The route
The Vienne River in Limoges is one of France's finest streetfishing courses. The town, famous for its porcelain, is also very popular with anglers.
Known for its technical and capricious nature, the Limoges street fishing course is surely the one where the most StreetFishing competitions have been held in France since 2008!
In addition to fishing, the town offers many places to eat and share a convivial moment with friends.
Here, the Vienne offers a wide and heterogeneous course, with alternating weirs, old and new bridges, rapids, deep slow zones... Upstream and downstream are relatively unspoilt. The banks are very accessible, lined with a path shared by cyclists, pedestrians and anglers.
Hot spot
In Limoges, it's hard to say which zone is more favourable than another. Over many years of competition, we've always observed that podium finishes were achieved from one year to the next in very different zones.
You need to prospect methodically and find the species that are active and the areas where they are found: downstream of weirs, deep areas, rapids, etc.
All of them can be very productive or completely extinct!
Special features
The Vienne's rich, acidic waters and limestone substrate provide an ideal habitat for many species of fish.
The Vienne River at Limoges is a "barbel zone".
Thresholds punctuate the course, alternating between rapids and deeper, calmer zones.
You need to adapt your prospecting speed and fixtures to each type of zone.
Dominant species
Perch (perch over 40 cm are not uncommon), chub, barbel, pike and fario trout are just some of the species that can be encountered.
Suitable techniques and preferred lures
Micro jigs and small shads on lead heads or light Texan rigs are very effective on most species on the water. Metal paddle lures such as micro spinnerbaits can also make perch react in spring.
Our tips and tricks for success
In the whisky-colored waters of the Vienne region, cherry coke, cola and black colors are formidable!
Given the size of the fish involved (large perch, chub, barbel, trout and pike) and the strength of the current in certain areas, an ML rod is more suitable than an ultra-light rod.
Finally, when the water is low and clear, it is possible and advisable to sight-fish for fish, which can be very visible.
Fishing for chub with insect lures, once very effective, has become extremely tricky over the years.
The latter are very much in demand during competitions and by local streetfisheurs. They've become very wary and reticent!
