The 2023 Norway salmon fishing season once again brings much excitement and hopefully the chance of a few big salmon.
View Fishing Report from 22nd August 2023 here.
View July 2023 Fishing Reports here.
View Fishing Report from 27th June 2023 here.
View Fishing Report from 20th June 2023 here.
View Fishing Report from 13th June 2023 here.
View Fishing Report from 6th June 2023 here.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
Norway Salmon Fishing Report – 22nd August 2023
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 now entering the final days of August with mixed fishing this year, water levels have tended to be at the lower end of the average until late summer rains brought big water for the final weeks. The runs started well but the peak run has generally been down this year in the Trondheim area in particular.
The Gaula
Total catch in 2022: 6,424
Current recorded catch for 2023: 3,629
Largest Fish: 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Average size: 5.7 kg (12.57 lbs)
August has experienced two of the biggest summer floods in recent times on the Gaula, with the latest peaking in the early hours of this morning at 1,283 m3/s at Gaulfossen – this is 13 times greater than the average for this time of year. There is still more rain around until the end of the season but we hope that all anglers will have a chance to get one or two more fish in the closing days as it is historically a very prolific period. This season so far there have been 3 fish over 40 lbs and 41 of salmon over 30 lbs too. It has also been a very good season for sea trout with 14 fish recorded over 10 lbs. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear in the final days of the season.
Winsnes Lodge
Total Catch in 2022: 154
Total catch in 2023: 93
Largest Fish: 14.3 kg (31.53 lbs)
Average size: 6.5 kg (14.33 lbs)
As with the whole system, August has been a tough time on the Winsnes beats with repeated big floods but that has not stopped anglers catching with several good fish being landed including two over 20 lbs. The August catches also included a first Atlantic salmon for US Ambassador Marc B. Nathanson from the Old Bridge Pool during one of the drops in high water.
We are now taking bookings for the 2024 season, so do get in contact to secure your preferred dates.
Norwegian Flyfisher’s Club
Total Catch in 2022: 340
Total Catch in 2023: 201
Largest Fish: 14 kg (30.86 lbs)
Average size: 6.29 kg (13.87 lbs)
Like the whole river, Norwegian Flyfishers Club has had tough high water conditions but anglers still had some great encounters with fish up to and over 20 lbs. Several fish have been taken from the smaller tributary Bua as the water has tended to fine down quicker. As well as the salmon there were also some lovely sea trout landed between 3 and 14 lbs.
The Orkla
Total catch in 2022: 6,318
Current recorded catch for 2023: 3,296
Largest Fish: 18.8 kg (41.45 lbs)
Average size: 5.3 kg (11.69 lbs)
The Orkla tends to experience very similar conditions to the Gaula, with some slow periods seen in late June and July, the fish are getting more agitated as we move into the latter parts of the season. Conditions have been tough with two big floods in the last two weeks, both tipping into the 1-in-5 year flood. So far this season there has been one salmon over 40 lbs and 25 over 30 lbs too. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear in the final days the season.
The Lakselv
Total catch in 2022: 936
Current recorded catch for 2023: 205 (Most catches recorded at the end of the season)
Largest Fish: 23 kg (50.71 lbs)
Average size: 5.8 kg (12.79 lbs)
Oldero Lodge
Total Catch in 2022: 112
Total Catch in 2023: 122 (Catches recorded in full at the end of the season)
Largest Fish: 22.67 kg (50 lbs)
Average size: 5.45 kg (12.02 lbs)
Fishing conditions have been fantastic through August on the Lakselv and runs of fresh salmon are still appearing on every high tide. Oldero Lodge is having one of its best seasons in recent years and we are expecting an exciting finish with the chance of a big salmon a real possibility in all weeks.
So far this season on the Lakselv there has been two salmon over 50 lbs (one from Oldero), three salmon over 40 lbs (one from Oldero), and nine over 30 lbs (five from Oldero) too. There have also been a number of big fish lost at Oldero over the last few weeks after long battles. We hope that these big salmon continue to appear in the final days of the season.
The Namsen
Total catch in 2022: 5,193
Current recorded catch for 2023: 3,004
Largest Fish: 20 kg (44.09 lbs)
Average size: 3.8 kg (8.38 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 had a fantastic start with much of the river recording some wonderful salmon, the last few weeks has seen predominantly grilse making an appearance interspersed with some big salmon. So far this season there have been 8 fish over 40 lbs and 28 of salmon over 30 lbs too, four 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: 252
Largest Fish: 19.33 kg (42.62 lbs)
Average size: to be recorded at end of season
The fishing at Namsentunet has had its best season in recent years and is enjoying a mix of medium and large salmon across its beats. Those who are fly fishing are finding success with a mix of floating and sinking lines, up to Sink 8 in some pools. Anglers who want to add to the excitement have been enjoying fantastic action on riffling hitch tubes with plenty of takes but mixed results on landing salmon.
For more information about salmon fishing in Norway please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.