The 2023 Norway salmon fishing season once again brings much excitement and hopefully the chance of a few big salmon. There were reasonable snow levels through the winter leading to the opening, and a cold drizzly spring has meant that the snow pack hung around, but a hot June has melted that off but levels remain largely stable. We are moving into the prime weeks for the rivers in mid-Norway and the main start for the rivers in the north. We have seen healthy average sizes across Norway and good numbers so far, with all this we are very positive about the season ahead.
The Gaula
Total catch in 2022: 6,424
Current recorded catch for 2023: 1,147
Largest Fish: 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Average size: 7.3 kg (16.09 lbs)
Summer conditions continued last week on the Gaula with the mercury topping out at 30C and water levels remaining low. Anglers who fished early and late were still rewarded with some lovely catches as the runs continue to pick up. The good news is that the weather is set to break today and just in time for the peak of the salmon run. This season so far there have been 2 fish over 40 lbs and 25 of salmon over 30 lbs too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Winsnes Lodge
Total Catch in 2022: 154
Total catch in 2023: 21
Largest Fish: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
Average size: 6.65 kg (14.66 lbs)
Report from Matt Hayes at Winsnes Lodge:
A very nice kick-off week here at Winsnes Fly Fishing Lodge. We have enjoyed some of the best water conditions I have witnessed in my time on Gaula. The flow has been sublime and the fly drift has been as good as I have seen it for a long time. However weather plagued the daytime fishing but we kept scratching them out, especially in the morning/evening sessions.
An eclectic mixture of Norwegians, Swedes and Brits had a great time and new friends have been made during the fireside chats and the after fishing social. A real pleasure to host this group – what a great week.
A decent starting week for us with three fish over 20 pounds in the mix. A special mention to Bill and Adam who were first timers here and were a joy to host. Bill caught his first Norwegian salmon (and his second) and his ghillie netted them both. Great to see Per and Hasse, also first-timers, take so readily to it and I know that they loved the lodge and the rotation fishing system.
In summary – a really great week in the best of company and a few fish caught to boot as well.
Last Minute Availability
Week 30 (23 to 30 July): 2 rods available
Week 31 (30 July to 6 August): 2 rods available
Week 33 (13 to 20 August): 2 rods available
Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2022: 340
Total Catch in 2023: 58
Largest Fish: 12.5 kg (27.56 lbs)
Average size: 8.34 kg (18.39 lbs)
Like much of the Gaula, the last week the water levels have dropped away with bright sunny conditions and clear water. NFC with their water variety were still able to make the most of the growing runs of fresh fish. With the rain arriving today and better conditions in the forecast we are expecting great things over the next couple of weeks.
Last Minute Availability
Week 31 (30 July to 6 August): 3 rods available. £1,860 per person
The Orkla
Total catch in 2022: 6,318
Current recorded catch for 2023: 716
Largest Fish: 17.5 kg (38.58 lbs)
Average size: 7.6 kg (16.76 lbs)
The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, the overall catches improved in Week 25 although not as much as we would normally expect due to the tough hot and sunny conditions and dropping water levels. That said, runs are improving daily as are the conditions. So far this season there have been 13 of salmon over 30 lbs too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Our latest report from Gjaeret Lodge on the middle river came in yesterday;
The first Aardvark group of the season fished at the lodge last week. After a good start the water and weather conditions tailed off to make the fishing challenging. Despite this the group landed four lovely salmon, including two over 20 lbs. A further three were unfortunately lost.
Looking ahead, the last of the hot weather is almost behind us and rain and thunderstorms are forecast, thankfully! Big runs of fresh fish are now entering the lower system so all is needed is a deluge to bring them upstream.
The Lakselv
Total catch in 2022: 936
Current recorded catch for 2023: 8
Largest Fish: 16.0 kg (35.27 lbs)
Average size: 10.5 kg (23.15 lbs)
Oldero Lodge
Total Catch in 2022: 112
Total Catch in 2023: –
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
The fishing on the Lakselv and at Oldero Lodge always is a bit slower to get going due to being far up in the north of Norway. The lodge is now open with the first groups out fishing, and with the main spring flood through the system we are hopeful that the first groups at Oldero will experience some wonderful fishing. It is still early season so whilst catches remain low, should anything be hooked it is likely to be very special. with the latest big fish recorded yesterday on the river at a touch over 35 lbs.
Last Minute Availability
30 July to 6 August (Week 31) – 1 rod available prime time
The Namsen
Total catch in 2022: 5,193
Current recorded catch for 2023: 1,124
Largest Fish: 20 kg (44.09 lbs)
Average size: 5.9 kg (13.01 lbs)
The Namsen lies just north of Trondheim and has a rich history for big salmon. It is a much bigger river than the likes of the Gaula and Orkla so whilst fly fishing is not always the primary method there are some lovely beats suited for fly fishing. The 2023 season has continued its fantastic start with much of the river recording some wonderful salmon. So far this season there have been 8 fish over 40 lbs and 21 of salmon over 30 lbs too, three of these fish were taken on fly. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Namsentunet Lodge
Total Catch in 2023: 73 (including Fiskumfoss)
Largest Fish: 19.33 kg (42.62 lbs)
Average size: 4.51 kg (9.94 lbs)
The fishing at Namsentunet is enjoying a mix of medium and large salmon across its fishing. Those who are fly fishing are finding success with a mix of floating and sinking lines, up to Sink 8 in some pools. The day time fishing has been quite slow due to bright and hot conditions, but the night times have been excellent. With the prime weeks of the season to come we have high expectations.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.