Complicated beginnings
After several unsuccessful sessions on the banks of the Verdon, mainly due to high water flows, I decided to take my revenge and set off early to fish at sunrise. By law, we're allowed to start fishing 30 minutes before sunrise, and with a 1.5-hour drive ahead of us, we set off at 4.30am. By the time we arrived, our usual spots were virtually impassable, the water dirty and the current far too strong. The first two hours passed without a single touch, and morale took a hit. Fortunately, the sky was overcast and I knew of a few spots where the current would be less strong and fish might be found.
The first fish seen
When we arrived in a calm area, the trout were quick to respond, with a touch from a 40 cm fish and a follow up from a small one. This is a good omen, as the day is just beginning. In an area a little further downstream, I spot my first big fish emerging from the boulders under my feet and following my lure without grabbing it. Another fish of around 50 cm follows my fishing partner's swimmer fish, also very close to the bank. The pattern is set, we're going to have to fish calm zones and counter-currents lined with large rocks that provide shelter for the fish. As the main water veins are still far too powerful for the trout, all the fish have gathered around the edges.
A record and a surprise
Moving further down the river, I come across a spot I'd spotted in previous sessions, which perfectly matches the type of area we're looking for. It's a nice, sheltered edge to the current, lined with trees and drowned rocks, with water clear enough for our lures to be effective. We chose a Daiwa D'Fin 4"fr">
