The River Ebro - Northern Spain Wells Catfish Silurus Glanis A hard fighting, distinctive fish with olive green flanks, yellow bellow, red eyes, and large paddle like fins. With two barbules on upper lip. The resident catfish in the UK have never reached the sizes of the wells catfish throughout mainland Europe. A 40lb British catfish is a very large fish for the UK. however, In mainland Europe the wells can reach much bigger sizes, and 100lb+ fish are quite common in countries such as Spain, Germany, and Russia. The full weight potential of the wells is largely unknown. There are long held rumours of 'giant' catfish in Russia, and it is thought that potentially the fish can grow up to 600lbs! There is little doubt however that the wells is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world.
The
River Ebro is located in Northern Spain. It rises in the Cantabrian
Mountains, and flows southeast for about 565 miles through rugged
scenery, and finally empties into the Mediterranean sea near Amposta.
In recent years, the River Ebro has become a
major target for dedicated catfish angler's, and is now Europe's
premier destination for large wells catfish, or 'siluro', as they
are known as in Spain. The valley and its surrounding area has
a warm arid climate, and the river supports thousands of carp
for the hungry 'Siluro' to feed on. Consequently, the Ebro cats
have a growth rate of ten to fifteen pounds per year, due to this
inexhaustible supply of food.
It would appear that the River Ebro has provided
the perfect environment for the Siluro to grow to its full potential,
and this venue has now produced many 100lb+ catfish to the travelling
angler.
I had, for a long time, held a burning ambition
to catch a large European catfish. But my foreign ambitions seeking
these species was never quite realised. However, my interest in
large catfish, was re-awakened, when I heard about the exploits
of angling guide, and catfish expert Martin Walker, of Catfish
Capers, who had been fishing a certain River Ebro in Spain. Telephone
calls were made, and I soon had a two week trip booked with ‘Catfish
Capers’, in the first two weeks of September 2003.
Martin’s track record for big cats on the Ebro is quite
staggering, and the results of my two week adventure in Spain
were impressive. I caught 26 catfish during the trip, including
4 100lb+ ‘Siluro’. With three 80lb+ fish, two 70lb+
fish, six 60lb+ fish, and seven 50lb+ fish.
