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We opted for the 6 days mixed fishing for carp and cats in July 2007. Richie picked us up from the airport bang on time on the first day and drove us, via the supermarket, to our accomodation in Torrente De Cinca, a very quiet and picturesque village just outside Mequinenza. The house was excellent and had everything you could need which made a good base. The day we arrived we didn't do any fishing so we took the chance to prepare for the week ahead and have a few beersand a swim in the local pool. Our first days carp fishing was full of frantic action on one of Richies favourite summer pegs, with run after run and managed to bank a personal best common of 26lbs. Having lost a big cat fish on the first cast ( it felt like being hooked into a submarine ) i was also chuffed to bag a big moggie at around the 100lb mark. The cat fish were not really playing ball when targeting them specifically on a couple of sessions so Paul and I were more than happy to head back to the first days swim for more rod bending carp action. On the following few days of carp fishing both Paul and I banked more PB"s the biggest of which going 34lbs and losing even bigger fish during the frantic fight in which they gave. All in all we had banked well over 50 carp ( i lost count after 30 ) most of which topping the 20lb mark. Our thanks to Natalie who looked after us really well with helping us book and sort out the things we needed to take. We also enjoyed the superb packed lunches she prepared daily for us, excellent value for money ! Also thanks to Richie who put us on to some fantastic fishing and provided much amusement throughout the week. You guys make a great team, and made our holiday one to remember. We will both be seeing you again in the future. All the best Jim & Paul. Carl Smith and Dave Jones. Just to say Richard and Natalie thank you both for an unforgetable fishing holiday. The accommodation was superb and the time and effort that you put in was more than what we both expected. The fishing as you know was absolutely mind blowing. It was over a week before i stopped aching but i felt better every time i looked at the photos. 4 cats over 200lb in one day was amazing, the biggest going 226lb what a lump ! I can't wait to come over again. Seriously though, thank you for everything and see you again next year. Jamie and Ady We contacted Rich last Christmas regarding a trip out to the Ebro for a mixed week of carp and cat fishing, which we planned for September 2005. After speaking with Rich on a few ocassions, we realised that he was a genuine guy, and his angling knowledge was truly professional in every way. Our holiday was booked and our expectations were running high. After meeting Rich at the airport, we were taken to Mequinenza which would be our base for the following week. After settling in, and after a long awaited lunch, and a much needed drink, Rich gave us a tour of the river in his boat, and checked out a few swims he had on the go, with a bit of top up bait in each one. Rich is a bag full of knowledge when it comes to the different swims on the river, showing us what swims produced fish at different times of the year, and which swims don't. He made us feel at ease with his knowledge on trapping his prey. We returned to the bar for a beer and a discussion on the following days fishing, and where to start our Ebro session. We couldn't decide, and left it totally in Richies hands. Start on the carp was his advice, we took it in confidence. On the Sunday morning , with boat loaded for the day, we made our way to our "selected by Rich" swim. Our stall was set, and half an hour after placing the rods in the pod, and clipping up, Jams right hand rod gave a twitch and arched over to the right. First fish up on the bank was a thirty six and three quarter pound Ebro common, a cracking start. That was how that half of the week panned out, with the biggest of the fish knocking 45 pound and ten ounces, with a total of 32 carp. We were buzzing, and couldn't wait to get into some hard fighting Ebro cats the next day. With everyone on the pellets, and not many larger fish being taken, Rich decided to give live baiting a go. The baits were placed and we sat amongst some of the most tranquil and stunning scenery on offer in Europe. That was soon broken as the water out in front of us erupted, with a Daiwa 9 foot cat rod arching over violently, and the multiplyer giving line, as the cat powered off to make it's stand in the deeper water. After a good hard scrap, Rich skillfully gloved the now shattered cat fish. It went 142 on the scales. That half of the week produced, in our eyes the most exciting fishing we had ever experienced, and honestly couldn't have spent it with a better bloke. A true ambassador to the art of guiding, and I hate to gloat about him but he is, awesome at his game. In total we bagged a crazy amount of carp, but the icing on the cake for us was a 194 lb cat fish that almost tore the arms from Jam's sockets. This came in a total of eight cat fish for our cat fish session. If we were to say that this guy is good at his job it would be an understatement, he is superb. He conducts himself in a way which is almost military. With his teaching skills, his humour and wit and along with his true professionalism, you will have the time of your lifes !! Cheers for an unforgetable session Rich, and we will be seeing you very, very soon. Jam & Ady Richard Frankcam and Family Just a few words to say thanks for a great fishing holiday. Ann enjoyed relaxing by the pool, while the rest of us enjoyed the great fishing, your guiding was excellent and it was a pleasure to fish with someone as knowledgeable and pleasant as yourself. We thought that the apartment was very good and met all our needs. Thanks once again for a great time and can't wait to see you