Gran Canaria: A Tourist Magnet with Hidden Fly Fishing Possibilities

Gran Canaria: A Tourist Magnet with Hidden Fly Fishing Possibilities

Gran Canaria is a beautiful and remote Spanish island off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara. It is part of the Canary Islands, which – geographically – belongs to the African continent. Gran Canaria is an incredibly popular tourist destination, but relatively few people know about the varied fly fishing possibilities here.

By Marek Sidor

I have been living and working on the island of Gran Canaria since 2005. In my spare time, I dedicate myself to fly fishing, photography and videography. The island offers a surprisingly vast array of quality possibilities for visiting fly fishermen. The ocean, of course, is a resource in its own right, but – to me – the freshwater fisheries are the main attraction. For instance, there are several inland reservoirs, which can provide visitors with great challenges and surprises – in addition to beautiful sceneries and hikes. Most of these reservoirs were established during Franco’s dictatorship in order to supply tomato plantations with sufficient amounts of water. (Before the arrival of tourism, tomato plantations were the main basis of economic growth on the island).

In an attempt to regulate the insects and algae in the reservoirs, they were stocked with carp, black bass, tilapia (and pumpkinseed) in the early 1960s. Since then, the fish have established and adapted and are reproducing like in the wild – without any human interference. It could therefore be argued that we are now talking about “wild” species that thrive naturally on Gran Canaria.

Year-Round Season

Fly fishing possibilities are available throughout the year, thanks to the pleasant climate offered by the islands. Because of the climate, the fish don’t hibernate and go into winterinduced lethargy. Instead, they practically feed non-stop – and as a result, they grow faster than in most of the other Spanish provinces – or elsewhere in Europe, for that matter, where similar species are found.

The carp are clever; built like tanks and full of muscles that they employ in a maniacal and explosive way

Tilapia and pumpkinseed are aggressive fish that provide great fun on light gear, when using small nymphs and streamers. Black bass are mighty predators that can be targeted using poppers or pulsating streamers - and they’re known for being dogged fighters that hit the flies with great determination and power. The carp are clever; built like tanks and full of muscles that they employ in a maniacal and explosive way once hooked. And they can be sight-fished in shallow water, providing nerve-wracking excitement and drag-burning runs.

Risk Factors

A risk factor in the survival of the local Gran Canarian species is the regular use of reservoirs for irrigation, which – to this date - continues to be practiced by local farmers. This activity relates to the high temperatures and droughts due to lack of rain, which is evidently becoming more and more common every year due to climate change. It can radically reduce the water levels, thereby threatening all aquatic life and affecting fish reproduction.

Over the years, I have been observing problems relating to irrigation in a number of fish habitats. Fortunately, to my surprise, I have also found the fish to be very resilient. I’ve seen how the different species have revived and kicked back in a vital way once the rain finally comes and fills the dams and reservoirs with life at the onset of the spring season.

The adaptation abilities of the local species in many of the small-sized dams are amazing, especially considering the large size many of the fish achieve during their lifespan. On some occasions, we’ve even seen hatchlings during winter, which has me wondering if the black bass, which usually reproduce in spring, can also breed at other times throughout the year?

Reservoirs upon Reservoirs

Gran Canaria has a large number of reservoirs in many different locations where exciting fly fishing possibilities can be found. Most of the reservoirs are situated in the central part of the island, due to the varied geological structures and microclimates here. The northern zone is greener and rainier. Its biodiversity and prolific fauna and flora are highlighted by the Canarian pine forest, which is very resistant to the frequent wildfires during dry seasons.

The mountain ravines are ideal structures for the construction of dam walls, and many of the man-made dams have given life to different bodies of water by filling them up during the rains. The southern area mostly consists of deserts with a bustling tourism industry due to the many beautiful beaches here. Reservoirs, dams, and lakes, however, can be found all over – so if you do come, be sure to bring your fly fishing equipment.

What Gear to Bring?

I use various fly fishing kits ranging from 5-weights to 8-weights depending on the species I’ll be targeting and where I’ll be targeting them. Since I mainly sight-fish from the shoreline, I typically use floating lines, but every now and then – when I’m bellyboating for bass, I use fast sinking lines, so I can reach the fish at depth.

The flies I use include streamers, poppers, nymphs, and bread patterns etc. I personally prefer natural colors such as gray, brown, olive and so on in order to best imitate some of the naturally occurring prey items.

