The Orne is the central Calvados river, running from its source near Sées through the Suisse Normande gorges to the sea at Ouistreham. It is the classic mixed-species Normandy river: a weak but still extant Atlantic salmon run, reliable summer sea trout, and excellent wild brown trout through the middle and upper reaches. The Noireau, a major tributary, is gauged and provides a reliable proxy for conditions on the parent river. The salmon fishing is concentrated on the lower beats, particularly around Thury-Harcourt and the Suisse Normande gorges where the river slows through a series of deep, stone-walled pools. Spring fish run from March to June; fish them with floating line and long leader when the water is low, tubes when it carries colour. The sea trout fishing in the lower river is worth pursuing from late May through October, with night fishing the productive method during the summer peak. The upper trout water, above the Suisse Normande, is proper freestone fishing — granite pocket water, strong Baetis and caddis hatches, wild fish that respond to dry fly and nymph alike. Of the four Normandy salmon rivers in the Rise Daisy pack, the Orne offers the most variety across the season.
- Granite