Fish in the Gavarnie valleys in the Gaves

Mountain torrents, or Gaves in Occitan, are the ideal playground to search for the famous "Gave Panther" in Gavarnie valleys.

On this meshed territory of countless gaves, an infinite choice of fishing routes is available to amateurs. A fantastic experience!

The Gave treasure hunt

Divided into draining basins , the Gaves merge together during their descent and receive the waters from many lakes. It is not uncommon for a large size, the result of the contribution of several tens of small gaves.

And as they often change their name according to confluence, following the route is a real treasure hunt! Needless to say, an IGN card is an essential investment to correctly identify fishing routes and how to access it.

Their flow is strong at the start of the season at the mealing of snow and then decreases , which can become very low in summer so little streams feed them. Trouts are generally smaller on low -flow streams, but can reserve nice surprises due to fishing pressure in general than "big" gaves.

Pathing routes at the forefront of the day or after a high rain , while remaining vigilant to releases of water on the gaves which have reservoirs (Gave d'Azun).

To quickly access the best routes, it is very useful being accompanied by a fishing guide , it is a major asset for a successful outing!

The Gave de Pau and the Gavarnie Gave

To all Lord, all honor. The Gave de Pau is the largest of the Gavarnie valleys (191 km) and also the widest: in Argeles-Gazost, it is already about thirty meters wide. Taking his source at the Cirque de Gavarnie where he is called the Gavarnie Gave , he receives the Gave from Bastan to Luz-Saint Sauveur, the Gave de Cauterets in Soulom, the Gave d'Azun in Arugeles-Gazost and finally the Gave du Bergons . Benefiting from a wild and natural ecosystem, rich in large trout (30 to 40 cm), this attractive river can offer unforgettable fishing parts! Aleviation and development efforts have even enabled this river to become a Frai of Atlantic salmon site. Protected species, it must be systematically given to water in the event of taking.

The Gave de Gavarnie is the upper part of the Gave de Pau. A torrential river, a few meters wide to ten meters, which offers magnificent landscapes. Very rich in fario trout, it lends itself well to fly fishing and natural baits.

Two small tributaries of the Gave de Pau deserve the detour:

The Gave de Bergons: a small wild stream which has its source at the foot of the Col des Spandelles and Couraduque and throws itself into the Gave de Pau at the level of the "iron bridge" downstream from Argelès-Gazost. The upper part is easily accessible, winding between meadows and forests on the Bergons plateau; It then becomes more rugged and more difficult to access, good physical condition will be necessary. Its flow becomes very low in summer.

The Gave de Neez: This Gave has its source in the Massif du Hautacam from two small streams (Le Hout-Heyde and Le Pée de la Pène) and flows into the Gave de Pau in Lugagnan, just upstream from the bridge above Lourdes. The fishing sector is located below the sawmill and between the Pont d'Ousté and the Lyonnaise factory, and benefits from a good flow all year round.

The Gave de Cauterets basin

The Gave de Cauterets is an tributary of the Gave de Pau in Soulom, on the left bank side. From the port of Marcadau from which he is born, 26 kilometers are in different portions: calm in the Lutour sector, at La Fruitière, as well as at the Cayan plateau; Torrential downstream from Cauterets, in cashed and wild gorges.

The strong elevation elevations create beautiful basins and veins of water which are full of beautiful Fario trout. Its main tributaries are the Gave du Marcadau and the Gave de Cambasque.

The Gave du Marcadau

At the start named Ruisseau du Port du Marcadau , he took the name of Gave des Batans after having received the waters of the Gave de Camboalès , fueled by the lakes of Cambalès, Fache, Nère and Pourtet. He then merged with the Gave d'Ortille , who receives the waters of the Arratille and the Badète lakes. The Gave du Marcadau then receives on its right the waters of the Vallon de Pouey Trénous then on its left the waters of the embarage before mesming in the magnificent Cayan plateau, very popular fishing spot . The Gave du Marcadau becomes the Gave de Jéret at the Pont d'Espagne, where he merges with the Gave de Gaube in a deafening thunder. At the level of the Raillère, the Gave de Jéret merges with the Gave de Lutour to give birth to the Gave de Cauterets .

Broken of the Gave de Marcadau, the Gave de Gaube is born from the northern glaciers of the vignemale (small vignemale and Oulettes de Gaube). He then receives the waters from the small lakes of tear and summer on the right bank side, and Lake Chabarrou on the left bank side

Broken of the Gave de Jéret, the Gave de Lutour takes its source at the level of the lakes of Estom Soubiran, receives the waters of the Voluae and Col du Labas valleys, then those of the Hount Hutrède and the lakes of lakes 'Estibe AUTE. Finally at the foot of the Russel refuge, merges with the streams from the Assus plateau and the northwest flank of the Ardiden.

The Gave de Cambasque , on the other hand, drains all the waters of a high valley separated from the Val d'Azun by the Mount born, the Grand Barbat and the Pic Arrouy and the Marcadau by the peaks of Castet Abarca, Courounalas, Nets and Péguère . The lakes of the Hourat then of Iléou give birth to the Gave d'Iléou, who after the magnificent waterfall of Iléou receives on his right the waters of the Lys stream. The Gave de Cambasque flows into the Gave de Cauterets downstream from the city.

The Gave d'Azun basin

The Gave d'Azun has its source at around 2050 meters above sea level. With a total length of 29 kilometers, it has around forty small tributaries to the Gave de Pau. Appointed Gave d'Arrens in his upstream part, he goes through two dams, Suyen then from Tech, before arriving in Arrens-Marsous. He meets with the Gave de Laun to form the Gave d'Azun , then descends to Argeles-Gazost where he confused with the Gave de Pau . Because of the dams on its course, its flow is low as evidenced by its too large bed formed by large blocks of rounded stone; It will also be necessary to beware of unpredictable water releases.

It is a nice playground to track down the Fario trout, generally easier to access than the Gave de Cauterets and the Gave de Luz but which still has some unacceptable crowded gorges.

In conclusion: from your base at the La Source chalet , these are countless unique routes awaiting you, along the Gaves of the Gavarnie Valleys. So do not hesitate!
You will find in these two other articles, more general information on fishing in Gavarnie valleys , and on fishing in mountain lakes around Cauterets .

And don't forget: your most beautiful trout is always the one you will return to the river ...