The WFFC France 2024 Committee and with agreement of Fishing Federations of the Pyrenees Orientales, the Ariège and the Aude and in a close cooperation with FIPS-Mouche has chosen following competition sectors: rivers Vicdessos, Aude and Têt (3 sectors) and lake of Carlit and Camporells (2 sectors). The general aim was to provide to the WFFC France 2024 participants an exceptional experience that have never been a part of the World/European events.
Practice instructions: training on competition sectors for team members and their agents allowed till May 21st (included). In the time period from 22-30 June 2024, there will be a general fishing closure (valid for all anglers, including locals) on each of the competition sector.
Here is the map of the sectors that we have pre-selected, divided between lakes and rivers in the departments of Ariège, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales. Details about beats for each sector will be available 1 month before the competition.
SECTOR 1
The Vicdesos
The Vicdessos is a river 10 to 20 metres wide. The water comes from the nearby peaks and is often very cool. Its pebbled bottom and rich aquatic fauna make it a favourite spot for fly fishers. The river offers a wide range of positions, from smooth stretches with sandy bottoms to holes cluttered with large boulders or currents lined with pebbles and large stones. Brown trout of Mediterranean stock predominate.
SECTOR 2
The Carlit lakes
The Haute Cerdagne region has everything to attract sports fishing enthusiasts. The foothills of the imposing Carlit peak are home to a string of 12 high-altitude lakes overlooking the Lac des Bouillouses. They are relatively easy and quick to access from the Bouillouses dam (allow 1h30 to reach the highest lake). Within this group of lakes, you'll find brown trout and rainbow trout of the "Bouillouses" strain. The latter reproduce naturally in spring and early summer. Signs indicate the name of each lake and access is signposted.
SECTOR 3
The Têt
The Têt is a coastal river in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, rising near the Pic Carlit. Its upstream section is dammed by the Bouillouses dam (hydroelectricity) and the Vinça dam further down (reservoir for irrigation). Up to the latter, the river is considered to be a mountain stream where brown trout thrive.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON
SECTOR 4
The Camporells lakes
The Camporells lakes are located at the foot of Pic Péric. Accessible via Formiguères, among other routes, it takes around an hour and a half's walk from the Formiguères ski resort to reach the site and lure the magnificent Brown trout that have made their home in these crystal-clear waters. The ten or so lakes in this group are populated exclusively by Brown trout, their coats dotted with splendid black and red spots.
SECTOR 5
The Aude
The Aude is a river that gives its name to the department it flows through. In its upper reaches, the river is between 5 and 10 metres wide. It has the profile of a mountain stream, with a steep gradient and cool, oxygenated waters that are ideal for Brown trout. In the downstream section, the river widens out and becomes a lowland stream with a much gentler gradient. The profile is completely different from the upper part and more suited to the development of common grayling.
Photo copyright : Herle HAMON