Weather in Madrid

Park Enrique Tierno Galvan

Type: Gravel pit

Species: Carp, Monster Crucian 4lb plus, Bass, and Pike

Aprrox 2.5 acres of mature gravel pit. Good selection of pegs, approx 30. Water depth varies up to 8 metres. Fish the method with maize, boilie, and pellet for results. Plenty of hard fighting Carp in the 10-14lb bracket and 20lb fish are common. Carp up to 35lbs.

Area: Near St Martin de la Vega (30km south of Madrid)

Embalse de Buendia

This water offers good free fishing for large Carp and Barbel, Buendia is located north east of Guadalajara about 120km from Madrid.

Species and methods

• Carp. Fishing at range is common. If you can locate the fish it’s relatively easy to take 5 Carp and Barbel in a session, however this is a massive inland lake more like a sea, so it’s worth spending time on arrival looking for fish before you bait up. Pre-baiting will help and maize / hemp and pellet are a great place to start . The fish average around 7 kilos with Barbel seldom less than 5kg.

Drive north east from Madrid passing Alcala de Henares on the A2/E90. Direction of Guadalajara or Zaragoza, at Guadalajara exit for the A320 follow signs for Sacedon. After about 40min. drive you will begin to climb the roads begin to twist as you travel through a low mountainous and pine area. Passing the impressive Embalse de Enterpenas contiue towards Buendia.

La Laguna de Campillio

A 100 acre mature gravel pit south east of Madrid between Las Rivas and Arganda del Rey. Carp, Barbel Comizo and Bass can be caught here, although the fishing can be hit and miss. If you're not on the fish you could easily blank. Pegs are not well managed and depending on the time of year large parts of the lake are inaccesible. Those prepared to do some walking will get best results. The overall fish population is small and the water is stuffed with naturals, so getting the fish onto your bait could take time.

Species and methods

• Carp. Sure there are monster Carp but most are quite small, fish averaging between 2-4 kilos (1.1 and 4.4lb) are common. Fish can be taken on the method with maggot, corn, frolic and pellet also getting results with the Barbel. This is one of the few waters near Madrid with Comizo Barbel.
• Bass. Worms and artificials will take the Bass. Keep on the move, using a small gold toby for some fish in the evenings.

Drive south east from Madrid A3/E901 follow signs for Arganda Del Rey and Valenica. After about 20 kms, exit for Viciamadrid. Turn right passing the village and down a dirt road. The fishery will be on the right hand side of the road, and you will see the motorway running by the side of the lake and the river.

Rio Lozoya - Oteruelo

1.5 km stretch of the Rio Lozoya, running from the brife at Oteruelo downstream to the bridge at Rascafria. This easily accessible section has free fishing on offer for brown trout.

Species and methods

• Trout. The fishing here has been pressurised in the last few years. The result is quite difficult fishing for only a few, small fish. Worm, fly and spinning will bring fish, but be prepared to work.

Mejorada del Campo

Good free fishing on the Rio Henares near Mejorada (drive towards Torrejon from Mejorada) for carp, barbel, cat fish (pez gato) and bass. This fishery was badly polluted in the past but is making a slow but determined recovery.

Species and methods

• Carp. Carp to 4 or 5 kilos respond to maize and paste. Large bags of smaller fish is the most probable result, with lots of fish to 0.5 kilos possible to maggots, corn or worm.
• Barbel. Lots of barbel present. Feeder fish maggot or pellet over hemp for plenty of fish.
• Bass. Worms or artificals in the margins at dawn and dusk will catch bass, but they tend to be very small.
• Cat fish. This fishery is stuffed with pez gato. Worm is the most common bait, but chicken livers will bring the bigger fish. Fish hard on the bottom.

Embalse de San Juan

This water is very scenic, with lots of pine surrounding the fishery. This clean fishery has free fishing for carp, barbel and bass.

Species and methods

• Carp. Boilies, corn or bread work well, either under a float or on a ledger. Most fish are small, but the odd fish to 5 kilos have been reported.
• Barbel. There is a good head of small barbel present, with the odd fish to 8 kilos. Standard baits such as pellet or corn will score. Bread is another good option. Fly fishing with goldhead nymphs is also quite successful.
• Bass. The usual array of small spoons and spinners will catch bass here, but they are no where near as abundant as the carp or barbel.
• Pumpkinseed. These little fish are prolific here, providing lots of food resource for the bass. Fish maggots or pirces of worm under a whip or light float outfit.

Alcala de Henares

A very popular stretch of the Rio Henares at Alcala, just downstream from the stretch described above at Mejorada del Campo.. Free fishing for carp, barbel, cat fish (pez gato) and pumpkinseed. Depths average between 2 and 3 metres.

Species and methods

• Carp. Waggler tactics is the way to to go. Fish worm or corn over loose fed offerings, including hemp, for fish to 3.5 kilos.
• Barbel. Fish to 2 kilos can be caught. Fish using the same baits and methods as recommened for the carp.
• Pez gato. Bunches of worms or maggots will catch these fish. Fish hard on the bottom. Pieces of liver or other offal will also catch.
• Pumpkinseed. Single maggot or worm fishing on a light outfit in the margins or arounds weedbeds will work.

Tramo Rio Jarama

Free fishing for trout is available here. Fly fishing only is permitted. This stretch of the Rio Jarama runs between it's confluence with the Rio Berbellido and the Rio Huelgas. This is a catch and release fishery.

Species and methods

• Trout. Fly fishing only is allowed. Small nymphs work well. Some people insist on fishing with spoons and spinners. Do not be tempted into thinking this is acceptable!

Laguna de Arganda

Free fishing for carp, pez gato and black bass.

Species and methods

• Carp. Nice fish to 7 kilos are present. Onbe or two worms on a simple ledger rig works well. Par boiled potatoes, beans and bread will all catch fish.
• Bass. Small rapalas score at dusk and dawn. Worms, bumped or static, will bring the odd fish also. Fish surface poppers during the summer months.
• Pez gato. Bunches of worms or maggots will catch these fish. Fish hard on the bottom. Pieces of liver or other offal will also catch.

Embalse de Valmayor

Lots of possibilities to wet a line exist on this embalse. Free fishing is on offer for carp and pike.

Species and methods

• Carp. Paste, bread, corn and potato fished in the margins will score. Reports of fish to 16.5 kilos have been made, but 2 to 3 kilos is a more realistic target.
• Pike. Catch reports are a bitthin, but fish to 12 kilos have been reported. The average pike is considerably smaller, in the 1 kilo range.