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, the first half of 2019 has been much more inline with where they should be. Summer has now taken grip of Norway and we are now seeing rivers drop and air temperatures rise into the mid and late 20s.
The Gaula
2019 Total River catch to date: 2,427
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 1,163
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 1,260
Largest Fish: 21 kg (46.3 lbs)
Average size: 6.58 kg (14.5 lbs)
Winsnes Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 73
Current catch in June: 24
Current catch in July: 49
Largest Fish: 15.9 kg (35 lbs)
Average size: 7.39 kg (16.29 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.
Since early July we have seen the water continue to drop and and warm up slightly despite the damp and cold conditions in around the valley this season. The weather has since continued to warm up and stay dry with just a couple of small pulses of fresh water. Anglers have been enjoying action with the better fishing now in the faster necks of the pool. Last week the biggest fish was a shade over 30 lbs and taken from the home pool Kroken.
Last chance availability:
28 July – 4 August (week 31 – 3 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 – 4 rods): £1,800 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
18 – 25 August (week 34 – 4 rods): £1,800 per person (good numbers of fish in the Winsnes beats)
Norwegian Fly Fisher’s Club
2019 Total catch to date: 112
Current catch in June: 62
Current catch in July: 50
Largest Fish: 17.1 kg (37.7 lbs)
Average size: 7.1 kg (15.65 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.
With the river still dropping throughout the past week we have seen the fishing remain slow but beats both above and below Gaulfossen are still producing fresh salmon. Forecasts are for hot and dry conditions for the next few days but if this produces heavy thunderstorms anglers should see fishing pick up.
Last chance availability:
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: 1,732
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 969
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 952
Largest Fish: 19.4 kg (42.8 lbs)
Average size: 6.31 kg (13.91 lbs)
Aunan Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 53
Current catch in June: 35
Current catch in July: 27
Largest Fish: 14.3 kg (31.5 lbs)
Average size: 7.67 kg (16.91 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: 209
Current recorded catch for June 2019: 59
Current recorded catch for July 2019: 150
Largest Fish: 18.7 kg (41.23 lbs)
Average size: 9.42 kg (20.77 lbs)
Oldero Lodge
2019 Total catch to date: 18
Current catch in June: 6
Current catch in July: 12
Largest Fish: 16 kg (35.27 lbs)
Average size: 9.64 kg (21.25 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.
Bright sun and low water has made for some tough conditions for the anglers the past week, but we have noticed a run of big fish enter the river. Last week alone saw 10 fish over 30 lbs landed on the whole river.
This season’s 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.