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: 741
Largest Fish: 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Average size: 7.7 kg (16.98 lbs)

Summer arrived on Gaula last week with a hot and steady dry spell, this saw catches slow up somewhat. The good news is that more salmon are turning up in the Trondheim fjord everyday and with a slight cooling in the weather we are seeing fish caught regularly throughout the system. This season so far there have been 2 fish over 40 lbs and 20 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: 6
Largest Fish: 9 kg (19.84 lbs)
Average size: 6.6 kg (14.55 lbs)

With the river looking in fantastic condition it was only a matter of time before Winsnes Lodge registered its first salmon of the 2023 season. Owner Matt Hayes made the most of a dip in air temperatures to claim honours this season with a lovely fish of 12 lbs taken from the tail of Kjellfloa on a nasty banana fly. This kick started a run of six fresh fish in a matter of a couple of days. A new group of anglers arrived on Monday and we are anticipating more fish before the week is out.

Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club

Total Catch in 2022: 340
Total Catch in 2023: 24
Largest Fish: 12.5 kg (27.56 lbs)
Average size: 8.55 kg (18.85 lbs)

Like much of the Gaula, we are expecting good things from the NFC water this season. Like the whole river, NFC battled with less than optimum bright and hot conditions but with their water variety there was enough happening for anglers to keep catching. With salmon numbers increasing in the lower valley we are anticipating some exciting fishing over the next couple of weeks.

Last Minute Availability
Week 31 (30 July to 5 August): 3 rods available. £1,860 per person
Week 32 (5 to 13 August): 3 rods available. £1,830 per person

The Orkla

Total catch in 2022: 6,318
Current recorded catch for 2023: 504
Largest Fish: 17.5 kg (38.58 lbs)
Average size: 7.9 kg (17.42 lbs)

The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, the fishing did drop off during a spell of hot and bright weather after a great kick-off. That said, with a slight cooling in the weather and an increase in salmon entering the river we have seen an uptick in action the last couple of days. So far this season there have been 9 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 arrived on Sunday to a welcome dip in air temperatures from last week. They wasted no time on Monday morning with Jamie landing a lovely salmon of 15 lbs from Resstraumen, and another fish lost. In the afternoon Allan caught a beautiful and fresh 22 lbs male salmon from Hilstad-Ree. Some cooler and more overcast conditions are forecast for later in the week so hopefully this brings about a pickup in action.

The Lakselv

Total catch in 2022: 936
Current recorded catch for 2023: 2
Largest Fish: 8.4 kg (18.52 lbs)
Average size: 7.2 kg (15.87 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 group 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.

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: 741
Largest Fish: 20 kg (44.09 lbs)
Average size: 6.5 kg (14.33 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 7 fish over 40 lbs and 19 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: 23
Largest Fish: 14.5 kg (31.97 lbs)
Average size: 6.6 kg (14.55 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. Yellow and black flies with flash have been most productive. The river is in great condition with flows around 240 cubics and water temperature hovering around 13 Celsius. 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.