Freestone · Granite · Hautes-Pyrénées / Cauterets

Gave du Marcadau

Gave du Marcadau venue image
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Tributary of the Gave de Pau at Cauterets, flowing through a granite valley where the light seems to sharpen the mountains.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for grayling
Cool — slow
2°C est.ideal 4–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for grayling
  • Temperature4428% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity8518% weight
  • Feeding Time1013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity5012% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
2.3°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
-5°C
Wind
S 4 km/h
Calm
Pressure
1019 hPa
Rain · 48h
1.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
9.2 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for grayling
When
Autumn — September through October prime in this high-altitude tributary. Grayling are present but sparse.
Where
Slower glides in the lower Marcadau where the gradient eases. Above the steeper sections is brown-trout-only pocket water.
Method
Euro-nymphing through the slower pockets; dries on autumn afternoons when the air warms.
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
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (85), Feeding time is weakest (10).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May 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
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • AAPPMA permits
  • Fly-only sections common in Pyrenees.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Tributary of the Gave de Pau at Cauterets, flowing through a granite valley where the light seems to sharpen the mountains. ~1300 m designated no-kill fly-only (barbless hooks required). Wild brown trout in pristine conditions. High altitude, short season, responsive to snowmelt. Best from June when water clears.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Trout2nd Saturday of March → 3rd Sunday of September
  • Grayling3rd Saturday of May → 3rd Sunday of September
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts