Chuck F. and Kathy K. traveled across the pond to fish with our friends at Pyrenees Fly Fishing where they had an epic time fishing, dining, and taking in the amazing Spanish scenery. Read their thoughts below:
Did you find the trip booking process through Yellow Dog enjoyable and useful? If not, please share why.
-Â Yes, very helpful! Yellow Dog is always good about communicating expectations and responding if we have any questions. We knew going in that this is one that Jim himself had scouted out and vouched for, so our confidence was high - and correctly so. Honestly, it's even more incredible than your literature described.
Were the Yellow Dog pre-trip planning packet(s) and travel itinerary you received for your trip helpful and accurate? If not, how could it be improved?
-Â They were spot on! Only thing I'd add is to bring your own wading staff. We did, and were happy to have them.
Did the lodging (rooms, dining area, social area, etc) match what you were expecting? If not, please provide additional comments or constructive feedback.
-Â Both of the accommodations were wonderful. We enjoyed the hotel in Graus a lot! Graus is a beautiful little village and the staff and townspeople were very friendly. The lodge in Larrede was spectacular, like staying in Vail during the summer. Stunning. High marks for both!
Did the food (breakfast, lunch, dinner) match what you were expecting? If not, please provide additional comments or constructive feedback.
-Â All of the meals exceeded our expectations. This turned out to be a culinary vacation as well as a fishing vacation! The wines in particular were amazingly good and inexpensive by comparison. The little bit of research we did in advance led us to order wines from Rioja the first night - but with our waiters' help we quickly learned to order the local ones, wherever we were. We also loved the Iberian charcuterie boards, pintxos and other dishes. Two nights our guide Ricardo took us to restaurants he favors in Biescas - and both were wonderful! Very memorable.
Do you have any comments or constructive feedback based on the service, friendliness, etc of the lodge staff?
-Â No complaints or suggestions at all.
Were you pleased with your guide(s) customer service, communication skills, professionalism, work ethic, and general fishing knowledge? If not, please share why.
- The folks at Pyrenees Flyfishing - Ricardo and Adrian - were phenomenal! They went over and beyond every day to make sure we were having a great experience. We enjoyed getting to know them and appreciated their willingness to help us learn about a country that was new to us. The fishing was excellent! Truly - just as you advertised - this was the most beautiful place to fish we've ever experienced, and their enthusiasm exceeded even ours. We caughts lots of fish each day, all on dries. And the streamside lunches! We're usually anxious to rush through lunch and get back to fishing, but the three course meal with wine became part of the experience, not an interruption. We fish a lot of mountain streams here in Western North Carolina, but this trip took small creek, dry fly fishing to a totally different level!
What key piece(s) of gear, tackle, flies, soft goods, etc. made your trip successful?
- A huge advantage of fishing with Ricardo and Adrian is that they supply virtually all the equipment - and it was top notch. Waders, boots, rods, flies...we didn't have to worry about a thing. We did bring our own wading staffs and gear lanyards with nippers, etc. I'm glad we did, as both guides were good about alternating between us so that sometimes the guide was right with one of us while the other could fish on our own. I forgot gink, but that was my fault.
What piece(s) of equipment would you not leave home without for this trip?
- Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a good camera! We were lucky to have gorgeous weather all four of our fishing days. The weather was in the 70's/low 80's with virtually no clouds and high sun. We could tell that in a mountainous region like this the weather could have been much different, and were prepared for rain/cold each day with layers. Also bring good hiking shoes, in case you get to hike into a remote location!
Would you return to this destination? Please share why or why not.
-Â Absolutely! Indeed, we would say this is a bucket list trip for everyone who enjoys trout fishing. We fell in love with Spain (this was the first week of a two week trip; the second week we explored the wine country near Logrono and the north coast in Gijon). If you're into incredible food and wine, heartstopping scenery, friendly people and epic dry fly fishing, this is a trip you should take!