all again next year. Bob, Kath & Toni-Louise We have just returned from our second trip to the River Ebro in Spain. Both times we've booked up with Richard & Natalie of Ebro Angling Tours and each time it just gets better. Once again Richard helped me better my PB by catching a cracking 35lb 10oz common (that was also the day I didn't take my camera). The accommodation and good company were only bettered by the fishing. Richards help and knowledge of the Ebro system is second to none. Top lad and top fishing. Ruth and Carl Hudson Ruth and I set off for the Ebro for the first time in March this year. Our trip was inspired by watching "The Carp Show" on a cold November evening in 2004, featuring Richard and Rob Hughes. After a little research, I found Richards web site and gave him a call. Right from the off, Richard was helpful and after a short discussion, we were inspired to book our first trip abroad in pursuit of carp. Like all Ebro virgins, we had imagined what it would be like and we were not disappointed. Richard picked us up from the airport, and after the drive to Mequinenza, we got our first sight of the place. I guess the first thing that hit us was the sheer scale of the fishing possibilities. We were used to fishing small venues in Scotland. The Ebro is a vast expanse and as such the guides knowledge of the water is essential. We had already been in touch with Richard as to what terminal tackle we needed, everything else is laid on, (top quality tackle, transport, apartments, packed lunches, bait etc ) and on the first mornings fishing it took only about half an hour before Ruth had her first 30 in the net. During the week, we both set new PB's. At one point we simply could not get the rods out fast enough, the action was hectic. The week flew by, an amazing experience which we could not wait to repeat. We realised how lucky we had been in selecting Richard as a guide. Selecting a guide can be hit and miss, believe us, there are some really bad ones who will take your money and just dump you in a swim and let you get on with it, with no help or clue even if the fish are there, (we met a few of their disappointed charges during the week). Like we said earlier the Ebro is big and the fish move about. On the first visit, it was obvious that Richard was an accomplished angler who really cared for his guests, working hard to put us onto the fish, by both finding them (using his boat) and assisting us with rigs and tackle choice. Both Ruth and I were not the experienced anglers one might expect, yet Richard helped us come to terms with the fishing on offer and helped us get the most from the holiday. Ebro Angling Tours keeps the groups small and personal, allowing you to get the utmost out of your fishing holiday. As a bonus, the apartments are excellent, clean and friendly, although you don't actually spend a lot of time in them. When we returned home, our fishing had improved massively, thanks to Richard. On the second visit we thought we knew what to expect, but yet again it exceeded our expectations and Richard went out of his way to find the fish and make our holiday exceptional. We did even better on this trip, building on the previous experience. The quality of the fish was superb, with Ruth even bagging a couple of the smaller Ebro cats, as a bonus (65lb each), and the quality and fight of the carp we caught was second to none. Yet again Richard and Natalie were fantastic hosts, making sure we just had the fishing to worry about. The packed lunches hit the spot everyday and a great time was had. We would recommend Ebro Angling Tours to anyone. Yet again our fishing has improved, but better than that we will be out again in April. We can't wait and are counting the days ! Ruth and Carl, Scottish Carp Group Members. Steve & Sarah Glover There are certain fish you just have to catch if you are an avid and keen angler, and for us it was the catfish. Having done our research, and funds permitted, the river Ebro in Spain was our choice of destination. Having never been to the river Ebro before it was very pot luck on the tour we chose, and booking a holiday on a website doesn't really give a full and detailed idea of whether it's the holiday for you or not. But, we can honestly say without a doubt, we chose well. Having been on the Ebro for two weeks you get talking to other anglers and holiday makers, and the horror stories start being told of how some people have been treated on what is probably their only holiday of the year. Richard Davies of Ebro Angling Tours is a passionate fisherman himself and therefore cares about the enviroment, and truely goes out of the way to make your holiday a good one. He is a good and funny bloke, but he is not god and can't throw the fish on your hooks, but my goodness doesn't he work hard to create the perfect swim. His knowledge of the water is second to none, and his care and teaching skills in catching these creatures was without a doubt first class. It just so happens that our two weeks was excellent, and our dream of catching a catfish far exceeded our expectations. With boat loads of carp to thirty pound plus, which beat my personal best and nine catfish ranging from two babies to 132lb, and the absolute icing on the cake was a 180lb monster. Flashy brouchures and gimmicks are all well and good, but personal recommendation is by far the best, and ours is certainly Richard Davies of Ebro Angling Tours. Paul Stevens and John Richards Great Accomodation, great food with the most excellent hospitality we have encountered. The fishing was top class with a large amount of specimen cats and carp taken on a mixed week fishing for both species. All in all, a brilliant week of top fishing and relaxation. Thanks to Richard and Natalie we had a brilliant week, and will be returning in 2007 with our week already booked before we even left ! Thanks again .
