Fishing in on the River Dordogne
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The course of the
river covered by French Affair really divides itself into three sections.
From Argentat down to Beaulieu; from Beaulieu down to the confluence of
the Vézère at Limeuil, and from Limeuil down to the river
Garonne. At least for one outing we would recommend the services of a
local fishing guide.
From Argentat
to Beaulieu
In the first of these three sections the river is cleanest, and is particularly
interesting because you can fish for grayling, though there are also trout
in this part of the river. Fishing is most often done from the bank or
by wading. On the last day of the 2004 grayling season, M Reix, local
fishing guide, reported catching 14 grayling with friends and loosing
another 15. So there are fish to be caught. He and his friends were fishing
with a fly from the bank.
From Beaulieu to
Limeuil
The section from Beaulieu down to Limeuil is also clean, fast flowing
and except in spate relatively shallow. This is a good part of the river
for trout, though fishing is usually done in the evening when there is
less activity on the river. You will usually fish from the bank or by wading. Please note that west of Beaulieu the grayling season is closed all year though you can fish for trout from the 12th March to 18th September.
From Limeuil westwards
After Limeuil the hydroelectric barrage at Lalinde slows the river down.
It becomes much shallower again then deeper once it passes Bergerac, after
which there is good pike and carp fishing. A good house for this part
of the river is Béarnaisse, which is right on the river. The owner
of this house knows the river well and can indicate good spots from which
to fish. Shad also comes up the river Dordogne as far as Bergerac.
The river Lisle
at Monpon Monesterol
You can fish for a wide range of fish here, mostly coarse fish and clearly
the house at Le Vieux Port, right on the river is ideally placed for this.
You will need to know the opening and closing dates of the fishing season shown below of the fish in which you are interested. You will also need a fishing permit which can be purchased in any Tabac shop (newsagent in France).
French Affair houses that are conveniently located for the sections of the river above:
Argentat to Beaulieu: 114
Beaulieu to Limeuil: 101, 103, 106, 114, 121
Limeuil westwards: 104, 113, 119, 112
The river Dronne: 121, 123, 120,102
