• Fishing photos

Activities

Béarn Region

The Béarn region of the Pyrenees has always been one of the best fishing spots in France. In Béarn the mountain torrents and rivers are called «Gaves». The Gaves are famous for the indigenous Pyrenean trout called «Fario» and the Atlantic wild salmon. With its beautiful red spotted body, the Fario is definitely the jewel of the Gaves! See the «Fishing Rivers of Béarn» map (pdf format).

Magical Aspe River

Of all the gaves the «Gave d’Aspe» in particular has always been a popular destination for Fario fishing. This river provides the expert and beginner alike with a pristine natural environment in which to refine or learn new fishing skills. See the «River Aspe» page for further details.

Fountains Of Escot

«Auberge Fontaines d’Escot» has been a fishing base probably since the 15C when it was first recorded as a hotel. Fountains Of Escot with its 900m of private river banks has always attracted the «Toc» and Fly fishing experts. (Toc is a fishing technique which was invented in this part of the Pyrenees).

Fishing Gites and B&B

Today with our family run B&B Accommodation and Self-Catering Gites we are still welcoming fishermen. Our Gites and Grand Suites, which are equipped with handy size fridge/frezer, are particularly popular.

We regularly welcome groups of fishermen who rent the gites with B&B rooms and they often take advantage of the breakfast and evening meals available. We offer breakfast and dinners at times adapted to suit the fisherman’s routine i.e. very early breakfast and late evening meals.

Fishermen often arrive here with a lot of equipment. We provide plenty of space to store boxes and hang up all outdoor clothing. In this part of the Gave d’Aspe you are allowed to keep your catch thus freezer space is always available to conserve your precious Fario.

Pêche64 Label

We have special status as a recognised fishing holiday location “Pêche 64”.

As part of our qualification for this special status we also offer help and advice on how and where to buy the appropriate license for your holiday. We are also able to provide professional, English speaking fishing guides who are personally known to us.

Guided days can be integrated into your stay here and maybe particularly useful at the start of any fishing holiday to acquaint you with that all important local expertise.

Attracting the Champions

We are now attracting some of the best toc and fly-fishing experts in France! Some of them are also fishing guides who are prepared to help. Indeed we regularly lodge some of these «Top Rods» here at Fountains Of Escot. Where they enjoy practising their art in the wildest of the Pyrenean rivers.

From the single fisherman on his own to the group fishermen or just the occasional family fisherman who wants a place that his family will also enjoy, Fountains Of Escot ticks every box.

The following information applies to the Aspe valley in the Pyrenees and in particular to the river Aspe.

Regulations

Fishing in all rivers, streams and lakes in the Aspe valley is regulated. For details of the exact regulations contact «La Gaule Aspoise». This is the AAPPMA (Associations Agrées pour la Protection de la Pêche et du Milieu Aquatique) for the Aspe valley.

Fishing Season

The fishing season normally goes from mid March to mid September. In 2009 from Saturday 14 March to Sunday 13 September.

Trout minimum size

You can eat the trout taken from these waters, but the minium size is 23cm. A trout under 23cm must be returned immediately to the river.

Night Fishing

Night fishing is forbidden (from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset).

Easy Fishing

You can also have fun in a fish farm, where you pay 9€ per kilo. The «Truites du Haut Barétous» farm provides you with all necessary equipment. Here there is also the «Foëhn» restaurant where you can eat . . . fish off course!

Fishing Permits (2009)

Permits are sold at newsagents and tourist office. Permits bought in the Aspe valley are valid in the twin Spanish valley of Canfranc.

The following permits are available:

• 1 day: €10 (available from 14 March to 20 September)
• 15 days: €30 (available from 1 June to 31 December)
• Yearly male adult: €65
• Yearly female adult: €30
• Yearly teenager (under 19): €15
• Yearly child (under 12): €3

Local Fishing Guides

The following are qualified guides for fly fishing and toc lessons. For all levels from beginners to advanced.

• Denis Micouleau
  Lescun
  +33 (0)5 59 34 79 06
  website
• Evasion Pêche
  Jérémy Hanin
  Arette
  English spoken
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 34 68 98
  website
• Lionel Armand
  (AAPPMA gave d’Oloron)
  e-mail
  +33 (0)6 84 24 67 44
  website
• Salvelinus
  Carretera National 330
  Canfranc Estación
  +34 696 164 810
  website

Contacts

• La Gaule Aspoise
  (AAPPMA gave d’Aspe)
  RN 134
  Accous
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 34 58 22
• Lou Pescadou
  Place Mendès France
  Oloron Sainte-Marie
  fishing shop
  e-mail
  +33 (0)5 59 39 71 05
• Truites du Haut Barétous
  Fishing farm
  Route Pierre Saint-Martin
  Arette
  +33 (0)5 59 88 91 18

Aspe Valley
Tourist Office
Bedous
e-mail
+33 (0)5 59 34 57 57

Pyrenees National Park
Etsaut
e-mail
+33 (0)5 59 34 88 30