THE RIVER EBRO
The Ebro is Spain's longest river rising approximately 50 miles from the Atlantic to the s
outh of Santander in the Cantabrian mountains. It flows approximately 400 miles along the sou
thern foothills of the Pyrenees in northern Spain before emerging at a large delta some 100 m
iles south of Barcelona, into the Mediterranean Sea.
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Catfish country on the Ebro begins at the well-known Mequinensa, where the fish were origi
nally released back in the 1970's. Since then the cats have moved downstream and can now be f
ound all the way down to the delta. My fishing is carried out mainly in the lower region, wh
ich at present is far more productive than some of the more renowned areas to the north. The
river is incredibly diverse, even in the final 50 miles or so where we concentrate our fishin
g activity. Areas such as Benifallet and Xerta see a surging, fast flowing river with great f
luctuations in both depth and current. Alternatively, the final reaches of the Ebro at Tortos
a and Amposta present a wider and more sedate river with predictable depth and character.
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Pictures of the river
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It is not only catfish which thrive in the river, the Ebro is regarded by many as Europe's
premier coarse fishing rivers. The head of wild carp and mullet in the river has to be seen
to be believed, with 200lb catches easily achievable from locations such as Flix and Ribe Roj
a. Individual specimens of over 40lb are possible with 20lb fish commonplace and literally th
ousands in the 5-10lb bracket. Also present are good quality barbel, zander, crucian carp, ro
ach and American black bass.
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The scenery is magnificent with orange and olive groves adjacent to the river and nearby m
ountains creating breath taking views. The attendant wildlife is spectacular with osprey, red
kite, hoopoes, bee-eater and herons and egrets of various types the pick of the birdlife.
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The Wels Catfish (Silurus Glanis)
Not only is the wels catfish the world's biggest catfish, it is also Europe's largest fres
hwater fish. Specimens weighing over 600lb have been netted from waters in it's native easter
n Europe whilst the official rod caught record is presently held by Kevin Maddocks at 202lb f
rom the Ili Delta in Kazakhstan. The Ebro has accounted for many huge fish to over 180lb and
rates as Europe's premier destination for the species. Other rivers in Europe such as the Po
in Italy and the Saone in France also contain good heads of catfish but have failed to produc
e the same quality of fishing in terms of weights or numbers.
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The Cat Fish
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There are two major factors which combine to make the Ebro an ideal habitat for catfish to
thrive in. The first of these is the hot climate of Spain which allows a nine month growing
season for the fish. The second factor is the abundance of smaller fish in the river which gi
ve the cats an almost infinite food source. This is particularly true in the final reaches of
the Ebro where mullet swarm upstream from the Mediterranean in their thousands. It is not a
question of if, but rather when, will the Ebro produce it's first 200lb siluro with average g
rowth rates of 10 - 15lb per year. And with my help hopefully its is You that catches that e
lusive big one.
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