Kelvin Huxley, Sam Ellerton and Paul Hughes. Our trip began with searching the internet for guiding companies on the river Ebro. After talking to both Rich and Natalie at Ebro Angling Tours, our minds were made up as to whom would be our guide for the week. We opted for the mixed week of carp and cat fishing, which was divided into three days fishing for each. During the cat fishing session, Richie stayed with us for the whole duration of our eight hour session. These hours we can tell you are more than enough fishing for these hard fighting river fish, because when you hook them, boy do they give you a fight of your life. Richie certainly works hard for his clients, and after talking to other anglers during our week we were over the moon that we had made an excellent choice. We all went away on cloud nine, and all took cats over the 100lb mark, with the biggest going to Sam at 186lb. The carp fishing was also brilliant with carp being caught up to 41lb 5oz. The food that Natalie prepared for us daily was second to none. Thanks from us all for a brilliant week, and we will see you in 2007 for some more . Jorgen & Hans Nielsen, Esbjerg, Denmark Greetings from Denmark. Having watched some of the magnificent shows displayed on Discovery channel including those starring John Wilson and Matt Hayes etc, our minds were made up. We had to go and take a closer look and feel the same excitement as others had done before us. Unfortunately our first trip ( supposed to commence in 2005 ) had to be cancelled within weeks due to unforseen work commitments. But luckily another window of opportunity emerged in May 2006. With little time for planning, we simply forwarded a request for guiding and accomodation to some of the guiding companies we could find on the internet. Within 10 - 15 minutes we had a reply from Natalie, Richard's long term partner. From minute one until our arrival at the cosy town of Mequinenza, she was the one who provided us with all the information needed and acted very professionally as a callaborator regarding our trip. With the comfort she gave us our decision was easy, and her partner Richard, ended up being the guy who guided us during our stay in Mequinenza. He showed out to be a very polite, patient and beside everything, a very professional guide. Regardless, our demands (such as luxurious packed lunches from Natalie) and our lack of language proficiencies he always met us with his everlasting smile. The equipment with which we were provided with from Ebro Angling Tours, was of first class. Boat, rods, sounders, rod pods, nets as well as bait. We had absolutely nothing to worry about and that also goes for the airport pick up, accommodation and the overall service in general. Our encounter with Natalie and Richard of Ebro Angling Tours was a total success that by far exceeded our expectations. The fishing for cat fish was superb and during two forenoon sessions, we caught 16 cat fish with five being over the 100lb mark. The biggest was a very nice one with a weight of 110lbs. Unfortunately we didn't have the same success with the carp. We tried (unguided) several different swims pointed out by Richard and also spent some time just down in front of the apartment, but the carp were spawning at full steam and didn't pay much attention to our bait. On the carp front, we caught six at around 20lbs. For those of you who are in the first steps of planning a trip to the compelling banks of the River Ebro our recommendation would definitely by Ebro Angling Tours. And with the support of Richard and Natalie, you will be far from disappointed. Unfortunately we are no longer there, but our memories remain. However, we can assure you that we will be back, and the guiding will definitely be done by Ebro Angling Tours. Dave Fenton, Simon Dwyer, Phil Jevons and Tony Cleeton. Hi guys. Sorry this has taken us a while to get this over to you, but you know that work takes priority for us at the moment. It' was a pleasure to meet some fantastic people during our fishing trip . As soon as we met Richie, we could see that he was a genuine guy, and that goes for you also Natalie. The amount of effort that you both put into your service for us was second to none. We have been on more than our fair share of guided fishing trips, but this trip outshone the rest by a long way. You are a definite credit to yourselves, and no, we are not after a frebbie holiday !! The winter carping was a big sucess, with our biggest of the trip weighing almost forty two pounds, and a total of seventeen fish for the week. Once again, thankyou both for the superb hospitality, and hope to see you soon in January 2009. Thanks again for the packed lunches Natalie, fantastic. From a very happy Dave, Simon, Phil and Tony.
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