An adult and a child fishing by the side of a lake surrounded by trees

An adult and a child are sitting on rocks by the side of a lake, surrounded by dense vegetation. They hold a fishing rod and appear focused on their activity. The lake reflects the surrounding trees and the clear sky.

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A moment of bonding between an adult and a child during a fishing trip.

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STEPHANE MEURISSE

An angler who knows how to fish

It's the opening!
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River or pond fishing is a must in our valleys!

On the eve of the opening of fishing season in the Ariege Pyrenees, the house is buzzing with excitement! And for once, it’s not just us kids. Tomorrow’s the big day: river fishing opens! So we get down to checking our equipment: rod, reel, line, leader, bait,landing net, everything! We also check that you’ve got your fishing licence, bought at the Tourist Office, in case of any checks.

D-Day

Opening of the fishing season

In our family, fishing is a family affair: Dad fishes in rivers and especially lakes, and when he met Mom, he passed on his passion. As a result, now she’s the one who’s hooked! She often tells us that a few years ago, while out hiking in the Siguer valley, she came across a fly fishermanatthePeyregrandpond. She was dazzled by this fishing technique, in this wild setting. When she talks about it, you can tell she’s still as moved as ever.

Sunset over a mountain lake surrounded by forests and mountains

View of a mountain lake at dusk, surrounded by forests and mountains. The setting sun casts orange reflections on the calm water. The mountains and trees are silhouetted against the clear blue sky.

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The sun sets over a peaceful mountain lake, reflecting the warm colors of the sky.

    Tent and pole ready!

    We're going fishing

    Personally, my favorite part of the trip is fishing at altitude, when the lakes have thawed. Mum says that’s the best time, because the trout are hungry! We make sure the weather’s fine for several days, gather our hiking gear ( tent, comforters and the indispensable sausage and cheese duo!) and… off we go!

    Once we’ve arrived at the lakeside, after pitching the tent (Dad always chooses the site), everyone sets up their gear and gives the first blows. I look at them, my contemplative side. The lake “curls”, and Mum already has a few “touches”. So she calls me over to hold the rod for a while, and I’m always surprised at the strength of the fish(trout? salmon?) as it stretches out its line…
    The fight begins: you have to “tire” the fish, then bring it back to shore. In her hands, Mum delicately catches the tired fighter. She takes a close look at its beautiful colors and multiple reflections, and checks its size, before releasing it… or not!

    People having a picnic by a lake surrounded by greenery

    Several people are sitting on a grassy bank by a lake. They are surrounded by trees and lush vegetation. The lake reflects the surrounding green hills. One person stands near the water, possibly fishing.

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    A group of people enjoy a picnic by a peaceful lake.

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    STEPHANE MEURISSE

    An adult and a child fishing by the side of a lake surrounded by trees

    An adult and a child are sitting on rocks by the side of a lake, surrounded by dense vegetation. They hold a fishing rod and appear focused on their activity. The lake reflects the surrounding trees and the clear sky.

    ©

    A moment of bonding between an adult and a child during a fishing trip.

    |

    STEPHANE MEURISSE

    Children holding fishing rods by the lake

    Several children are holding fishing rods by a lake surrounded by trees and hills. Adults accompany and watch them. The sky is partly cloudy and the lake water is calm.

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    A family fishing day by a peaceful lake.

    Hands holding a fishing rod near a body of water

    Close-up view of hands holding a fishing rod near a body of water. The fishing rod is equipped with a black and silver reel. The background shows lush green vegetation, suggesting a peaceful natural setting.

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    A moment of tranquility in the great outdoors, searching for the perfect catch.

    A fisherman in waders in a river with a fishing rod

    A fisherman in waders stands in a clear river, holding a fishing rod. The river is surrounded by lush greenery and rocks. The water is shallow and clear, allowing the stones at the bottom to be seen.

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    A fisherman stands in a clear river, surrounded by greenery.

    A man fishing in a river surrounded by green trees

    A man in fishing attire, with a pink vest and green pants, holds a fishing rod over a river. The river is surrounded by lush green trees and the sky is clear. The river water is shallow and clear, with rocks visible underneath.

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    A fisherman in action in a spring river.

