Pyrenean trout fishing

When some apply “idleness” to the letter on vacation, others take the opportunity to unwind their line and tease fish near rivers. In the Pyrenees, water is omnipresent. Rivers have sculpted the landscape. At the foot of the great summits, the pure and crystalline water of the three gaves of Barèges , Gavarnie and Cauterets (a “ gave ” designates a river in this region) makes the Argelès-Gazost valley a favorite destination for fisherman. Exceptional natural conditions are met for fishing for trout , the " queen of the river ", subject to holding a fishing license and respecting the authorization periods and regulations. For gourmets who lack experience in the field, it is also possible to indulge in this passion on the superb fishing course made available by the fish farm of the "Trout of the Pyrenees". Advantages ? No need for a fishing card, prices corresponding to the trout caught, a fun family activity and the assurance of leaving with some delicious trout to eat.  

The Hautes-Pyrénées: a small paradise for trout

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Like its cousin the salmon whose production comes mainly from Norway and Scotland, trout is raised in France . To satisfy fish consumption in France, 46,000 tonnes of trout of various varieties are produced each year: Rainbow trout, Fario, Ombre Chevalier and Ombre des Fontaines . This fragile fish thrives in the white water and pure, ideally in a river of ^1st category as the Gave de Gavarnie in the Argelès Gazost Valley. Meeting of a series of mountain torrents which take their source in altitude in the valleys of Luz-Saint-Sauveur , Cauterets, Gavarnie and Val d'Azun , the banks of this river invite to beautiful walks. These limpid waters welcome strong populations of wild fish for the amateurs of fly fishing, toc and lures. Saturated with oxygen, they provide a very favorable environment for the development of quality trout .  

Whether you are a sportsman, a tactician or a gentle dreamer, the pleasure of fishing is within everyone's reach here. Yet even if you have the right fishing technique, if patience is not your strong point, your fishing trip does not promise to be successful! An ideal alternative, accessible to all, exists just a stone's throw from the Gave: the aquaculture farm and the “La Truite des Pyrénées” fishing course guarantee that you will enjoy this tasty mountain fish. In addition, it is a delightful family activity that allows you to enjoy the sumptuous surroundings of the valley!  

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The "Pyrenean Trout" aquaculture farm: a business of family and enthusiasts  

In the hollow of this exceptional valley, the " La Truite des Pyrénées " aquaculture farm is located in an arm of the Gave and benefits from an open-circuit and constantly renewed river water supply. On site, I go to meet Franck Pomarez , Abel's great-grandson, the founder of this family business. In 1953, the latter decided to set up a Rainbow and Fario trout farm on this site , convinced that the exceptional quality of the Gave water and his passion for salmonids could make the Pyrenean trout a benchmark. gastronomic . Three generations later and on the strength of confirmed intergenerational know-how, Franck and his sister Fanny run the company with the same devotion to animal welfare and the excellence of their production, in an ethical, reasoned and responsible manner.  

Visit of the farm with Franck Pomarez  

The 4 hectare site that I am invited to visit with Franck includes: a fishing course and a pond open to the public , a hatchery and breeding ponds supplied all year round with white water (3000 liters per second) , settling tanks as well as a laboratory to European standards which allows trout to be processed on site for freshness and optimal traceability.  

Breeding ponds  

Extremely sensitive to the quality of the water, the trout are a real sentinel of the rivers . A connoisseur, passionate about nature and the environment, Franck explains to me that this cold-blooded fish is capricious, fragile and detects the slightest variations in the composition and temperature of the water, scrupulously monitored. It must be pampered between 10 months and 3 years to reach its legal size   : a fish farm which gives the fish time to grow naturally. So in March 2020, the hatching trout eggs are preparing for Christmas 2023 production! Throughout their life cycle, trout are fed exclusively on fish and the use of antibiotics is excluded. Franck makes a point of respecting the fish as much as possible, offering them the place they need to grow without overcrowding and avoiding any source of stress.  

Visit of the processing workshop  

The fishing course: unforgettable moments with family and friends!  

Do you want to train before the opening of fishing ? Spend a moment of relaxation with friends or introduce your children to fishing ? The "La Truite des Pyrénées" aquaculture farm has a course which offers a free introduction to fishing in a private pond in the heart of lush greenery ! All the equipment is provided: bamboo canes and bait. The density of the fish in the pond is high enough to allow you to maximize your chances of catching a fish, not too quickly though. It's up to you, whether you are a beginner or an experienced fisherman. Patience is said to be a virtue ...  

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Savor the terroir, taste the Pyrenean trout  

With almonds, meunière or grilled, the queen of the river is a refined dish that adapts to all recipes, whether for baking, steaming, in foil, on the barbecue or in a salt crust. In steak, fillet, whole or smoked, it is also found on all the good tables of the Hautes-Pyrénées restaurants.

Trout in all these states at the restaurant "Petits Pois Sont Rouge" in Argelès Gazost  

Naturally varying from light beige to a beautiful orange, its tender, tender and delicate flesh, with a fine and pronounced taste, delights all taste buds. Trout are also part of a balanced diet by presenting real nutritional advantages : proteins, Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins D, B3, B12 and minerals. To vary the pleasures, the aquaculture farm shop offers a range of fresh products (fillets, steaks, steaks ...) and prepared with trout : gazpacho, velouté, crumbled with sorrel, chives, peppers , tomato, green pepper ... trout can be as you wish!  

The delicious products of "La Truite des Pyrénées" for direct sale!  

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Photos and Article prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Guide de Toulouse Pyrénées

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