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 has stayed in the mountains. This will hopefully provide good water through the spring and mid-summer weeks. Test fishing in fjords around Trondheim in May showed that there were slightly more fish around than this time last year, and of those there was a higher proportion of large salmon as opposed to medium fish. With all this we are very positive about the season ahead.
The Gaula
Current recorded catch for 2023: 324
Largest Fish: 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Average size: 7.7 kg (16.98 lbs)
Heading into the opening day on the Gaula, anglers could not have asked for much better water conditions with a dropping river from 350 cubic dropping to 200 through Gaulfoss. There were high hopes that fish would be spread out through the lower river but also move above the Gaulfoss into the wonderful middle reaches too. By the 3rd day of the season this was proved true with fish landed above the Gaulfoss. The opening days of the season there have been 2 fish over 40 lbs and 12 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: 0
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
The opening weeks at Winsnes are rarely made available until just prior to the season when conditions are more predictable, so as yet the first guests have not fished. Conditions however are looking fantastic and the early weeks have now been made available, these could be a great option for anyone who wants the opportunity to target big and fresh salmon. From what we have seen so far we are expecting a number of big fish to come from the Gaula this season.
Last Minute Availability
Week 23 (half week – 7 to 11 June): 6 rods available. £1,170 per person
Week 24 (11 to 18 June): 6 rods available. £2,320 per person
Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2022: 340
Total Catch in 2023: 4
Largest Fish: 11.4 kg (25.13 lbs)
Average size: 8.2 kg (18.08 lbs)
Like much of the Gaula, we are expecting good things from the NFC water this season. The first fish was landed on Beat E2 and measure at 105cm, a wonderful way to get the fishing up and running. The lodge also recorded the first fish to be caught above Gaulfoss on the 3rd June, a pristine salmon from Beat B1 measuring 98cm.
Last Minute Availability
Week 24 (11 to 18 June): 1 rod available. £3,000 per person
Week 25 (18 to 25 June): 2 rods available. £3,390 per person
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
Current recorded catch for 2023: 222
Largest Fish: 17.5 kg (38.58 lbs)
Average size: 8.4 kg (18.52 lbs)
Like the Gaula, the Orkla test fishing in the fjords gave a very positive outlook especially the number of bigger salmon around. The opening days of the season there have been 6 of salmon over 30 lbs too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear through the season.
Our opening report from Gjaeret Lodge on the middle river came in yesterday;
The first party arrived at the lodge on Sunday night, with no catches reported for the first morning we are eagerly anticipating news of the first fish. The river in general has got off to a flying start with one of the best opening few days I can ever remember! Our middle river beats would naturally be a few day behind the lower beats, but all looks very encouraging for the season. Air and water temperatures have both been unusually cold, however, good weather finally arrived yesterday and set fair going forward now.
Everything looking extremely encouraging. Best fish for river so far 17.5kg. With many, many big fish in system, an average weight of 8.4 kgs for all fish landed!
The Lakselv
Current recorded catch for 2023: –
Largest Fish: –
Average size: –
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 set to open with its first group on the 18th June, and with the main spring flood through the system we are hopeful that the first groups at Oldero will experience some wonderful fishing.
Last Minute Availability
30 July to 6 August (Week 31) – 1 rod available prime time
The Namsen
Current recorded catch for 2023: 267
Largest Fish: 20 kg (44.09 lbs)
Average size: 7 kg (15.43 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 kicked off fantastically with many of the lower beats recorded some giant salmon. The opening days of the season there have been 4 fish over 40 lbs and 8 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.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.