The Esqueiro is a slate-country spate river responding fully to Cantabrian rainfall. The upper reaches are step-pool slate pocket water; the descent is rapid. The water is amber-colored throughout. The Esqueiro maintains its steep, responsive character throughout its reach. The wading demands care; the river's simplicity and responsiveness define its character.

Wading: Slick wet slate slabs at step lips

In the mountain-to-sea trout rivers of Asturias, olives and other mayflies do much of the work in spring whenever levels and colour allow, followed by strong evening caddis and steady buzzer life through early and mid-summer, with terrestrials and mixed surface food from wooded, pastoral banks rounding out the diet whenever flows drop back into safe wading range.