I have been offered stay in a cottage in the Dordogne in July, about 30 mins out from Bergerac.

When I went a long time ago, we canoed the main river and I saw some good sized coarse species in clear water; chub, barbel, roach. I am sure there would be great fly fishing there as well, as the water was teaming with life.

Please can anyone give me any pointers, where to fish, local licences etc, so that I can plan myself a few days good fishing?

As said, based near Bergerac, should have access to a car, and have at least 3 days potential fishing to fill. Will bring whatever tackle suits, likely to be a #5 9' or #4 8'.

Thanks,

N

RUn a search on this forum as this I think has been asked before. In summer you can buy the two week vacation pass for 30 eur. I think fOr all other times you have to buy the year card. Ask at the tourist office or tobacco shop. I normally fish with a two or three weight in France but I think for Barbel you will need heavier gear.

You can have a look to this french website dedicated to flyfishing (and no-kill!):
peche mouche forum mouche pche a la mouche - Gobages.com
Many guys here, including webmasters, live just by the Dordogne.

As far as I know, the upper part, just downstream of the last big dam and for about 80km are very well known for trout and grayling even if nearly all fresh water species can be expected there (barble, chub, dace, pike, perch, sander, gudgeon, carp, roach and so on). One tributary called Maronne has also an excellent reputation. These rivers are to be fished with yellow duns, miscellaneous sedges, hare's ear, CdC, gold beaded nymphs... Wading, long drifts with thin lines and long tippets are the rule.

Anyway, you will have to be very carefull about the frequent and dramatic change of water level due to electric power stations... Try to contact the above mentioned guys and may be they can help to provide you indication about this safety matter. Many canoëing in summer also...

that looked a good web page if i could read french lol

Moreover, you can buy your fishing license in advance by Internet there:
Accueil - Cartedepeche.fr - Fédération Nationale de la Pêche en France
Or you can have it locally probably in most important bars or at any tackle shop if you find one.

Thanks for the tips all. I emailed the local fly fishing club near to Bergerac, and they were very helpful in reply, and I have hopefully lined up a day with their Vice President when I get there to show me the ropes

I'll post some more info on it later in the year to help others out once I've been.

Thanks

RIGHT click on mouse and click translate - easy peasy.

Try this link for fly fishing in Dordogne

Kadi

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www.clubfishworld.com

You need your lisence for that 'department' of france (regional lisence). Take some good flies for coarse species. I caught a mullet on the fly (little bloodworm thing) a few years back in one of the local large rivers.
Also, I think you're only allowed to fish in the hours of daylight in the rivers (I may have that wrong, but it rings a bell).

Enjoy...

Bri

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www.goldengrovecottages.com