Fly Fishing in France

If you want to fly fish in France from Pyrenees Fly Fishing we offer fly fishing trips in the Pyrenees. If on the other hand you want to fish in the north of France you can contact other companies that offer a great service like Fly Fishing France. This is their website, click on the image to access:

Guided fly fishing in France (french Pyrenees) with transfer services from Tarbes and Pau.

Our operation center is located “on the sunny side of the Pyrenees”. It’s also placed less than 15 km from France so this lucky situation allows us a quickly access to the best fishing areas on the French Pyrenees.

The access to the headwaters of the alpine rivers from the French side has shorter distances from Spain than from France, as Biescas is situated in a higher altitude and with better access to those places.

We will live the experience of moving from one side to another of the mountains through tunnels or pretty mountain passes where we will enjoy the contrast of climate, vegetation, types of rivers and even different species of trout. A trip that take us in less than 30 minutes from Mediterranean and sunny Spanish weather to the Atlantic and moist French face of the Pyrenees.

From Biescas we can access driving distance of 20 minutes to 1 hour to fish multitude of rivers, streams and lakes of the French Pyrenees.

We think that the friendly and sunny weather of the south face of the Pyrenees is very important to enjoy a fishing holiday but enjoy different landscapes, climate and rivers is also a big fishing experience.

Is why we always chose a variety of places in Spain as well as France, to offer our clients a special combination of culture and fishing. So that, this combine trip will give you the best of our Pyrenees.

Transfers: Service to our operation center from Pau. Also for tours over 5 days- transfer service from Tarbes.

Duration: We recommend 5 to 10 days.

Accommodation: Hotel – Spa ; Luxury lodge or guest houses in Biescas.

Season: 1 June – 15 of september.

Species: Brown Trout and with the possibility of some rainbow trouts.

Pesca con Mosca en Francia: Todo lo que necesitas saber

How to obtain a license to fly fish in France?

To fly fish in France, you need a license specific to each department or region. The fishing license, known as “carte de pêche,” can be obtained through the following methods:

• Online: You can conveniently purchase the fishing license on the website https://www.cartedepeche.fr/.
• Physical Locations: Fishing licenses are also available at fishing stores, tourist offices, and even some tobacconists and bars. When acquiring the license in person, remember to bring your passport and a passport-sized photo.

There are different types of fishing licenses available, catering to various durations and groups of anglers. The various types of licenses are as follows:

• Adult or Interfederal License: This option is aimed at anglers who enjoy fishing throughout the year. The annual “Adult Person” card is the most suitable choice, allowing fishing in both 1st and 2nd category waters using all authorized fishing methods. If you wish to expand your fishing opportunities to other areas, the interfederal card provides access to different departments.
• Women’s Discovery License: The annual discovery card offers an attractive and promotional opportunity to explore fishing. This license is valid throughout the year and allows fishing in 1st and 2nd category waters using a single line and all authorized fishing methods.
• Minor Person’s License: Intended for young people under 18 years of age, this license is valid throughout the year and permits fishing in 1st and 2nd category waters, using all authorized fishing methods.
• Discovery License -12 years old: A fishing license designed for children under 12 years old (as of January 1st of the current year).
• Weekly License: Ideal for a fishing vacation, this license is valid for 7 consecutive days and allows you to indulge in fishing in 1st or 2nd category waters, using all authorized fishing methods.
• Daily Pass: Designed for travelers seeking a single day of fishing enjoyment. Widely used by international tourists.

The prices of these licenses vary depending on the department. In the following table, you can find the prices of the different fishing licenses in Savoie:

Finally, we would like to point out that there are some reciprocity agreements in place. With a fishing license from one department, you can fish in other participating departments. These departments have joined forces to pool their fishing territories, and you can find the updated list of participating departments at the following link: https://www.generationpeche.fr/206-la-reciprocite.htm

Classification of fly fishing waters for trout in France

France does not have a single fishing regulation for the entire country. Instead, each department has its own specific fishing regulations. To access the fishing regulations of a particular department, you should visit the website of the relevant federation or association.

However, there are some fundamental rules established at the national level, which are then adapted at the departmental level based on local characteristics.

One of the nationally established rules is the classification of waters. The fishing waters in France are categorized into two groups:

• The 1st category is primarily inhabited by trout, brook trout, grayling, and other salmonids.
• The 2nd category encompasses all other rivers, canals, and bodies of water.

Best fly fishing rivers in France

It is challenging to compile a definitive list of the best rivers for fly fishing in France, but based on our personal experience, we present our 5 favorite rivers for trout fly fishing:

• Fier River: The Fier River is a short river or torrent in the pre-Alps of Haute-Savoie, serving as a tributary of the Rhone River.
• Isère River: The Isère River is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France.
• Ain River: The Ain River flows through eastern France and is a tributary of the Rhone River.
• Gave d’Oloron: The Gave d’Oloron is situated in southwestern France, nestled within the Pyrenees.
• Gave d’Aspe: The Gave d’Aspe is a swift-flowing river coursing through the Aspe Valley, one of the three main valleys of Haute-Béarn, located in southwestern France, within the Pyrenees.

Fly fishing season in France

The fishing season in France varies depending on the fish category of the waters. The waters inhabited by trout, grayling, char, and salmon are categorized as 1st category waters.

Each department has its own opening and closing dates for first category waters. Generally, the season starts at the end of March and ends at the end of September or mid-October. The grayling fishing season starts later.

As an example, we are going to provide you with a table where you can check the fishing season in the Department of Savoie.