Fishing trail – The Gijou Valley, Vabre area

The Gijou rises at Lacaune-les-Bains, in Lembas. After 48 kilometres, it joins the Agout beyond Vabre. It is classified as a Category 1 fishing river. It is managed as a heritage site. No surplus trout are released into the river. The entire river is designated a Natura 2000 site. Brown trout reign supreme here. They are often found alongside minnows and a few gudgeon.
From Lacaze to its confluence with the Agout, the Gijou becomes a small river that can reach 15 metres in width. Fishing here can be unpredictable, but even if you don’t see any activity, rest assured – the trout are definitely there!

Access:
From Lacaune-les-Bains, the Gijou is easily accessible as the D81 runs alongside it throughout. From Castres, take the D55 via Rpquecourbe, then the road to Vabre

Fishing Regulations
No-kill section from the iron bridge upstream to the Crouzigues road downstream.
Barbless hooks or hooks with flattened barbs.
Brown trout must be released immediately.

Fishing licence sales
Tourist Information Office (online fishing licences)
in Saint-Pierre-de-Trivisy – Tel.: 05 63 50 48 69

Highlights
Picnic area, walking trails, swimming pool, campsite,
playground. Lacaze, a picturesque medieval village, classified as a ‘
petite cité de caractère’ (small town of character), is nestled in the heart of the
Gijou valley and boasts a castle that once belonged
to the powerful Bourbons-Malauze family. The village of Vabre is
situated on the banks of the Gijou; it has retained its
mountainous character with its granite houses, its belfry, its
maquis exhibition and its many restored wash houses.