Freestone · Limestone · Hautes-Pyrénées / Gavarnie-Gèdre, FR

Gave d'Estaubé

A mountain stream flowing through a rocky Pyrenean valley below a limestone cliff, crossed by a small footbridge
Prime · Grayling
F-Fly · Hook 18–22
New ruleReported 7 Aug 2026

Severe drought restrictions (alerte renforcée) in force

A préfectoral drought order places this catchment's surface water at alerte renforcée, the second-highest of France's four restriction tiers. Fishing itself is not named in the order, but flows are low and water-use restrictions are in force. Zone: Bassin du Gave d'Oloron (dépt 64).

Arrêté préfectoral n°37628

Temporary notices from official orders and recent fishery reports — they clear automatically once out of date. Always confirm locally before travelling.

Primelive now
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelDry recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp11.1°C
  • ClarityClear
Today's fly
F-Fly
F-FlyHook 18–22
in season · matches water height
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp11.1°C
ClarityClear
Weather13°C
WindSW 12 km/h
Pressure1020 hPa
Rain · recent0.2 mm
Rain · ahead0.3 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for Grayling
Ideal
11°C est.ideal 414°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Grayling
When
Autumn — September through October prime. Grayling are present but sparse in this high-altitude water.
Where
Slower glides in the lower Estaubé where gradient eases.
Method
Euro-nymphing through the slower pockets; dries on autumn afternoons.
Kit
10 ft #3 nymphing rod for the deep pockets; 9 ft #4 for dries. 4 to 5 lb fluoro tippet, 12 ft leader.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though insect activity could be better.
Likely species
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 9 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 2 with Pro.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Grayling seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
1
Alpine RhithrogenaHatch
2
3
3
2
Sculpin / Baitfish (Rivers)Hatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
Late March BrownHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Grayling fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • AAPPMA permits
  • Many parcours are fly-only and catch-and-release.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. A mountain stream flowing through a rocky Pyrenean valley below a limestone cliff, crossed by a small footbridge
    The Gave d'Estaube below the cirque, Gedre
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyGood
  • ChemicalUnknown

WFD classification · FRFRR404_2

The full read · show the working · for Grayling · confidence 90%
How the 86 is built — score × weight = contribution
Temperature100 × 28%28.0
Flow80 × 22%17.6
Clarity85 × 18%15.3
Feeding Time100 × 13%13.0
Pressure80 × 7%5.6
Insect activity58 × 12%7.0
Conditions total= 87
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Prey activitysurvey-backed invertebrate datasurvey
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 2nd Saturday of March3rd Sunday of September
  • Grayling 3rd Saturday of May3rd Sunday of September

    France national rule: grayling opens 3rd Saturday of May in all waters. In 1st category (salmonid) rivers, grayling closes with the trout season on the 3rd Sunday of September. Departmental regulations may impose additional restrictions. Always check the relevant département's 2026 arrêté préfectoral.

Related guides
Booking & contacts