination Pyrenees Mountain Odyssey, including our Gear and Fly PDF.
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
- International airfare to Spain
- Return train tickets to the Zaragoza train station from either Barcelona or Madrid.
- Gratuities to guides and lodge staff.
- Trip Insurance.
- Telephone calls.
- All personal items purchased.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
U.S. and Canadian citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You need sufficient funds, evidence of hotel reservations or an official letter of invitation if you will stay with family or friends, and a return airline ticket.