Families!
Welcome to the first update from the Spanish Pyrenees Expedition! After months of planning, travel day has finally arrived, and we are excited to report that the entire group has safely arrived in Spain and settled into our mountain basecamp.
First a quick introduction. I am Jack Kenney, and this is my tenth year with Lillard Fly Fishing. I direct our international trips across the Caribbean and Central America and can confidently say that this is the one I am most excited about. I grew up in the Boston area and graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Entrepreneurship. Spain is a second home to me, and with the help of our three local guides, it's easy to see why I keep calling this a trip of a lifetime.
The boys have already begun getting to know one another, sharing stories from home, talking fishing, and discussing what they're most excited about for the next two weeks. We have students joining us from six states across the U.S., and it has been fun watching friendships begin to form before we've even made our first casts. Over the next several days, we'll be exploring some of the most spectacular trout water in Europe before continuing west through the Pyrenees to fish historic valleys, mountain towns, and private waters.
Our day began at Barcelona Airport as students arrived throughout the morning and early afternoon. Once bags were collected and everyone made it through customs, we loaded into two vans and started heading north, where the real adventures awaited. The drive from Barcelona into the Pyrenees gave everyone a chance to relax after long travel days while taking in the scenery of northeastern Spain. As the hours passed, the landscape transformed from bustling city streets to rolling countryside and eventually into dramatic mountain valleys. Along the way, conversations ranged from favorite fishing stories and dream fish to sports, school, and what everyone hopes to accomplish during the expedition.
We arrived at our hotel basecamp just before sunset, and the timing could not have been better. Golden evening light illuminated the surrounding peaks while students got their first glimpse of the mountains that will be home for much of the trip. After settling into rooms, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner together featuring local cuisine before gathering for our introductory meeting. During the meeting, we reviewed trip expectations, safety procedures, fishing plans, and introduced our local guide team. Students met Adrian, Miguel, and Miquel of Pyrenees Fly Fishing. Adrian, a father of two himself, has spent over 14 years guiding these waters and helping visitors experience the very best of the Pyrenees. Together, Adrian, Miguel, and Miquel bring nearly 25 years of professional guiding experience throughout this region. Their knowledge of the rivers, alpine lakes, wildlife, culture, and history of these mountains is truly impressive, and we're fortunate to have them leading us through their home waters.
Over the next two days, we will be fishing high in the mountains within Alt Pirineu Natural Park. Using 4x4 vehicles to access remote terrain, we'll explore pristine alpine lakes and streams surrounded by snow-capped, rugged peaks and breathtaking scenery. These waters are home to beautiful brook trout, one of the signature species of the region that many students have never had the opportunity to target in such a wild setting. Beyond the fishing, students will learn about the history, ecology, and culture of one of Europe's most remarkable mountain landscapes. Later in the expedition, we'll continue west to the historic valley of Barruera, where we'll fish productive private waters and rivers flowing through centuries-old stone villages tucked beneath the Pyrenean peaks.
The trip is off to a fantastic start. The boys have traveled well, arrived with positive attitudes, brushed off the jet lag like their messy hair, and are eager to begin fishing the spectacular Pyrenean waters near the French border. The weather looks excellent for the next few days, and anticipation is running high for our first day on the water. Thank you for trusting us with your sons and for allowing us to share this incredible corner of the world with them. We can't wait to update you again soon. Until then, wish us luck, even though I don't think we'll need much of it.
Thanks,
Miguel, Adrian, Miquel, and Jack
The Guides and the Guys
