The river is called the Fier, just near Annecy, France. It is a mountain river.
To fish on this magnificent alpine river located near Annecy, there are three imperatives to follow for a successful brown trout fishing experience and to approach the water with confidence while maximizing your chances of catching fish...
Every summer, I am in Annecy with my family, which means I am on the Fier river every day.
"In the beginning, I struggled, but then I found the right formula. I caught several brown trout over 40 centimeters, and a massive 46-centimeter trout. I landed a 40+ fish almost every evening!"
Fishing in the early evening is a must !
I would say the best months for fishing in the Fier are April, May, June, then September, and October. During the summer, fishing can still be good (even very good), but you must go at the right times, especially since, due to climate change, the summer temperatures in Annecy can be sweltering. There's hope for those who are just passing through Annecy.
Good news for those who are just passing through Annecy.
For me, the morning session starts around 5-6 in the morning and goes until 10-11. It's nice, but I have a real preference for the evening session (from 18:00 to 22:00) because I can fish until nightfall, unlike in the morning when I always feel like I'm running late (and waking up can be a bit tough...).
In the evening, I also feel that the larger trouts are more likely to move up from the pools to "nymph" much more than in the morning. This makes fishing more productive.
Read also : Fishing big brown trouts in the most mythical river in Haute Savoie, France. A must do !
Focus on the real "gold" areas.
The Fier is a large river of 71 kilometers, and it can be challenging to choose the right fishing spot without information. I will talk about the part I know, which is the plain of Alex.
For me (and this information applies to brown trout and ONLY brown trout), I prefer to fish the Fier downstream of the Onnex bridge and upstream of the Dingy bridge.
Please note: the area with gorges downstream of the Dingy bridge (below the Roman road) up to the Onnex bridge is a protected area. Fishing there is strictly prohibited, and fish wardens are very active on the Fier, especially in this area.
My favorite fishing spot starts at the Dingy bridge. The Fier alternates between very deep pools followed by long shallows. Using live minnows on a float will be the most effective technique because in the summer, the trout gather in the deeper holes to find cooler water.
Forget the shallows in the summer! They're too warm! Continuing in the plain of Alex, the holes become even deeper. Fishing deep is crucial in this sector. But I'll come back to that..
"This sector (the plain of Alex) is my favorite. It's on this stretch of river that I caught my biggest trophy of the summer: a 46 cm brown trout! I released it."
A little further, toward La Balme de Thuy, the section of the Fier becomes smaller with a lower flow. There are many trout, but they are smaller in size (I've seen/fished few over 40+).
The Jerk and the Minnow, my two deadly weapons !
Indeed, on this river, I swear by two tried-and-true techniques, both highly effective. The first technique, the jerk, is straightforward, and I use it almost exclusively with suspending Jerks of 5 to 7 cm. Natural colors, such as black, bullhead, and gudgeon, work best for me. I prefer jerks with very pronounced movements and short pauses.
This technique is quite successful with trout, especially the larger ones!
To be noticed: However, during the summer, I noticed that I lost many fish. My hypothesis is that the trout, during low water conditions, might chase the lure (due to the noise) but may not necessarily want to eat it, which explains the frustrating strikes that are difficult to hook. Another explanation could be that my hooks might be a bit worn and barbless...
"The jerk has several advantages, such as the number of strikes and ease of setup, but the number of unhooked fish is quite high, especially in the summer."
On the other hand, the minnow on a float produces the exact opposite effect. It's a deeper, more discreet, and more natural method that truly encourages the trout to feed. I noticed that using this technique, I lost significantly fewer fish, especially the 40+ trout.
On the Fier, where trout are quite educated, this technique allowed me to catch my biggest specimens this summer.
"For the minnow, the significant advantage is that when the trout strikes, it's usually to feed. However, this technique does require a certain amount of small equipment and raises ethical questions."
In short, for trout fishing in Annecy, the Fier river remains the best option for me. The river is incredibly beautiful, easily accessible, and you can catch some very large trout there. However, if we're talking about excellent fishing spots in Haute Savoie or Savoie (roughly within a 1.5-hour radius of Annecy), there are other, lesser-known but fantastic areas to explore. I'll let you discover my spots in Chamonix and Savoie...
Reed also: Chamonix is not only about hiking. Live huge fishing experiences in the Chamonix's moutain lakes !!
Also to visit in between Annecy and Thônes
The village of Thônes is very typical, and if you love Reblochon cheese, it's an essential stop. Be aware, you're entering 'The Reblochon Capital'!
According to my father, you can also take a trip to the Col des Aravis. Otherwise, a great alternative is to go to La Croix Fry (where he learned skiing as he is a local guy). He still talks about the blueberry tarts or the gratin dauphinois from Fonfon's restaurant. Seriously...
For something more cultural, there's the Château de Menthon,
Last but not least, you can visit the Maurette cemetery where the maquisards from Glières are buried. It's a must-do even if I can't quite recall the museum at the Plateau des Glières and its film about the resistance.
Good article !