Stillwater · Mixed · Extremadura / Badajoz, ES

Embalse de La Serena

The dam face of La Serena reservoir with the broad reservoir behind it, Badajoz, Extremadura.
Prime · Carp
Hi-viz beetle · 10–12
Primelive now
Summer carp — prime fly-fishing conditions
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
83% confidence
What moved it
  • WindW 4 km/hCalm
Today's fly
HV
Hi-viz beetle10–12
Fish it tight to the bank on warm, breezy days.
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Calm
W 4 km/h
N
W
from the west
WaveFlat calm
Water temp18.4°C
Air temp18°C
CloudClear
Pressure1019 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Reservoir levelas of 24 Aug
┄ 33% 10-yr norm
▬ Steady
84% full
High & steady
▲+51 ptsvs seasonal norm
▲+21 ptsvs last year
▼-1 ptsthis week
Reservoir near full — settled fish across plenty of holding water.
How to fish it · for Carp
When
Carp are highly active in warm water, feeding confidently on the surface and in the shallows. This is the golden window for fly fishing — visible fish, aggressive feeding, surface takes. Dawn and dusk are magic.
Where
Peak season for carp on the fly. Early mornings and evenings are best — carp cruise the margins, surface-feed, and tail in shallows. This is pure sight-fishing: walk, spot, stalk, cast. Keep low, tread softly, wear drab clothing. 5-6wt rod, 15ft fluorocarbon leader for sub-surface; floating line for surface. Have both a bread fly and a nymph rigged and ready.
The plan
Plan A

Peak season for carp on the fly. Early mornings and evenings are best — carp cruise the margins, surface-feed, and tail in shallows. This is pure sight-fishing: walk, spot, stalk, cast. Keep low, tread softly, wear drab clothing. 5-6wt rod, 15ft fluorocarbon leader for sub-surface; floating line for surface. Have both a bread fly and a nymph rigged and ready.

Plan B

Fish early and late, try deeper during the heat of the day with a fast-sinking line.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Bank

Flat calm suits bank fishing near features — points, weed beds, and inflows where fish patrol.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Carp fly box
HV
Hi-viz beetle
10–12 · Terrestrial
Fish it tight to the bank on warm, breezy days.
WA
Winged ant
10–12 · Terrestrial
Fish it tight to the bank on warm, breezy days.
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Extremadura fishing licence required
  • Check current regulations for reservoir-specific rules.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
65%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 3
Embalse de Orellana
19 km
Barbel · Carp · Pike
Gredos foothills / Villanueva de la Serena area
50 km
Barbel · Carp
Embalse de Cíjara
51 km
Barbel · Carp
Gallery · 6
  1. The dam face of La Serena reservoir with the broad reservoir behind it, Badajoz, Extremadura.
    La Serena dam and reservoir
  2. Wide panoramic view across the open water of La Serena reservoir with dehesa shoreline.
    Embalse de La Serena
  3. Aerial photograph across La Serena reservoir, the broad open water and surrounding low hills.
    La Serena from the air
  4. La Serena reservoir seen from the Sierra de Lares ridge, wide open water and dehesa landscape.
    La Serena from the Sierra de Lares
  5. Aerial photograph of the joined expanse of La Serena and Orellana reservoirs, Badajoz.
    La Serena and Orellana from the air
  6. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • summer conditions with clear skies and calm wind.
  • Reservoir near full — settled fish across plenty of holding water.
Related guides
Big Stillwater Playbookreservoir tacticsReservoir Entomologymatching the hatchThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperature
Booking & contacts