Buenas Días Families!
The Spain Pyrenees Expedition continues to roll along, and somehow the days just keep getting better. As guides, this is the point in the trip that is most rewarding to watch. The boys are acting like they've known each other for years, the fishing has been lights out, and their confidence speaking Spanish continues to grow every day. Whether they're helping one another on the river, playing soccer with local kids, or navigating mountain towns together, it has been incredible watching this group come together.
Since our last update, we've covered a lot of ground across Northern Spain. One highlight was visiting a local trout hatchery, where the boys learned about fisheries management and what it takes to maintain healthy trout populations throughout the region. Following the visit, we spent the morning fishing before returning for a traditional Spanish lunch. That afternoon, we headed back to the river in pursuit of some impressive zebra trout. Between the fish and the scenery, it felt like we were fishing inside a postcard.
One evening, the group headed to the local soccer field for a full-field match. Soccer is everything here, and before long the boys had teamed up with local kids for a sunset game surrounded by mountains. Afterwards, we explored a nearby village, visited a historic church, and stopped into a small shop where several students picked up authentic soccer jerseys for our World Cup watch parties.
Being in Europe during the World Cup has added another layer of excitement to the trip. We watched the United States defeat Australia together and later gathered to watch Spain play as well. The boys have fully embraced the atmosphere, and it's been a fun way to connect with local culture.
The next phase of the trip brought us to new water in pursuit of one of Spain's most unique species: barbel. These powerful fish are notoriously difficult to fool on a fly, but the boys rose to the challenge and even managed to catch several on dry flies, something that genuinely surprised our local guides. Along the way, students also landed European perch and trout, turning the day into a true multi-species adventure.
We then traded fishing rods for a day of culture and history. Accompanied by our wonderful local guide Eva, we explored Romanesque churches, medieval villages, and ancient towns that seemed frozen in time. Overhead, Spanish kites and vultures soared above the valleys while we enjoyed a traditional lunch featuring local cheeses, goat, wild boar, cured ham, and patatas bravas. In the United States we call that farm-to-table dining. Here in Northern Spain, it's simply called lunch.
From there, we continued west through the mountains, stopping to explore Monte Perdido National Park before arriving at Bujaruelo Refuge on the Rio Ara, the Pyrenees' last undammed wild river. The boys cooled off with a swim, enjoyed a group dinner, and gathered together for another World Cup watch party.
The following day brought one of the most unique fishing experiences of the trip. Thanks to Adrian, we gained access to a remote mountain valley normally reserved for national park personnel. After loading up with sandwiches, empanadas, and snacks, we spent the day fishing glacial streams and alpine meadows surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Wildlife sightings included Iberian ibex, marmots, hawks, kites, and countless wildflowers.
Most importantly, the boys found tremendous success targeting the region's famous zebra trout. Every student connected with fish throughout the day, making for one of the most memorable sessions of the trip. After returning to the refuge, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner before finishing the evening with swimming, hacky sack, and plenty of laughs. If there is one thing this group loves almost as much as fishing, it might be hacky sack. Our local guides have fully embraced the competition as well.
Fishing continued the following morning as Miguel introduced the boys to European nymphing techniques that have become famous throughout the fly-fishing world. The students have made tremendous progress and will have plenty of new skills to bring back to their home waters.
After lunch, we loaded the vans and made our way toward Jaca, Adrian's hometown. Upon arrival, Adrian surprised the group with tickets to an authentic flamenco performance. It was a fantastic cultural experience and a perfect way to cap off another busy day.
Most recently, we partnered with a specialized guide on the legendary Ebro River in pursuit of one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth: the Wels catfish. These giants can exceed 200 pounds, and despite the summer heat, the boys had an unforgettable experience targeting them. We'll let the photos tell the rest of that story.
As we enter the final stretch of the expedition, the boys are about to experience the destination many have been looking forward to since day one: Barcelona. We'll visit the world-famous Sagrada Familia, explore the city through a tapas tour, and finish the trip enjoying the Mediterranean beaches that help make Barcelona one of Europe's most iconic destinations.
Needless to say, this group continues to impress us every day. They are fishing hard, embracing new experiences, supporting one another, and making the most of every opportunity. We couldn't be more proud of them.
Thanks for sending such a great group of young anglers to Spain—we're having a blast.
Until next time — tight lines and good times.
Jack, Miguel, Adrian, Miquel, and the boys
