A wild ride
Located in the Nièvre region of central France, Nevers is a richly historic city also known for its famous motor racing circuit.
The Loire flows to the south of the town just before being joined by the Allier.
Not far upstream on the Loire, the town of Decize is also of interest to streetfishers, with its marina, canals, locks and old quays...
The wild Nevers course can be likened to a barbel zone.
The route features two huge bridges: a railway bridge downstream and an old road bridge typical of Loire bridges. There is a weir under the latter.
In addition to the Loire, there are canals to the south-east, as well as a marina and a dock.
To the north-east, the last section of the Nièvre is canalized and joins the Loire.
A spot to prospect
Upstream, the Pont de Loire, and especially the bridge sill, concentrate fish in the deeper zones where the current accelerates. Downstream, current veins and boulders offer complementary biotopes for stalking numerous predators.
Asp and sunfish fishing
The Loire at Nevers remains very wild and rich. Many species can be caught. The main attractions, however, are fishing for crappie and asp.
Dominant species
Asp, chub, perch, crappie, barbel, catfish, pike, pike-perch and even black bass are all present in the canals!
Adapt to target fish
It's hard to favour one technique over another.
First and foremost, you'll need to adapt to the fish you're after: in UL, you'll be able to track perch and crappie in scree slopes and rocky faults...
In L or ML, we'll go after barbel and chub, on sight with a micro jig or by methodically combing the current veins.
In M or MH, we'll be tackling the new lord of the waters: the asp, which has been very present for some fifteen years now. The evening shot in powerful currents is highly relevant.
You can also prospect the vegetation-rich edges in search of pike. Stickbaits and minnows imitating the abundant bleak usually produce a good fly.
Finally, with heavy tackle, you can even hope to catch a catfish over 2 metres long in the powerful currents of the Loire, when these have decided to attack the hotus, barbel and other chub in the rapids.
Our tips for success
Don't spread yourself too thin. One or two rods are all you need to target the species you want to track.
