CORSICA’S TROUT

A typical Corsican river: no anglers, gin clear water, and a handful of trout!

Corsica is the closest of France’s distant islands, this old saying is again verified in terms of fishing. Known above all for its beaches, the region offers visitors a complete change of scenery. A true mountain in the sea with many rivers, lakes, as well as very different populations of salmonids. The wild side, the richness and the density of the fish populations give the territory an identity of a distant land. Not only a fishing destination, but also for nature-oriented tourism, culture and history.

The territory of Corsica offers the fisherman a hydrographic network of more than 3000 km of rivers and streams in first category (classified salmonid French rivers). The various watersheds in the west as well as in the east occupy a wide variety of altitudes. Indeed, the central chain of the island culminates between 2000 and 2700 meters, where you can find glacial lakes with salmonids and also formations of pozzines (grassy formation dotted with water holes that can be found at altitude following the filling of a glacial lake) between 1600 and 2000m of altitude. This area is sporty and accessible only by hiking. There are trout and also brook trout in some lakes, but due to the altitude, fishing is only possible from the end of May to June for the lakes. Otherwise the snow and the lakes are often frozen.

Corsica is mainly populated by salmonids, and trout are often from different strains.

The lower area between 800m and 1600m is characterized by mountain streams and rivers. This area is the most suitable for finding the endemic and emblematic trout of Corsica, the macrostigma.

Corsica is mainly populated by salmonids, and trout are often from different strains. This is the result of a stocking campaign, which has stopped since 2006. All the fish are therefore from natural reproduction. There are Atlantic strains which hybridized with local strains, a Mediterranean strain, and the ancestral strain (macrostigma) on a few isolated sites. You can also fish for brook trout on certain lakes.

The view from the author’s lodge.

Accessing this area can be challenging, but there are places where the road network sometimes allows a little easier access. However, the fly fisherman will be rewarded with a relatively easy area compared to the reputation that the Corsican maquis (wild backcountry) can have. The density of these populations is often remarkable and offers the fisherman the advantage of having partners for their sporting activity throughout the day. The disadvantage of this high density of fish is it often influences the size of the fish.

Rivers between 700-800m will be the easiest areas for fishermen.

The fishing period in this area varies according to the weather conditions of the moment, but between April and September is the best time of the year to fish on this type of ground. Rivers between 700800m will be the easiest areas for fishermen. There you will find the main and biggest rivers of the island, with larger fish sizes than the high-altitude sectors. The closer we get to the sea, the more this trend is confirmed. Fishing is less tiring here, and the fish are bigger but more difficult to catch. Only a good reading of the weather forecast will allow the fisherman to get there at the right time. Fortunately, surprises are not uncommon and the decor is well established. It’s part of the wonder that generally inspires the entire territory of Corsica.

Big or small, catching a macrostigma trout is always a very special moment.

Corsica is a wild southern destination where we can practice dry fly fishing from March to September very easily if we know its territory. Natural bait fishing, ultra-light lure fishing are also allowed, but the use of minnows is prohibited.

Guests have the possibility to stay in the Western center of Corsica between sea and mountain, in a new detached house with equipped kitchen and 2 beds provided for 4 people maximum. A real feeling of isolation in the Corsican maquis with amenities 2 km away, 5 minutes from the Gravona river and close to many great streams.

This lodge does not have an exclusive vocation for fishing but it is very convenient as a fishing guide to welcome my guests near my home. This facilitates meetings, activities with the rest of the family, discussions concerning ancillary activities (beaches, hiking, canyoning, etc.)

During summer, a lighly colored parachute is the go-to fly on most Corsican rivers.

The opening day took place on March 14 and my fisherman, a Swede who came before the Covid confinement, asks me on the phone if we can fly fish, «yes of course, dry fly fishing will be possible this week, the levels are good.» Our Nordic inhabitant who came for three days at the lodge during his week of vacation, discovers the island.

On opening morning, we were all excited by the atmosphere, the river was perfect, clear as usual with a perfect level to start.

On opening morning, we were all excited by the atmosphere, the river was perfect, clear as usual with a perfect level to start. A small parachute in size 14 should do the trick. After a few casts, the first fish come quickly to the net, and all the shallow areas give us satisfaction with a few active fish despite the still cold season. Where he lives, it’s snowy and cold at this time of year, but here in Corsica, we can already catch fish on dries!

A perfect example of a Corsican mountain stream.

Fishing with natural bait can be practiced throughout the territory with great success. I like to practice this technique, where I would do everything possible to catch a fish cleanly without harming it. The techniques to achieve this are a bit like nymph fly fishing.

Ultra-light fishing is also practicable, but generally a little later, from April 15th. It is often possible to alternate the 3 techniques in the same day depending on the profile of the river.

On hot days there are sheltered areas in the cool under the trees next to rivers full of fish.

Right in the center of the Mediterranean, Corsica experiences generally a quite rainy spring. The wet days are often intense but short, and it will be necessary to play with time to find the right sector. There is always a possibility to catch fish, even when it seems complicated. The summer is hot and drier, but Corsica is a mountain which gives us more diversity. On hot days there are sheltered areas in the cool under the trees next to rivers full of fish.

On August 11, 2020, we had a 38 °C heatwave in Ajaccio. My fisherman calls me: «It seems complicated for tomorrow, is it too hot?». I always have a few little secret places. «No worries, tomorrow we’ll drive 1 hour, walk 45 minutes and we will find a small shaded river. With an 8-foot rod it will be perfect». That day, we fished in 25°C with small caddis flies from 9am to 5pm, with regular activity and lots of fish brought to the net!

If we summarize, we can practice fly fishing from March to September. However, between April 15 and July 15, we have a better chance to have good conditions to fish the majority of the rivers before the summer heat. The period of September is also interesting when the first rains return. From canyoning, snorkeling, hiking, boating, to trout fishing, Corsica is a great outdoors destination for a fisherman and his family, a true gem on the Mediterranean coast of France.

The famous Capu di Muru tower, in Coti-Chiavari.

TRIP CONTACT

Jean-Christophe Barbier

revedepechecorse.com

E-mail: Jeancribarbier@ gmail.com

Tel: +33 6 09861830