They create a vacuum with their bucket-sized mouths and suck the prey inside

The hooks I use are always barbless. Especially for the Black Bass - due to the way they hunt and inhale prey items, I find that it’s important to use barbless hooks. This species feeds by creating a vacuum with their bucket-sized mouths and sucking its prey inside. A light, hovering fly can easily end up in the gills or the throat, endangering the life of the fish. I’m therefore inclined to using Clouser Minnow-style flies with heavy eyes, which I know from experience are less likely to result in deep-hooking. Combining this type of fly with a floating line and a fluorocarbon leader somewhere between 3 and 3.5 meters is ideal when it comes to reaching the necessary depth of the reservoir when fishing from the bank. The leaders should taper into 0.28 – 0.30mm tippet sections, so you can really put pressure on the fish during the fight.

Depending on the size of the black bass (and not least the size of the flies used) 9’ 5 – 7-weight rods can be used. The black bass, especially, can be picky and moody, so be sure to vary your retrieves and try different fly patterns and fishing depths until you succeed hooking up with one of these incredibly entertaining fish.

Fly Fishing for Carp

For carp fishing, we usually use 9’ 7 and 8-weight outfits and search for cruising or feeding fish in the shallows. This type of fishing is incredibly exciting, and it requires a stealthy approach and calm nerves. Once you’ve intercepted a carp, it’s all about presenting the fly – a small nymph or leech pattern, in front of the fish and slowly start stripping as the fish approaches. The takes are typically quite subtle, while the resulting runs are the absolute opposite. Be prepared for backing to be exposed as many of the carp here are both big and powerful.

Dressed for Success

The clothing we use here is designed to protect us from the sun’s rays. We use UV-protecting neck gaitors, gloves, and caps when fishing during the summer months, and if we’re fishing in shorts and t-shirts, we apply ample amounts of sunscreen to any exposed skin. The sun can be relentless! Mainly, we’re just fishing from the banks, but sometimes it’s nice to get in and do a bit of wet wading. (Mostly for the cooling effect, though).

When fishing during the cooler winter season, we usually wear waders. The wading shoes need to be strong and suitable for walking on unstable and rugged terrain. Vibram soles are to be preferred and, in some spots, studs are recommended too.

The author, Marek Sidor, with a good-sized talapia. Another fish species that now thrive in the many Gran Canarian lakes and reservoirs.

Why Freshwater Fishing?

While speaking of fishing in Gran Canaria, it may seem strange not to mention the possibility of fly fishing in the sea. Gran Canaria, after all, is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The reason why I spend 95% of my time fly fishing freshwater is because the sea is quite overfished.

There is also the opportunity to fly fish for tuna, barracuda and seabass

I prefer to spend most of my time in reservoirs where catch and release can be practiced, and the fish species may continue to thrive. However, in case anyone is interested in fly fishing in the sea, I would recommend visiting the areas with sandy beaches as you have the possibility of fishing for seabass here. It’s not a native species, however - it was introduced accidentally by local fish farms. They are prospering, however, and they are aggressive fish that hit hard – which makes them fun to target on a fly rod. They threaten the local fish species by occupying their living space and feeding on their fry, so don’t be afraid to harvest a few and prepare them for dinner. (They’re really good eating!)

There is also the possibility of fly fishing for tuna, barracuda etc. But as I have already mentioned in the beginning, they are scarce. Furthermore, they usually occupy rocky areas or areas with deep water where it can be rather dangerous for someone with little local knowledge and experience. As a result, I always recommend contacting a local guide or to head out with a charter boat.

Want to Fish Gran Canaria?

There are weekly flights to Las Palmas, which is the capitol of the Gran Canary Islands and the biggest city on Gran Canaria. From here, simply rent a car and go explore. There are plenty of reservoirs, mountain lakes and dams to fish and most of them have good populations of carp, black bass, and tilapia – in addition to a few pumpkinseed. A freshwater fishing license is only 10 Euros for a 15-day license (or 25Euros for a full year), and it can be pre-ordered online:

https://www.gran-canaria-beaches.com/gran-canaria-freshwater-fishing-licence.html

For more information about Gran Canaria, please refer to: https://www.grancanaria.com/turismo/en/

Carp have powerful tails and once hooked they can really make a dent in your backing.