This guide covers the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques,in the South West of France: the areas of the French Basque country, the Béarn
and Soule.
THE COUNTRY The South West is a land of rolling hills, hidden valleys, and mountains which rise up dramatically from the flood plains of the fast-flowing rivers. The climate is mild and there is plenty of rain to keep the rivers going and water the maize, the main crop here, and the vines. It is a wooded country, teaming with wild-life from wild boar to vultures and eagles. Fishing and hunting are integral parts of the culture.
THE FISH The Gave d'Oloron is one of France's main salmon rivers. Years ago they were so plentiful that peasants insisted on a limit of three times a week for lunch.
Today they are not so easy to find, partly due to estuarial netting. However efforts are being made to resolve this problem. In 1996, for the first time, netting rights were bought out - for three days a week- and last year for the whole month of July. The declared take last year was 120 fish, the real take probably three times as high and people said they had not seen so many salmon in the river for years. And while the fishing is improving it is still some of the cheapest to be had in the world. The villages of Navarranx, Oloron, Salies de Béarn and Sauveterre de Béarn put on each year the World Salmon Fishing Championships.
There is excellent sea trout to be had and in those rivers classified for sea trout fishing is allowed for two hours after dark. The rivers are teeming with wild trout. It is a natural population of fish and a real challenge for the expert fly fisherman - they seem to recognise foreign flies for the bait they are.
A fine and somewhat unrecognised sporting fish is the Shad, a delicacy of the area; and there is also a good range of coarse fish from barbel to pike.
REGULATIONS and LICENSES The regulations are complex and it is always advisable to check when you get there. Most rivers and streams, and many lakes, are open to the public for fishing. Once you have bought your license you can fish almost anywhere in the department. Two areas insist on their own licenses and a very few riverside owners keep the righjts to themselves. For a small extra fee your license will also allow you to fish in neighbouring departments. So for a small sum you get access to thousands of kilometres of fine fishing. There are limits to the numbers and size of fish you can take and there is one stretch of river declared NO KILL.
Rivers are classified first or second class. Fishing in the first category rivers is generally allowed between 14 March 1998 and 20 September 1998, or July 31 for salmon and sea trout. Fishing in Second category rivers is allowed throughout the year except where they are classified salmon or sea trout.
PRICES OF PRINCIPAL LICENSES 1998
Trout license
334 FF
First two rings for salmon
200 FF
Extra stamp for sea trout
100 FF
Youth card
150 FF
Tourist card
150 FF
You are allowed to take up to two salmon. If you reach this limit you can buy up to two more salmon rings at 100FF each, making a limit of four in total.
BEST TIMES TO FISH The quality of the fishing in Spring and early Summer depends on the snow melt. When the thaw is in progress the waters become too swift and cold for the best fishing. The table above shows the usual time but it can change from year to year. Rivers are not all affected the same: the Nivelle and Nive rise in maritime hills that seldom see snow. The Saison sees rather more while the Gave d'Oloron rises at 3,000 metres.
Nive; Nives de Béhérobie, d'Arneguy, des Aldudes. Apart from the Nive the fishing rights to the rivers in this area belong to the APRN who are not part of the reciprocal arrangements for the department.
Saint Palais. Important agricultural town in the Pays Basque
Bidouze (2nd category) and tributaries (1st category).
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