Salmon fly fishing is a hugely weather and water condition led pursuit, and with extremely high water conditions in Norway in 2017 followed by record lows in 2018, we have been delighted to see conditions in 2019 to be much more inline with where they should be. Most rivers have seen good runs.
The Gaula
2019 Total River catch to date: 1,903
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 1,216
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 683
Largest Fish: 21 kg (46.3 lbs)
Average size: 6.85 kg (15.1 lbs)
Winsnes Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 44
Current catch in June: 24
Current catch in July: 20
Largest Fish: 15.9 kg (35 lbs)
Average size: 8.3 kg (18.3 lbs)
As June progressed the fishing has really picked up on the beats at Winsnes Lodge. With good early season flows it took the fish some time to make it up passed the Gaulfossen waterfall to reach the Winsnes beats but when they arrived we found them extremely strong, healthy and big this year.
The first week in July saw a rise in the water level and a 3 degree drop in temperature which made for a slow start, but as conditions began to even out the eight rods soon began to find the fish with all pools holding fish now. A total of 18 salmon were landed, of which seven were over 20 lbs.
Last chance availability:
21 – 28 July (week 30 – 1 rod): £2,250 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
28 July – 4 August (week 31 – 4 rods): £1,950 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
4 – 11 August (week 32 – 4 rods): £1,800 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
11 – 18 August (week 33 – 6 rods): £1,800 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
18 – 25 August (week 34 – 5 rods): £1,800 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club
2019 Total catch to date: 83
Current catch in June: 63
Current catch in July: 20
Largest Fish: 17.1 kg (37.7 lbs)
Average size: 7.9 kg (17.4 lbs)
In June the NFC waters may not have seen record numbers of fish but the average weight has been very impressive. The lodge benefits from have beats both above and below Gaulfossen waterfall and they started to encounter fish virtually from the start of the season.
Much like Winsnes Lodge, the NFC water experienced the same rise in height and drop in temperature last week. The conditions last slightly longer due to it being lower on the river system but fishing picked up towards the end of the week.
Last chance availability:
14 – 21 July (week 29): prime week
4 – 11 August (week 32): good numbers of fish throughout
18 – 25 August (week 34): good numbers of fish throughout
The Orkla
2019 Total River catch to date: 1,424
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 1,022
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 683
Largest Fish: 19.4 kg (42.8 lbs)
Average size: 6.82 kg (15 lbs)
Aunan Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 45
Current catch in June: 35
Current catch in July: 10
Largest Fish: 14.3 kg (31.5 lbs)
Average size: 8.71 kg (19.2 lbs)
The catch this season so far is very much in line with recent years, but still, June has been unusual catch-wise at Aunan. A total number of 35 salmon was reached in 2016, 2017 and 2018, but the average weight so far this season is quite unique: 8.99 kilos / 19.8 lbs.
It has never happened before in Aunan Lodge’s 15 year long history that the first 31 salmon caught on our beat has been a “storlaks” (big salmon, i.e. 7 kilos or bigger). Several of the guests have recorded their biggest salmon ever, and they take memories back with them that will last a lifetime.
Last chance availability:
28 July – 4 August (week 31 – 2 rods): £2,450 per person (good numbers of fish in the Aunan beats – Last minute special offer)
The Lakselv
2019 Total River catch to date: 95
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 59
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 36
Largest Fish: 17 kg (37.5 lbs)
Average size: 10.05 kg (22.16 lbs)
Oldero Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 12
Current catch in June: 6
Current catch in July: 6
Largest Fish: 14.5 kg (32 lbs)
Average size: 10.23 kg (22.55 lbs)
Being much further north in Norway the salmon season takes longer to get going, with many river opening towards the end of June and July. The Oldero Lodge landed their first salmon of the season on the 24th June, with fish following most days since then.
The biggest fish so far was just over 30 lbs but given the average sizes seen elsewhere throughout Norway we expect it will not be long until some giant salmon start being hooked.
The first anglers have been enjoying various updates to the lodge and the fishing, with the new drying room a hit. Anglers are also able to explore seven different beats with the lodge offering more pool variety through the week.
Last chance availability:
18 – 25 August (week 34 – 2 rods): £6,250 per rod
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.