Dottie and I flew to Madrid, Spain this month to visit Catherine, our oldest granddaughter, who is finishing a college semester abroad at a university there before she returns to finish her junior year at Claremont Mckenna College. To make it even more interesting, her other grandparents, Larry and Natalie Nonn, of Pleasonton, are also going. We’re sure Catherine has far more interesting things to do that entertain four grandparents, but she is graciously accepting our presence nevertheless.
Where ever I meander in the world, I always try to do research on where I could do some fly-fishing if for some reason I found the time. According to Pescatravel.com, a fishing travel company in Spain there are opportunities to fly-fish for trout with in one-day travel from Madrid on several rivers, including the Tormes, a freestone river that is known to have a healthy population of large brown trout.
But, knowing I wouldn’t have time for a such a lengthy side trip, I tried to find something that I might do out the backdoor of our VRBO apartment, which led me back to the World Street Fishing website. Yes, there is something called “street fishing.” It’s become a thing in many European cities, especially in France, England, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium. Unfortunately, I could not find any WSF information for Madrid.
But after we leave Madrid, we’re going to Paris, and I know there are lots of street anglers there.
Street fishing is defined as angling (in whatever water is available) in the middle of a city with traffic all around. You won’t see people in Orvis outfits, fishing vests and waders. Instead they’ll be dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts and walk, ride bikes or take the Paris Metro (subway) to their favorite spots along the Seine or any one of several canals that connect with it. They’ll be easy to spot among other Parisians because they’ll be carrying spinning rods and small satchels of lures.
According to some sources, they number in the thousands. The sport has become so popular that in 2014 a series of street fishing tournaments with paid sponsors, media coverage and valuable prizes were launched. Those tournaments continue today.
There is a long list of rules. The most important one is the fish must be caught in the urban areas indicated for the specific competition. Secondly, there is a strict no-kill (catch-and-release) policy. You are not allow to wade or fish from a boat, only from the bank.
French Touch Fishing, frenchtouchfishing.fr, a business based in Paris is the pioneer of Street Fishing. Born in Paris in the 2000s the sport has spread widely in Europe.
Every year, they organize a fishing tournament, the FTF Open in Paris.Unfortunately, it was held last month and I missed it. But it sounds like an exciting event.
Several hundred contestants fish along designated quays of the Seine, between two bridges, Pont de Bercy and Pont Mirabeau. It ends with a prize ceremony under the Eiffel Tower followed by an evening celebrating on a barge. Maybe next year.
There is an even more serious competition under the auspices of Angling Spirit (angling spirit.com), a company that owns, organizes and stages international events, including the World Street Fishing Championships, held this year in the Netherlands.
There was a time when I thought I had to travel to a faraway mountain stream to practice my favorite sport. Street fishing opens all kinds of new locations.
For more information, contact frenchtouchfishing.fr or worldsreetfishing.com.
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