      Trout and salmon

      For dinner!

      Tonight, we’ll have brook salmon and fario trout for dinner! To work out which fish I’ve caught, I look at the drawings in the fishing guide, and also in the “Little Fisherman’s Guide” that was given to me when my parents had my card made. There are lots of fish stickers, and fun games to learn lots of things while having fun.

      Hands holding a freshly caught trout in a stream

      Two hands are holding a freshly caught trout in a stream. The trout has red and black spots on a greenish-silver background. The stream water is clear, and the hands appear to belong to a fisherman.

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      A fisherman proudly displays his catch of the day, a beautiful trout.

      Trout swimming in a stream with rocks

      A gray trout with black spots swims in a shallow stream. Rocks and pebbles are visible at the bottom of the clear water. Sunlight filters through the water's surface, creating reflections on the trout's scales.

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      A trout weaving between rocks in a clear stream.

        Contemplation

        The true nature of the Pyrenees

        Mountain lakefishing is fickle, according to Dad. There’s the morning rush and the evening rush. Sometimes it’s dead calm, so we take a nap. I take the opportunity to observe the sky, contemplate the clouds, watch out forisards, marmots… or go in search of wild blueberries!
        As for me, my parents took me fishing in a fish farm, and the good thing is that the fish are easy to catch! But next time, I’d like to take a guiding course with Clément from Hook A Lip.

        Fishing events

        A natural summer!

        During the summer vacations, I can take part in the free fishing activities (registration required at the tourist office) organized by the Fédération de Pêche, and meet other budding anglers!

        Grab your rods… And happy fishing season!

        Hands holding a fishing rod near a body of water

        Close-up view of hands holding a fishing rod near a body of water. The fishing rod is equipped with a black and silver reel. The background shows lush green vegetation, suggesting a peaceful natural setting.

        ©

        A moment of tranquility in the great outdoors, searching for the perfect catch.

        A group of people fishing together in a stream

        On the left, a group of people, including children, stand on the bank of a stream. They hold fishing rods and appear to be having fun. On the right, a man and two young girls are fishing together. The man smiles and seems to be encouraging the girls. The surroundings are natural, with trees and bushes around.

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        A family fishing day in the great outdoors.

        A group of children and an adult sitting near a lake

        A group of children and an adult are sitting in a circle near a lake. The adult, wearing a hat, appears to be explaining something to the children, who are listening attentively. The children are dressed in light clothing and hats, and the background shows lush vegetation and calm water.

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        A group of children and an adult sitting near a lake, listening attentively.

        Learn to fish

        It's that simple

        My parents took me to a fish farm to introduce me to the sport, and the good thing is that the fish are easy to catch! But next time, I’d like to take a guiding course with Clément from Hook A Lip.

        Hand holding a fish with an artificial fly in its mouth

        A fish is held by a person's hand. The fish has an artificial fly in its mouth. The background shows a natural environment with trees and stones.

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        A fisherman proudly holds his catch with an artificial fly firmly attached.

          Living intensely

          Experiences in the Ariège Pyrenees
          Family vacations in the snow
          Northern ambience at Beille
          Mountain biking and climbing day in Ariège
          Nature immersion in Orlu
          Goulier, my favorite resort
          Night in a forest gîte
          A day of canyoning with friends
          My anti-burn-out cure at Ussat-les-Bains
          Haute-Ariège, a land of history
          I’ll be arriving by train for a car-free adventure !
          My spa treatment at Ax-Les-Thermes
          Prehistory in love
          Ariege's little extras
          The Ariege Pyrenees, your oxygen bubble!

          Looking for unspoilt nature, the great outdoors and white water?
          In winter, ski, snowboard, skating, snowshoeing, sledging, dog sledding, at Ax 3 Domaines, Beille, Ascou and le Chioula, Mijanés and Goulier...

          In summer, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or canyoning...

          And all year round, enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters at Ax-les-Thermes, Ussat-les-Bains or the Bains du Couloubret.
          And don't miss the Grotte de Niaux and the Parc de la Préhistoire.

          Not forgetting the history of our mountains and their heritage, pastoralism and local produce!

          Book your next mountain vacation!