The Freser rises on the granite peaks above Núria and runs south through the Ripollès gorge to join the Ter at Ripoll — cold freestone water, clear and fast, with the pocket structure that granite rivers produce and granite-country trout prefer. Wild brown trout hold behind every boulder; the fishing demands accuracy over distance, and the best approach is often upstream on your knees rather than from the bank. The valley is spectacular without being the kind of spectacular that makes you forget what you came to do. The fish are well-distributed and properly wild.

• Granite