Asturias, Spain – 28th September-4th October

The 10th FIPS-Mouche Masters World Fly Fishing Championships (for competitors aged over 50) was held in Asturias, Spain, from 28th September-4th October 2025.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Australia – Belgium – Czech Republic – England – Finland – France – Ireland – Italy – Netherlands – South Africa – Spain – USA

AT Team England FF was represented by: Tony Baldwin, Alan Clark, Jay Curry, Bernie Maher & Mark Withyman (captain/manager)

PROGRAMME

Day 1 – Sunday, Sept 28, 2025
10:00am-12:00pm: Registration at the Hotel
3:00pm: Captains’ Meeting & Draw
6:00pm: Opening Ceremony
9:00pm: Opening Dinner at the Hotel

Day 2 – Monday Sept 29, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm: Session on the Rivers
10:00-11:00am: 1st Session on Lake
11:15am-12:15pm: 2nd Session on Lake
12:30-1:30pm: 3rd Session on Lake
1:45-2:45pm: 4th Session on Lake
9:00pm: Dinner at Hotel

Day 3 – Tuesday Sept 30, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm: Session on the Rivers
10:00-11:00am: 1st Session on Lake
11:15am-12:15pm: 2nd Session on Lake
12:30-1:30pm: 3rd Session on Lake
1:45-2:45pm: 4th Session on Lake
9:00pm: Dinner at Hotel

Day 4 – Wednesday Oct 1, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm: Session on the Rivers
10:00-11:00am: 1st Session on Lake
11:15am-12:15pm: 2nd Session on Lake
12:30-1:30pm: 3rd Session on Lake
1:45-2:45pm: 4th Session on Lake
9:00pm: Dinner at Hotel

Day 5 – Thursday Oct 2, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm: Session on the Rivers
10:00-11:00am: 1st Session on Lake
11:15am-12:15pm: 2nd Session on Lake
12:30-1:30pm: 3rd Session on Lake
1:45-2:45pm: 4th Session on Lake
9:00pm: Dinner at Hotel

Day 6 – Friday Oct 3, 2025
10:00am-2:00pm: Session on the Rivers
10:00-11:00am: 1st Session on Lake
11:15am-12:15pm: 2nd Session on Lake
12:30-1:30pm: 3rd Session on Lake
1:45-2:45pm: 4th Session on Lake
7:00pm: Closing Ceremony
8:00pm: Closing Banquet

Day 7 – Saturday Oct 4, 2025
Breakfast & Departure

RESULTS

Session 1

England started the competition with a 4th place for Bernie Maher on the River Trubia with 6 fish, a 6th for Alan Clark on the River Piloña, Piloña, and a 10th= place for Jay Curry on the River Caudal, Morcin. On the River Caudal, Mieres, and on the River Pilona, Parres, Tony Baldwin and Mark Withyman both failed to catch. England were lying in 11th place out of 12 teams with 44 placing points. Spain were leading the team rankings with 9 placing points, ahead of France on 16pts, and Italy on 22pts. Ireland were 6th with 35 placing points.

Session 2

The second session saw Tony Baldwin catch two fish on the River Piloña, Parres, for 7th place, while Mark Withyman came 10th on the River Trubia, Trubia, and Alan Clark 11th on the River Caudal, Mieres. Jay Curry was one of three anglers to blank on the River Piloña, Piloña, while Bernie Maher also failed to catch on the River Caudal, Morcin. England remained in 11th place with 96 placing points, while Ireland moved up to 4th with 57pts, behind Italy 3rd on 40pts, France 2nd with 39pts and Spain 1st on 27pts. Jose Manuel Socastro Gens (Spain) led the Individual rankings with 2 placing points, one ahead of Juan Miguel Barrienties (Spain) on 3pts, and Stephane Poirrot (France) also on 3pts.

Session 3

Mark Withyman won his group in the third session with nine fish on the River Caudal, Morcin, while Tony Baldwin came 9th on the River Trubia, Trubia, with Bernie Maher 10th= on the River Piloña, Piloña. Jay Curry and Alan Clark both failed to catch on the River Caudal, Mieres and the River Piloña, Parres. England remained in 11th place with 140 placing points, while Ireland dropped to 5th place, despite a section win for Campbell Baird on the River Piloña, Parres. Spain continued to dominate the Team rankings, with 37pts for 1st place, ahead of Italy 2nd with 60pts and France 3rd on 62pts. Individually, Jose Manuel Socastro Gens (Spain) added another section win to his tally to remain in 1st place with 3 placing points, with Juan Jose De La Fuente (Spain) 2nd on 4pts, ahead of Pat Weiss (USA) in 3rd and Juan Miguel Barrienties (Spain) 4th, both on 5pts.

