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Last week

Last updated: Tuesday 25th August

Report for the fortnight ending 23rd August 2009.

There is only one week remaining of the Norwegian salmon fishing season (ends 31st August, but a few rivers can continue until 15th September), and the previous fortnight confirms the overall picture of the season. A good start in June on most rivers gradually faded out during July and a relatively slight increase in August followed for some. With regards to two of the major Norwegian rivers, the Orkla and the Gaula, a possible reason for some acceptable fishing might be that there are no bag-net-fishing after 4th August. Rune Krogdahl, the manager of Orkla River, states that this could be another indication of the negative effects from bag-nets and bend-nets (Finnmark County) ¡© when bag-net-fishermen start the season around 20th June.

The situation for the Gaula River gives another impression as the August statistics give a clear indication of fewer salmon caught. However, this can also be due to fewer anglers on the river as well as combination of low water and spate conditions, not allowing for proper fly fishing. The reported catch statistics from Gaula River shows a marked decrease for July and August compared to June.

Rivers in the Arctic part of Norway, particularly the Lakselv and Beiar rivers seem to have better fortunes than the southern rivers. Although not a top season, both rivers have had good catches of medium-to-large salmon during the last fortnight, with 11-year-old Kristoffer Trones Steen catching a marvellous 15.3 kilo (34lb) salmon on the Larsos beat, Beiar River.

Even better still on 11th August on the Lakselv River, one person caught a 17.0 kilo (37lb) and thereafter a 22.0 kilo (48lb) on the same day! Lakselv River is geographically very close to the famous Alta River and this beautiful fly-fishing river is also starting matching its much more famous neighbour. Something anyone should reflect on with regard to next season. Get in touch by emailling harald.oyen@fish-norway.com for more information. Well, I had the pleasure of fishing both the Alta and Lakselv rivers during the last fortnight, together with master speycaster Gary Scott. Gary won the famous Alta River lottery and got two day's fishing on two of last season's best stretches. Lucky I was invited to experience the thrills of this jewel in the crown of Norwegian salmon rivers. No complaints, but we only touched grilse without any being landed. The river level was well below the summer markers and the salmon runs were regarded as poor by the Alta standards.

The Lakselv River fishing brought better news as Gary Scott caught a beautiful 25lb cock salmon, quite silvery and so it could only have been in the river a week or so. I was fishing without a barb on my hook and lost a newly run 25-30lb salmon on the lower stretches of the river. In total - a worthwhile week in the Arctic - and we coped quite well with the mosquitoes too!

Harald Oyen

Beat catches reported
(week ending 29th August)
SALMON & GRILSE: None reported
SEA TROUT: None reported
TROUT: None reported

Gareth Craze with his 48½lb salmon caught on a Sunray Shadow on Lakselva.

Gaula's 2009 catches - click to enlarge

Jon Kjelden, chairman of the Gaula River Association

Willi Angele's 43-pounder caught on a spinnner at Hembre Farm, Stjørdal River on Friday 19th June 2009 at 11.00. The 'fish of a lifetime' as Willi said.

This is Bjorn Hansen with his 17.5 kilo (38lb) fly-caught salmon on the Aunemo beat, Orkla River on 10/06/09.

Opening week on Namsen Adventure, Namsen River

Season review

As the season does not start until 1 June, there are nothing to report until 20 June. However, this is a short summary of the 2008 season. A staggering 2,000 to 2,100 salmon in the 20-30lb range were landed during the first 3 weeks of the 2008 season (season starts 1 June) on the major Central Norwegian rivers - Namsen, Verdal, Stj&oslah;rdal, Gaula, Orkla and Surna. This positive trend continued until rising temperatures and lower water levels foreshortened a bumper season.

All the major rivers throughout Norway experienced a good season in 2008, particularly in the increased numbers of big salmon during the first part. Alta River alone had several dozens of 40-pounders, although you need a hefty bank account to get onto this 'Jewel of the Crown' of Norwegian salmon rivers. Nevertheless, the Orkla, Gaula and Namsen rivers were not far behind with good samples of 40 to 50 pounders. Large salmon were also reported from numerous well and lesser known rivers all over Norway. What caused this extremely positive start to the 2008 season? It reflected a positive combination of Government policy change, conscience and conservation.2 DÜ 2NŒš2styl

Reports & News

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