The majestic Loire
The latest count, in 2021, was 1663 Cussacoises and Cussacois. In Cussac-sur-Loire, a small village near Le Puy-en-Velay, you won't find treasures of Romanesque architecture, nor any trace of a flamboyant medieval past. On the other hand, the Loire route that runs through it is very attractive. The Loire is majestic, at times languid in long, wide chasms, at other times fiery with fast, well-oxygenated currents.
That morning, Julien, our local guide, was well advised to take J.L. and me to the edge of a large alfalfa field. Suddenly stopping like Brittany spaniels, we watched Messire Goupil marauding through the undergrowth. Starting our fishing trip by ogling a fox seemed a better omen than coming across a black cat.
The morning was full of tips and discoveries, but trout and grayling were reluctant to show themselves. Julien decided to change sector. Arriving just below the confluence of the two arms of the river, the spectacle was provided by a superb griffon vulture perched on a large dry tree. As the huge scavenger leapt from its perch up the riverbed, a shiver ran through our group.
Trout come out of their torpor
Fishing took over again and a few trout were the victims of our nymphs. The hour was now warm. This led to an encounter with a ravishing undine ready to bathe in the clear water of a beautiful basin carved out of the bedrock. Rest assured, after a few complimentary comments, attention quickly turned back to the river's profile.
In the late afternoon, the sun began to fade. Mayflies and caddisflies appeared, and the trout came out of their torpor. At the end of the day, it was J.L. who brought the party to a close. After a fierce battle under the foliage, avoiding a slide on the large pebbles, he managed to guide a magnificent and very brave fario trout towards my landing net. It was longer than both my outstretched hands, and it was with boundless admiration that we returned it to its element. What a day! The decision was made on the spot: we'll be coming back to Cussac-sur-Loire!
