Suddenly the British weather feels like spring is in the air and the first salmon of the Scottish season are being banked – always an encouraging sign for other salmon fly fishing destinations like Norway. With just over three months until the Norwegian season opens, we are hugely excited to see the first anglers targeting some of the best big fish rivers in the world.
Alex Jardine will be returning to Winsnes Lodge on the Gaula this season with his regular hosted trip (spaces available). In this blog, we delve into five reasons why you should fish at Winsnes Lodge.
New Water in 2026:
One of the most exciting things for the upcoming season is the addition of new water, extending the lower boundary of the fishery to include an incredibly product pool called Håvåholen (The Hover Pool). The new pool, more than makes up for the loss of some fishing at the upper end of the fishery. For returning guests, this is a great opportunity to enjoy some fresh water whilst still enjoying the same fantastic lodge services.
Håvåholen is a fantastic holding pool, salmon make their way up the left bank to enter the main pool. The middle of the pool is deep and shaped by a large slab of bedrock on the left bank. This creates a wonderful lie to cover from the accessible right bank with fish often holding above and below the big rock. Above this the pool funnels into a tight neck which can produce fish in low water.
The pool, then continues upstream along a 250 metre long rapid and finishing at the big rock on the right bank in the pool Kjellfloa.
Anglers will continue to fish the regular lodge pools of; Kroken, Lillestrom-Roholen, Oksoy, and Kjellfloa.
Rest & Rotate:
At Winsnes Lodge, they pride themselves on a rest and rotate system whereby anglers are able to cover the full extent of the fishery knowing that they are consistently moving onto rested water. This has served the lodge and its catch results well.
For 2026, the six anglers will rotate in pairs across the five beats. This will mean that two beats will always be rested. As well as resting water, this offers rotation flexibility in extreme conditions whether high or low water. The daily rotation works in four-hour slots, with anglers beginning the fishing day at 0600. At 1000, you will move on to the next beat. Between 1400-1800 there is a designated rest period where anglers can have lunch and a siesta. Anglers with return to the water for two four hour sessions at 1800 until 0200. Another full fishery rest period will come into effect between 0200-0600 before the next day begins.
Guidance & Advice:
The team at Winsnes Lodge offer fantastic service on and off the water. All guests are made to feel welcome and part of the family. On the water, anglers are looked after by a proficient guide team with years of experience in the valley. For regular weeks, anglers will enjoy a “light guiding” service. This is similar to a ghillie in Scotland, you will be given an overview of the fishery with pool specific advice. Over the week, the guide will dip in and out, rotate between the group, and generally make sure that everyone is making the best of the conditions. For those struggling, the guides will often go above and beyond to help.
However, if you prefer more dedicated help, guides can be hired on an hourly or daily (8-hour) basis. For our hosted week, the group will enjoy a more formal 2:1 guiding setup.
Good Holding Water:
A key aspect of the fishing at Winsnes is that the pools offer terrific holding water. All of the pools are notable spawning areas for Gaula’s great run of salmon, and we often see the fish that run as far as the lodge, often stay there through to winter.
So, whilst the lodge enjoy fresh fish moving through the pools at most points in the season, anglers can be confident that they are covering fish at almost all times of the season. It also means that the big fish that typically enter the river in June, can be possible to hook in all weeks at the lodge including August.
The Lax Restaurant and Bar:
As with all fishing destinations, there are good and bad days on the water, so it is important that anglers have a nice place to retreat. The Lax Restaurant & Bar is the lodge’s main dining area. Furnished in a traditional Norwegian style, it offers a warm and cosy place for anglers to enjoy meals, a glass of wine or pint of beer. Anglers also have use of a comfortable fisherman’s lounge upstairs where fish stories can be traded or fresh plans can be hatched.
Take a look at our Norway availability in 2026 here.
For more information about Winsnes Lodge and salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
