The river Seixe flows into the Atlantic ocean at the Praia de Odexeice, between the regions of Algarve and the Alentejo.

A few hundred meter from the mouth the river has amazing emerald color and crystal water. It is known for holding good stock of sea-bass and mullet, during low tide this latter is the only targetable fish.

Shoals of mullet are feeding on some pasture among the rocks or perhaps on algae. Impossible to say on what they are so busy, all my attempts with small nymphs, gammarus or weed PATTERNS are disregarded.

I have some bread with me and, after soaking it, I try to throw some discreet pieces into the water. Most of 'grazing' fish do not bother it, but some start to taste it. I mount a deer hair bread fly, but in spite of some shy half bite, they do not get fooled by it.

A couple of kilometers upstream. Here there is an amazing amount of fish. The bottom glitters with mullet in a frantic search of something between the interstices of the stones and the aquatic herbs.

Some mullet are also swimming on the surface, filtering the water for microscopic nourishment. I throw a small piece of soaked bread and shortly after, a shoal intercepts it and starts to carousal in feeding frenzy.

I replace the deer hair fly with a soft marabou magic molly, the fly floats for a few seconds before getting soaked and working under the surface and .. strike the first mullet is hooked !

Now it is incredible, I have a bite at any cast, but they are very cautious and prompt to spit, only every three or four strikes a fish is outwitted.

There is no need to throw a lot of bread to keep the fish in activity, actually the less the better. I am fishing a bit oversized with an 8 weight rod, but even if the fish are not that sized, they put up impressive fights.

Considering the tenacious fight it is better not to go too thin with the leader, I have used a 0.18 fluorocarbon.

In the large deep pool there are big fishes that are even more suspicious and careful. The big advantage of the slow current is that a piece of bread remains in play for a very long time.

The fly that did the job ! A tribute to it.
To fish the freshwater or the saltwater two different licenses are required in Portugal. They are relatively cheap and affordable and it is easy to get them. Contrary to what reported on some pages on the internet, for non locals it is not possible to purchase the licenses via the ATM, find in the next page a list of public offices where one can buy freshwater license

The clerks were in my experience very friendly and helpful and will drive you through the process that will take no more than five minutes. You will need your passport.
For the salt water license there are other offices. Below a list for fresh water licenses in Portugal (Find full list at ICNF site)

CITY and ADDRESS

Alcácer do Sal EN 5 - Edificio da Associação de Regantes 7580 - 103 Alcácer do Sal 265 610 338 dcnfale@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Alcochete Av. dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra, 1 2890 - 015 Alcochete 212 348 021 rnet@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Aveiro Rua da Anadia - Apartado 330 3811 - 901 Aveiro 234 403 980 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30
Beja Rua S. Sebastião 7800 - 298 Beja 284 389 544 dcnfale@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Braga Av. António Macedo 4704 - 538 Braga 253 203 480 dcnfn@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Castro Marim Sapal de Venta Moinhos - Apartado 7 8950 - 285 Castro Marim 281 531 257 rnscm@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 16:30
Coimbra Mata Nacional do Choupal 3000 - 611 Coimbra 239 007 260 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30
Évora Rua Tenente Raúl Andrade, 1 7000 - 613 Évora 266 737 370 dcnfale@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 16:30
Figueira da Foz Rua 10 de Agosto, nº 2 3080 - 053 Figueira da Foz 233 402 780 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30
Lagos Edificio Multifunções - Largo do Infantário - Chinicato 8600 - 306 Lagos 282 402 320 dcnfalg@icnf.pt
Lisboa Av. da República, 16 1050 - 191 Lisboa 213 507 900 icnf@icnf.pt 9:30 às 12:30 e das 13:30 às 16:30
Lousã Rua Professor Correia Seixas, nº 22 3200 - 219 Lousã 239 990 010 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30
Manteigas Rua 1.º de Maio, 2 6260 - 101 Manteigas 275 980 060 pnse@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30
Odemira Rua Serpa Pinto, 32 7630 - 174 Odemira 283 322 735 pnsacv@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Olhão Parque Natural da Ria Formosa - Centro de Educação Ambiental de Marim - Quelfes 8700 - 194 Olhão 289 700 210 pnrf@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Portalegre Rua Augusto César de Oliveira Tavares, 23 - R/C 7300 - 126 Portalegre 245 309 189 dcnfale@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Porto - Senhora da Hora Est. Exterior da Circunvalação, 11846 4460 - 281 Senhora da Hora 220 028 573 dcnfn@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Rio Maior R. Dr. Augusto César Silva Ferreira 2040 - 215 Rio Maior 243 999 480/7 pnsac@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Santarém CNEMA - Quinta das Cegonhas - Apartado 59 2001 - 901 Santarém 243 306 530 dcnflvt@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Sertã Rua Vila de Rei, n.º 62 6100 - 707 Sertã 274 601 900 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Setúbal Praça da República 2900 - 587 Setúbal 265 541 140 pnarr@icnf.pt 9:00 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Sintra Av. Barão Almeida Santos, n.º 10 2710 - 525 Sintra 219 247 200 pnsc@icnf.pt 9:30 às 12:30 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Vila Real Parque Florestal 5000 - 567 Vila Real 259 330 400 dcnfn@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:00
Viseu Rua Cónego António Barreiros - Quinta do Soqueiro 3500 - 093 Viseu 232 427 510 dcnfc@icnf.pt 9:00 às 13:00 e das 14:00 às 17:30