Yesterday afternoon Johan Terblanche and I fished the Guadalhorce. The river was somewhat skinnier than when we had last fished it around Easter time and it was carrying a little colour. Johan is now officially my favourite person in the whole world after he gave me a present of a bottle of Klipdrift brandy from South Africa. I don´t know much about brandy but I understand that this is a bit special. I reckon I might pour some of this stuff into a hip flask my brother in law gave me a few years back and enjoy a celebratory toast if a good fish should come my way.
The river is a bit small now to accommodate two fishermen and so we walked away downstream from where we parked up and I fished my way upstream while Johan walked further downstream so each was working our own little stretch.
We managed a few fish between us using both dry and nymph. Johan took a couple of short video recordings. One was of me catching a fish and the other, which I attach below, shows a few gypsy barbel swimming in the shallows. This is a short segment but gives a good idea of what the river looks like and how the fish cruise around in the shallows. When you look a film like this it seems as though the fish are simply there for the taking but they are very spooky. The challenge is in trying to present a fly without scaring them. Every now and then it all comes together – but very often it doesn´t!
Here is Johan at the end of our fishing session. It was hot when we were done and our thoughts were turning to beer.
One of Johan´s fish (you can tell by the reel in the photo!)
My reel this time! This particular fish had been feeding well (lots of displaced mud) in fastish current. I drifted a nymph to him many times and eventually he took. I feared I had foul-hooked him but once I worked him back after his initial run I could see that he had taken the nymph fair and square
fishydreams 
Lovely. Very jealous , reminds me of many nice days spent on that river.
The river is still here waiting for you! Mind you I do feel a twinge of jealousy when I see those big trout you pull out of Rutland!
Nice video of the barbel there Pablo.
What temperature is the water?
Hi there. First of all apologies for the late response. I haven´t looked at the blog for a little while. The temperature of the water? Well I can only guess. The daytime temperatures at the moment are in the 30´s so my guess is that the water might be in the upper 20s. I really ought to bring a thermometer out with me! If I manage I will let you know. All the best, Maestro.
Hi Paul, I have really enjoyed your book. Full of passion and enthusiasm, and — importantly for fellow fishers — information. I think I have number 171 ! I have only now come across your blog which is equally informative and fun. I have fished the embalses of Extremadura for the species of barbel up there; but of course my heart is set on fishing for the most beautiful of the clan, the barbo gitano. I wouldn’t dream of asking for your locations, but would you please let me know what month/season is best for fly fishing for this fish? I imagine, perhaps wrongly, that summer flows would be low and perhaps winter water a little turbid? Is autumn good? or spring? Do you have a nother book in the offing?
Hi Paul. Many thanks for your message. I´m delighted you enjoyed the book. As for the fishing I´m not in the least secretive and would be happy to point you in the direction of some good fishing or accompany you so please don´t be hesitant to ask. If you want to get in touch by email I am paulmhogan@hotmail.com.
As for when to fish, you can catch the barbel all year but winter can be tougher and high summer too. My favourite time is around Easter. If you drop me a line I might be able to help you a bit more on specifics. All the best, P.