L'ALLIER

The crystalline waters of this river, with its renowned halieutic quality, are home to both a population of trout with a glittery coat and a native population of common grayling; at spawning time, the large male grayling are dressed in a ceremonial anthracite grey colour with steel blue reflections, characteristic of this "Allier" strain. In these cold and lively waters, the size of the trout remains modest to an average of 28 to 30 cm in the gorges. Whatever its size, the Allier trout shows a formidable combativeness, capable of satisfying the most demanding fisherman; minnows, gudgeons, sculpins and big barbels mingle with trout and grayling as well as chub and vandoises abundant in the downstream zone. River of 1st category.