Spate · Mixed · Gipuzkoa, País Vasco

Bidasoa

Bidasoa venue image
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A transnational border river between Spain and France, draining the western Pyrenees with classic mixed-geology spate character.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

River high but settled. Water still carrying colour. Heavier flies, settled lies.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for sea trout
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 8–15°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for sea trout
  • Temperature6128% weight
  • Flow9522% weight
  • Clarity8518% weight
  • Feeding Time5513% weight
  • Pressure857% weight
  • Prey Activity3812% weight
Conditions
Level
1.19 m
Water temp
6.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Clearing
Air temp
8°C
Wind
S 6 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1018 hPa
Rain · 48h
1.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
2.6 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for sea trout
When
From dusk into the first half of the night.
Where
Deeper pools and slower glides · hold water and current seams.
Method
Fish dark patterns on a sink-tip or lightly sunk line, especially near structure.
Kit
10 ft #6/7 rod, floating line with a sink-tip option, 8–10 lb fluoro tippet for the swing.
Why this works
Good conditions. Flow is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (38).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sea trout runRun
1
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

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

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Gipuzkoa fishing licence required
  • Bidasoa border-water rules, named beats, and any cross-border coordination matter more than old salmon-era assumptions, so check the exact section before travel.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

A transnational border river between Spain and France, draining the western Pyrenees with classic mixed-geology spate character. In modern practical fly-fishing terms, the Bidasoa should be treated as a trout-and-sea-trout river with strong heritage-salmon identity rather than as a realistic salmon-chasing destination. The 5-hour response time to rainfall still creates excellent post-spate windows, and the lower and middle sections around Bera remain the key structured water.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Sea trout1 May → 31 July
  • Troutthird Sunday of March → 31 July

Salmon: Heritage only (2026) — Heritage salmon river. In practical angling terms, salmon are not a target species — focus on trout and sea trout.

Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts