Steve Arnold
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2020
- Messages
- 98
- Reaction score
- 810
- Points
- 83
- Location
- Cahors, France
- Favourite Fishing
- Shore
I have only just noticed this forum has a freshwater section, so here is the story of my river fishing since moving to France nearly four years ago.
My wife and I sold almost everything we owned and moved to France from Scotland. What we had left (still plenty of fishing tackle!) was barely fitted into our car, trailer and roofbox.

It was a 1000 mile drive and ferry crossing to reach the Lot department in France. Driving through England was a miserable chore with roadworks and tailbacks in so many places, that memory will stick with us should we ever consider returning to the UK!
When we drove off the ferry into France the remainder of the drive south was bliss, good roads and so little traffic!
We had hired a Gite (holiday home) for a few months, later we moved into a long term rental which is proving to be our perfect retirement location. Five roads to different sections of the Lot, two major towns within a 30 minute drive and the main north-south motorway close enough as well. Our village has all the amenities we require if we do not want to drive.
The river Lot was written about in angling magazines 50 years ago, those words and photos stuck in my mind all this time. I hope when you see my photos they will be as memorable for you!
This is a weir about 10 minutes drive away from our home....

and a 13lb carp I caught there not long after taking that photo....

This is a difficult river to fish much of the time. It needs a good flow to get the fish feeding but as there are several barrages and hydro-electric stations you can never be sure what to expect. You might get to the river and find a torrent or a tepid lake! I have to have tackle to suit so many species and conditions, but it keeps things interesting!
About 30 minutes drive west there is the lovely town of Cahors, nestling in this loop of the Lot.....

Plenty of good fishing within the town boundaries!
You can see why we love our new home so much! Glad we escaped the UK whilst we still had the chance, we are in the health system here and have our residency cards and driving licences. Just scraped these tedious tasks in before Brexit was finalised, it would be difficult (impossible!) now!
I will continue with fishy photos on another post later......
My wife and I sold almost everything we owned and moved to France from Scotland. What we had left (still plenty of fishing tackle!) was barely fitted into our car, trailer and roofbox.

It was a 1000 mile drive and ferry crossing to reach the Lot department in France. Driving through England was a miserable chore with roadworks and tailbacks in so many places, that memory will stick with us should we ever consider returning to the UK!
When we drove off the ferry into France the remainder of the drive south was bliss, good roads and so little traffic!
We had hired a Gite (holiday home) for a few months, later we moved into a long term rental which is proving to be our perfect retirement location. Five roads to different sections of the Lot, two major towns within a 30 minute drive and the main north-south motorway close enough as well. Our village has all the amenities we require if we do not want to drive.
The river Lot was written about in angling magazines 50 years ago, those words and photos stuck in my mind all this time. I hope when you see my photos they will be as memorable for you!
This is a weir about 10 minutes drive away from our home....

and a 13lb carp I caught there not long after taking that photo....

This is a difficult river to fish much of the time. It needs a good flow to get the fish feeding but as there are several barrages and hydro-electric stations you can never be sure what to expect. You might get to the river and find a torrent or a tepid lake! I have to have tackle to suit so many species and conditions, but it keeps things interesting!
About 30 minutes drive west there is the lovely town of Cahors, nestling in this loop of the Lot.....

Plenty of good fishing within the town boundaries!
You can see why we love our new home so much! Glad we escaped the UK whilst we still had the chance, we are in the health system here and have our residency cards and driving licences. Just scraped these tedious tasks in before Brexit was finalised, it would be difficult (impossible!) now!
I will continue with fishy photos on another post later......
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