Session 4

Mark Withyman followed his win in the last session with another 1st place, this time on the River Piloña, Piloña, while Tony Baldwin came 7th on the River Caudal, Morcin, and Alan Clark 9th on the River Trubia, Trubia. Bernie Maher and Jay Curry both failed to catch, on the River Caudal, Mieres, and the River Piloña, Parres. England remained in 11th position with 181 placing points, while Ireland stayed at 5th with 120pts. Spain continued to lead the competition with 57pts, with Italy 2nd on 81pts, just one ahead of France in 3rd. Jose Manuel Socastro Gens and Juan Jose De La Fuente (Spain) were both contesting the two top individual places, with 6 placing points each, with Pat Weiss (USA) 3rd with 8pts.

Session 5

A better performance by England saw a 2nd place for Bernie Maher, with four fish, on the River Piloña, Parres, while Mark Withyman came 3rd on the River Caudal, Mieres, Alan Clark was 4th on the River Caudal, Morcin, and Tony Baldwin 5th on the River Piloña, Piloña, Even though Jay Curry failed to catch on the River Trubia, Trubia, England were the 4th best performing team in the session, which pushed them up into 9th place for the competition with 207 placing points, with Ireland 5th with 158pts. Spain are the 2025 World Master Team Champions with 74 placing points, with France 2nd with 90pts and Italy 3rd with 107pts. The Individual Champion is Juan Jose De La Fuente (Spain) with 9 placing points, one ahead of his team-mate Jose Manuel Socastro Gens on 10pts, with Pat Weiss (USA) 3rd, also on 10pts.

SECTORS

Sector 1. River Piloña, Piloña

The Río Piloña, in the municipality of Piloña in Asturias, is considered one of the more famous trout rivers in the region and offers good fly-fishing prospects. The river includes several designated trout fishing beats, some under “traditional” rules (where fish may be kept) and others under catch and release. These beats vary in length, often a few kilometres, and are restricted in numbers of lines or rods, especially in the more prized stretches. As far as gear, lighter fly rods are well suited, especially when fishing smaller nymphs or emergers in clear pools. Dry fly fishing is also possible under certain rules or in appropriate stretches.
Target Fish Species: Brown Trout

Sector 2. River Caudal, Mieres

Fly-fishing on the Río Caudal near Mieres in Asturias offers anglers a unique blend of urban accessibility and natural beauty. Formed by the confluence of the Aller and Lena rivers, the Caudal flows for just over 20kms before joining the Nalón, with about 14kms running through Mieres. While stretches close to town show signs of mining history and concrete embankments, upstream reaches and less developed banks are lined with willows, alders, and ash trees that provide shade, insect life, and good cover for trout. Light tackle—rods in the 4-6 weight range—is ideal, with small mayfly, caddis, and midge imitations or weighted nymphs for deeper runs. Mornings and evenings, when trout feed more actively, are often most productive
Target Fish Species: Brown Trout

Sector 3. River Piloña, Parres

The Río Piloña near Parres (Arriondas) offers fly-fishing opportunities that combine scenic beauty, good fish populations and a varied river structure. The Piloña is tributary to the Sella, flowing from its source in Piloña and Nava through Parres, finally joining the Sella in Arriondas. The flow is quite seasonal, with modest discharge in summer but potential for much higher water after rainfall.
Fly-anglers will find a mix of river features: riffles and runs, deeper pools, gravel beds and vegetated banks, particularly upstream. Gear-wise, lightweight tackle (rods in the 4-6 wt range) works well. Dry flies and emergers are effective during insect hatches; small nymphs are useful in deeper water and when clarity drops. Best fishing tends to occur early morning or toward dusk.
Target Fish Species: Brown Trout

Sector 4. Trubia River

Fly-fishing on the Río Trubia near Trubia, Asturias offers a mix of pristine mountain waters, strong conservation, and opportunity for serious anglers. The Trubia, a tributary of the Nalón, runs through municipalities such as Quirós, Proaza, Santo Adriano and Oviedo, rising high in the mountains and flowing through terrain that alternates between steep gradient riffles, deeper pools, and well-covered riparian zones. Flow can be quite variable: when rains are heavy upstream, water rises and turbidity increases, making heavier flies or subsurface tactics more effective. During calmer and clearer periods, stealth, presentation, and using lightweight tackle (4-6 wt rods) are advantageous.
Target Fish Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

Sector 5. River Caudal, Morcín

Fly-fishing the Río Caudal around Morcín in Asturias offers a somewhat different feel compared with more trafficked stretches near Mieres. Morcín lies higher, and the river and its tributaries in this area tend to run through more rugged terrain, with steeper gradients, forested slopes, and less industrial modification. This often means cleaner water, more natural habitat, and potentially more challenging but rewarding fishing. In terms of gear, lighter fly rods (around 4-6 weight) are again appropriate; stealth is important upstream where water is clearer and pools more confined. Early morning and late in the day are the best times.
Target Fish Species: Brown Trout

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