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In the heart of winter 2026, the forecast rain wasn't enough to dissuade us. That Sunday, I met up with Florian, my long-time accomplice, for a reservoir fly-fishing session at Moulin de Gémages, in Val-au-Perche. The sky is low, the air humid, but the motivation intact. Whipping streamers in the middle of winter remains a promise we keep, whatever the conditions.
A morning punctuated by first touches
After a briefing full of advice from Ivan Iannaccone, master of the site, the morning got off to a flying start. The rainbow trout responded to the first drifts. The bites are delicate, the hooks reactive and strong.
An alis char completes the picture, with its very own colors. The fish are active despite the cold water, proving that the reservoir remains remarkably dynamic in winter.
At 12:30, the bell rings. Taking a well-deserved break, we stride back to the mill, warm by the fire. Clothes dry, hands warm and the debriefing begins.
The shop, the heart of the estate
The eye then wanders into the shop. The shop windows are superb. Flies, rods, silks, everything exudes passionate fly-fishing passion and a taste for beautiful things. The place invites contemplation as much as technical reflection.
Ivan also sells flies made by himself, perfectly adapted to the biotope.
Afternoon of doubts and adjustments
At 2pm, we return to the water's edge. The rain stops, we're refreshed and motivated. Between 2pm and 3pm, the water begins to run dry. We see a few eddies on the surface that keep us determined. Then activity picks up again on black streamers, animated by soft knitting on the bottom. I miss two bows. At least there's some doubt about the line's weave. I haven't been reactive enough to this game. I change water. A ray of sunshine finally breaks through.
The response is immediate. A superb fario trout takes hold of the fly. The size is satisfactory and the colors magnificent. It's for these moments that we make the trip.
The fish of a season
A few minutes later, Florian calls me. The tone is different. The fish is heavy. I approach, landing net in hand, rather quietly at this stage. And then, the shadow appears, massive. An unusual "bow". The first flick of the landing net leaves me in doubt.
I wonder how this monster is going to get dry with the medium-sized landing net. Ultra-concentrated, a little stressed, the second try is the right one. It's an 83-centimetre specimen. The photos freeze the moment.
A fitting end to the day
We've decided to leave it at that. Such an ending calls for nothing more. In winter, reservoir fly fishing can offer much more than a single session. It can be the highlight of an entire season, or even of an angler's life. The outcome of our 2026 salmon project: a resounding success and a lasting memory.
