Paco lives and works as a professional veterinarian in Gerona, Spain.  Although he works with all animals his most interesting specialty is breeding Coq de Leon.   There is no better authority that I know of.

The Ter River is within 5 minutes of his home and provides areas of good trout fishing.  On weekends and holidays he drives three hours west to his ancestors home in a small village called Gerri de La Sal, nestled in the Pirineos Mountains.  From his bed, or tying desk, he can see insects hatching and trout rising in the beautiful Noguera Pallaresa River. 

Pictured at left is Paco's friend Jordi, fishing the beautiful Noguera Pallaresa River.  Pictured below right is the town of Gerri de la Sal and an arrow points to Paco's ancestor's home.  Below that pcture is a closer picture of the Noguera Pallaresa River.

Paco remembers fishing when he was 5 years old by using the "guarnicion" method.  This is a traditional Spanish method of attaching three wet flies to a nylon line, with a ball float, and casting with a current (casting) rod.  He couldn't afford tackle because his mother was widowed and had to support 6 children, so he relied on finding guarnicions in tree branches that others had lost. 

In the afternoons he made a point to fish near the Priest because he fished from shore and lost a lot of guarnicions to trees in the water.  He would remember the location and return the next morning in his bathing costume, with a big knife to cut tree branches, and retrieved the rigs.

The local Priest furnished flies for many years.  Paco said he suspected the Priest was aware of his fly retrieval method and lost the rigs intentionally, or he was the worst fisherman on the river, which was not likely.  He regrets never confessing to the Priest even though he feels the Priest knew. 

Paco (holding trout above) said he gets his genetic fishing traits from his grandfather, who died while fishing the Noguera Pallaresa River.   He hoped that when his time came he too would leave this world as his grandfather did. 

Paco uses Coq de Leon to tie many different patterns.  One of his most creative accomplishments is the "Ugly Fly" method of tying dry flies.  It may not be attractive to some fly anglers but it certainly is attractive to trout.  The Ugly Fly method provides a very realistic fly on the water and has proven to be very effective.

Click Ugly Fly Instructions to learn how to tie them.  Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth so you may have to settle for regular dry fly hackle.  Be sure to choose the highest of quality stiff dry fly hackle with as much glossy appearance as possible.  The flies may not be as good as Indio Coq de Leon but likely better than traditionally tied dry flies, especially in still water to runs and even small riffles.

To purchase Coq de Leon please visit our store on-line at  http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html and select "Feathers" then Coq de Leon.