I have recently returned from a trip to Spain to study with David Arcay and Javi Lopez as an education package facilitated by Ivo Balinov at Smart Angling, as part of the World-Class Fly-Fishing School program.

Let me first start by saying the trip exceeded any expectations. I had by far, from top notch accommodations, food that was not only plentiful but beyond outstanding and education that is truly second to none. From the start, Ivo was exceptional, communication was clear and concise throughout all stage and leading up to the trip departure. This includes advance knowledge of fly patterns one should tie, instruction on tying materials required, gear to bring and right down to accommodating the various arrival and departure times for the eight people in our group from various parts of the world. 

From the moment we arrived at our first hotel in the city of Lugo, I already knew the trip was going to be an incredible experience. David and Javi met us for dinner on our first evening and walked through what the week's agenda would consist of and discussions on our personal goals regarding our fly angling.Both David and Javi are truly warm souls with a patience and fun personality to put anyone at ease.The Spanish are multi world champions for a reason, they are innovators in the sport at multiple levels and their ability to improve my angling was significant, small details with big improvements.

We fished five rivers across two different provinces in Spain, the province of Galicia, where home base was the town of Lugo, along with an overnight in Santiago di Compostela and the province of Leon and stayed in the city of Leon as home base. Each river was pristine with plentiful very picky trout to challenge the most seasoned fly angler. 

Our days start with both David and Javi breaking us into groups of two, spreading us out on various sections of the respected rivers of the day and collaborating with us individually, focusing on our discreet areas of improvements. Specifically on both Spanish style long line Nymphing and Spanish Style Dry fly-fishing, along with the various inter-techniques such as dry drop for either a nymphing set up or dry fly set up.

In each region we had many opportunities to take in the Spanish countryside beauty and the equally beautiful cities, weather it be dinners out, or simply while on a river to take it all in.

One of my memorable daily moments were the incredible shore lunches David and Javi would have ready after a long day’s fishing. David and Javi are masterful educators, that I feel any fly angler would benefit from and exceptional hosts. 

Something that significantly sets Smart Angling and Ivo, apart from other Fly Shops, is his ability to package highly specialized equipment with education, to maximize one’s ability to take full advantage of the equipment and anglers' potential. Whether in person education such as the trip I just returned from, or one of the many online courses offered, Ivo is consistently bringing the latest knowledge from the worlds leading Fly Anglers to their customers.

In closing, I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, I’ve comeback from this trip as an improved fly angler with memories that will last a lifetime and made wonderful new fiends. To Ivo, thank you and keep pushing the boundaries of excellence. I am already looking forward to the next one.

Marco Petraglia

October 3, 2024