Winsnes Lodge, River Gaula, Norway July 2024
Alex Jardine will be leading a hosted group to one of Norway’s most famous and productive salmon rivers, the River Gaula for a prime week in 2024. Based from the delightful family-run Winsnes Lodge, the group will have access to 4km of prime double bank fishing on the middle river.
Winsnes Lodge
The lodge founded in 1882 when the first British salmon fishers, known as the ‘Salmon Lords’ (Lakse Lorder) used the house as a base for their summer fly fishing adventures on the Gaula River. Travelling salmon fly fishers have now enjoyed over 130 years fishing and staying at the lodge. The lodge has 4km of private double bank fishing located above Gaulfossen.
The river sees strong runs of salmon averaging between 14-18lb with many fish exceeding 30lb and a few over 40lb. The river is full of character and when clear it carries a slight golden tinge. The surrounding scenery is one of thick evergreen forested slopes interspersed with small villages and farms.
The lodge is a traditional big family house and includes seven double occupancy rooms along with a self-contained family apartment in the form of a small house that dates back to the 1700s. The lodge offers fully catered accommodation and anglers receive light guiding. It is possible to arrange more formal guiding for those looking for more advice on the water. The fishing runs on a 16 hour rotation per day enforcing two fixed four hour rest periods on the river, one at night and one at lunchtime.
The Week
The group will be fishing week 27, this has for a long time been the week to fish at the lodge. A time when historically water levels stabilize at a comfortable fishing height and the early season big fish combine with strong runs of medium size salmon.
This season the lodge are reducing angling pressure to just six rods per week, in addition to the two house rods. this will mean that all the water has greater rest periods between fishing sessions and we have high hopes for greater results.
We will be running the week with more guide time than in the past, with two floating guides between the group who will operate during peak fishing hours. The host, Alex, will also be on hand to assist as a third guide throughout the week to maximise each angler’s experience of this wonderful destination.
All anglers on the week will also enjoy single occupancy rooms as standard.
Why Alex wants to visit this destination:
Alex has been travelling to the Gaula and Winsnes Lodge for nearly a decade and has fallen in love with the river and location. Spectacular fly water and beautiful salmon combine with a lovely lodge to make an all-round wonderful experience.
The main reasons for Alex to head to Winsnes Lodge in Week 27 is to see the river in its absolute prime, a time period that rarely becomes available. The good food and lovely setting just add to the whole experience.
Alex particularly loves the size and nature of the river in this part of the valley, and the fact that both banks are controlled by the lodge is a real bonus when it comes to Norwegian fishing. Each pool has its own characteristics and perfectly crafted for fishing a fly. Please note the wading can be tricky in parts.
The Gaula is also a venue where there is a genuine chance of catching a salmon of a lifetime, with a good head of fish over 20lb, and fish in excess of 30 and 40lb landed every season.
Trip Itinerary:
Sunday 30th June: Arrive in Norway (Trondheim) and drive to the Winsnes Lodge. Start fishing that evening.
Monday 1st to Saturday 6th July: Six full days fishing the Gaula River.
Sunday 7th July: Depart the lodge and Norway.
This is a great week for all salmon anglers looking for a genuine chance of a big Atlantic salmon.
See Alex’s article on salmon fishing on the Gaula in the winter issue of H2O Magazine UK.
For more information and an itinerary please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.