Spring always feels like a turning point when you fish the reservoirs here in Spain.
Winter never really gets as cold as it did back home in Cornwall, but there’s still a quieter period when the banks feel empty and the water seems almost lifeless.
Then, usually sometime around late February or March, things begin to change.
The mornings warm up a little, the birds come back to the water, and you start seeing the first signs that the fish are waking up again.
For me, spring is one of the most enjoyable times of year to fish here.
Carp Moving Into the Margins
One of the first things I start watching for is carp moving closer to the banks.
Around Embalse de Orellana, the water warms earlier in the shallows, and that’s often where the fish start to appear after winter.
You’ll sometimes see them cruising slowly just under the surface early in the morning.
Those are the days that make you want to drop everything and get a line in the water.
Quieter Banks
Another thing I enjoy about spring fishing in Spain is that the reservoirs are still fairly quiet.
Summer can bring more anglers and tourists to the bigger lakes, but spring mornings often feel almost empty.
It’s not unusual to spend hours fishing without seeing anyone else along the bank.
That’s something I’ve grown to appreciate since moving here.
Black Bass Becoming Active
Spring is also when the black bass start to become more active again.
They’re a fascinating fish to target and behave quite differently from carp.
If the water temperature is right, bass fishing can suddenly come alive after a quiet winter.
I’ve had days where the first proper warm spell of the year completely changed the fishing overnight.
Longer Days on the Water
Perhaps the biggest change in spring is simply the longer daylight.
Winter fishing often means short sessions between cold mornings and early sunsets.
By spring the days stretch out again, and it’s possible to spend a full day by the reservoir without rushing.
Sometimes those long, slow days produce the best fishing.
Sometimes they don’t.
But they’re usually enjoyable either way.
A New Fishing Season
After several years living here, spring still feels like the beginning of a new fishing season.
The reservoirs start to wake up again, the fish begin moving, and there’s always that feeling that the next cast might produce something special.
And after a quiet winter, that’s something I always look forward to.
