Today was as good a day on the river as I can remember for some time. As I was heading out I was trying to decide which of two stretches of river to visit and I opted, in the end to go to Estación de Cártama and just walk upstream for a way. There were quite a few people having picnics and barbecues, this being a popular area with the public, but it took just a river crossing and a short walk upriver to find myself alone.

I wanted to give the “new” nymphs I had tied up earlier a swim. It is easy to concoct something at the vice that fills you with hope only to have the fish give it a resounding thumbs down. I am no stranger to this experience. But today the fish seemed to like the nymph and the one fly I tied on at the car before starting out did me for 10 barbel and a couple of carp. This fly was tied on a barbless size 14 dry fly/lightweight nymph hook and it stood up to quite a lot of pressure, particularly with the larger of the two carp which I had to keep out of snags on the far side and “walk” it up current to find somewhere shallow enough to beach it.

It is quite a while since I fished this stretch. The river is reasonably wide but quite shallow and there is only one or two faster runs. There is quite good cover on the margins and the grassy verges are the kinds of places the carp like to nose around. This might be a good spot to keep in mind later in the summer when the barbel switch off a little.

This was about the best of the barbel.

This was about the best of the barbel. He was taken in quite fast water and immediately turned and ran downstream which was lucky for me because he ran from a relatively snaggy run to a wide pool where he was relatively easy to beach.

On his way again.

On his way again. It is interesting to see the mirroring effect of the surface.

Most turtles plunge into the river at the drop of a hat but this fella couldn´t be arsed! He did eventually drop in but you could tell he wash´t too keen on the idea.

Most turtles plunge into the river at the drop of a hat but this fella couldn´t be arsed! He did eventually drop in but you could tell he wash´t too keen on the idea.

This carp is no monster but he was quite a handful with snags around. Look at the great big tail he has!

This carp is no monster but he was quite a handful with snags around. Look at the great big tail he has! And his pectoral fin too! No wonder I had such a hard time landing him.