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 now at the midway point of the season with mixed fishing this year, water levels have tended to be at the lower end of the average but more frequent rains have helped in that regard. The runs started well but the peak run has been down this year in the Trondheim area in particular, but recent rains seem to have got fish moving and taking again.

The Gaula

Total catch in 2022: 6,424
Current recorded catch for 2023: 2,339
Largest Fish: 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Average size: 6.3 kg (13.89 lbs)

July has enjoyed several intense periods of rain which have produced good pulses of fresh water throughout the system. The fishing has often been good at the start of the rise and from about 24 hours after the peak. This season so far there have been 2 fish over 40 lbs and 33 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: 72
Largest Fish: 10 kg (22.05 lbs)
Average size: 6.5 kg (14.33 lbs)

Over the last couple of weeks the fishing has been tougher than normal for what would be regarded as the prime weeks of the season. Despite good water conditions, anglers have been switching over to smaller leaders and smaller flies and tubes to make things happen. These are tactics we typically see in late July and August. With the increase in rain we hope to see the main run appearing a little later this season with the interesting late July and August weeks yet to come.

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): 6 rods available

Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club

Total Catch in 2022: 340
Total Catch in 2023: 139
Largest Fish: 14 kg (30.86 lbs)
Average size: 6.74 kg (14.86 lbs)

Due to its location on the middle Gaula above and below Gaulfossen, the recent rains in July have had a positive affect on the fishing at NFC almost instantaneously. With all beats now producing fish, it is an exciting time to be on this part of the river. A good amount of fresh middle size salmon are still appearing and we hope to see that trend continue.

The Orkla

Total catch in 2022: 6,318
Current recorded catch for 2023: 1,848
Largest Fish: 17.5 kg (38.58 lbs)
Average size: 6 kg (13.23 lbs)

The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, with some slow periods seen in late June and early July it now seems that the fish are beginning to become active again with fish being caught more frequently throughout the system. So far this season there have been 21 of salmon over 30 lbs too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.

Last Minute Availability at Grindal Lodge
Week 31/32 (2 to 9 August): rods available
Week 33/34 (16 to 23 August): rods available

The Lakselv

Total catch in 2022: 936
Current recorded catch for 2023: 8 (Most catches recorded at the end of the season)
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: (Catches recorded at the end of the season)
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –

The start of prime season in the north was greeted with unrelenting 24 hour sunshine and 30C temperatures, not ideal fishing conditions yet a number of fresh fish made an appearance to over 30 lbs. The fishing was tricky and good presentation, floating lines and smaller flies were key. Conditions now seem to have broken and good numbers of salmon are appearing so we hope to see an uptick in fishing over the next couple of weeks.

The Namsen

Total catch in 2022: 5,193
Current recorded catch for 2023: 2,133
Largest Fish: 20 kg (44.09 lbs)
Average size: 4.4 kg (9.70 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 27 of salmon over 30 lbs too, four 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: to be recorded at end of season
Largest Fish: 19.33 kg (42.62 lbs)
Average size: to be recorded at end of season

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. Anglers who want to add to the excitement have been enjoying fantastic action on riffling hitch tubes with plenty of takes but mixed results on landing salmon.

For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.