L'Aubisque, thanks to D. Arbacett

Read also - Travels with a fly rod in the Pyrenees ... by Mark. D. Williams - From an article published in The Angling Report of September 2001- Click here to open

Béarn

Salmon on the Gave d'Oloron

A traditionnal Hotel in Béarn In the center of a small distinguished old market town by the Gave d'Oloron. An impressive emerald green powerful wide river with the snowy Pyrenees making background decor. A journey with the "ghosts" of legendary salmon anglers of the golden age. Unfortunately salmon themselves are a bit "ghosty". But the historical "pools" can still be fly fished with good chances on some of the biggest wild trouts. The most optimistic will think that there are so many beautiful things to see, places to go for a walk, stunning meals to do, that you can dry your "salmon tears". Those who were in age to handle a rod between the 30's and the 50's, will bitterly realise that there was an sportsman's paradise on earth and for some reason they missed it !

Lemon Grey queen fly for the Gave d'Oloron

Situation - Junction -

From Paris, approx 750km. Access directly by car or better by train to Bayonne or plane to Biarritz or Pau. Nearest Big city, Pau 40km, Bayonne 70km.

Touring

Basque mountain and Béarn valleys. The villages and river bank towns around, with their churches and castels are fantastic. The basque villages are unique. We have many recommended addresses of little picturesque and unforgettable restaurants. You may also visit vineyards or cellars at Jurançon or Irouléguy.

Fishing

Miles of public stretches run by local fishing society. Fishing period trout March 15 to September 20. Best period, mid-June, early-July. Brown trout are sometimes quite big.

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Le Gave d'Oloron must be fished with wading pants and felt soles. Landscape is a flat valley with high mountains starting right away. There are other narrower rivers you can fly fish around if you want to visit more. We are currently working with a very nice professional guide. Hiring him obviously increases your chances of success.

Le Gave à Peyrehorade

Riverside picnics & Gastronomie

In front of your hotel are two of the best "charcuteries" in France. Dry ham Jambon de Bayonne, pâtés, saucissons, hot and cold dishes.... once you walk into the shop, if you don't take care, you'll need to buy another wicker creel to carry all the food you've bought ! All right you're a Gourmet, but don't forget you're also a sportsman ! Tackle shop is in same town, same street.

The Hotel is an old distinguished house on a little place of a small charming town. The town itself offers attractive shopping. Once you take your car, the sightseeing destinations are countless. The meals at the hotel are gorgeous well in traditional style of Béarn & Pays Basque. Other good tables in the neighbourhood... are countless !

Accomodations - Béarn - Gave d'Oloron -A- Quaint hotel Average price for a double room at -A- 38 euros -

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Ariège Two valleys Vallée du Salat et Vallée d'Orlu Deep valleys, great smoky mountains, climbing roads, beautiful torrents. At the end of the road a circus of snowy peaks and a great village of 13 souls ! When you reach the village you can't go farther with the car but there is a charming warm tiny hotel. Take a rest, tomorrow is a hard day of cold waters, and slippery boulders. But you could'nt be much better than here. Vallée du Salat Situation - Junction From Paris, approx 900 km. Access by train or plane to Toulouse, Perpignan or Foix where you can rent a car. The nearest big city is Saint Girons, at a bit more than half an hour by road. Touring The villages of Ariège, the old town Saint Girons, peaks, passes and landscapes of the Pyrenees. Foix and its Castle and pre-historical vestiges of the cave of Niaux. Fishing On miles of rivers and torrents found within rather short distance. A few remote altitude lakes are also available like in valley of Bethmale. The trout season runs from March 15 to September 20. Runoff may affect April and May. The early and late summer -September- are excellent. Lakes There is a couple of nice altitude lakes where trout and brook-trout can be either fly fished or attempted with light spinning. Light spinning & Au Toc -natural bait- fishing... If you go for these techniques rather than the fly, this place is for you. It is even easier to find a professional guide for the Au Toc technique than for fly fishing. Locals like fly fishing but a lot of them are addicted "au toc". "Au toc", is the particular baitfishing used in mountain streams of France. It is a very attractive and fine way of fishing. A great Pyrenean culture. Guiding: See § above ! It is easier to find a professional guide for the Au Toc technique than for fly fishing. However you can easily fish on your own following our explanations as well as the indications given by your hotel landlord (who is a keen fly fisherman). Accomodation Our favourite hotel offers excellent service and cuisine for an incredible price. The rooms are not very big but offer all necessary comfort. It is situated in the mountain, with stunning view on the Pyrenees, and near one the best rivers you can fish. Deluxe alternative available in the valley, there is an awarded relais gastronomique in Saint Girons. Grand cuisine ! very nice rooms ! and top quality service. Still the prices are excellent for this standard of quality.

Accomodations - Ariège - Salat -A- Sporting hotel -B- Relais gastronomique - Average price for a double room at -A- 30 euros -B- 100 euros -

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Ariège

Valley of Orlu

Sleeping at mountain shelters

Orlu is the name of a prestigious game reservation - Réserve Naturelle- in France. It hosts some of the rarest fauna you could find in France. Falcon, hawk, eagle, Isard (chamois), mountain goat (Ibex), mufflon, deer, mountain grouse, capercailie, vulture (vautour fauve and gypaete barbu) and of course our usual roedeers and wild-boars. Public may walk inside reservation and use binoculars and long range cameras. It is not a zoo though ! it requires many efforts to observe these animals. Fishing In the Vallée d'Orlu is found a very nice river, completed by a choice of lakes that you can reach after a hike of approximately (exactly), 3h15 ! Altitude 1970 m, but the walk presents no difficulty. Fishing can be very nice up there on lake trout and native brook trout. However due to the hike and the fact that the fishing can keep you quite late on the water, it is recommended to only do this if you intend to spend a night on the spot. Locals like fly fishing but lot of them are addicted on trout "au toc". "Au toc", is the particular baitfishing used in mountain streams in France. Accomodation. There are shelters near the lakes, called refuges, operated like cheap mountain inns where you find dormitory beds, and good food. There is also, a nice hotel restaurant in the valley. This one offers both rooms and dormitories plus excellent good value meals. Dogs are not accepted.

Accomodations - Ariège - Orlu - Mountain shelter (refuges) - Average prices at the refuge (50 beds). Big dining room with fireplace. Night around 10 euros. - Half board (Night + Dinner) 30 euros - Breakfast. 5 euros - Packed lunch : 8 euros

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Spanish Pyrenees,

Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra.

Catalonia, Alto Ribagorçana

Valleys of the Spanish Pyrenees

Navarra Rio Irati.

The river fished by Ernest Hemingway when he was attending the Sanfermines in Pamplona, in the 20's.

Aragon Rios Cinca & Ara.

Two wonderful rivers near national parks of Ordesa and Monte Perdido

Cataluña high valleys

Vall de Boï and Vall Fosca with help of a local guide.

To discover these valleys, click here or find Spain in the list of destinations on the left of your screen.

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Sea Fishing Arrantzaleak - Tuna trolling in the gulf of Biscaye The ship departs from the port of Ciboure / Saint Jean de Luz, and cruises off the Spanish coast. One night is spent at a hotel in Spain, but the first night is spent on board. Program available from July to October. Price per angler from 347 (4 anglers) to 568 euros (2 anglers) - non fishing guests 180 euros - Arrantzaleak means fisherman in Basque. It is also the name of a famous fish restaurant on the port of Ciboure. Surf Casting On special request: Guided sea bass surf casting -night bivouac- can be organized from the huge sand beaches of the Landes de Gascogne