As someone who has had great salmon fishing on their doorstep all their lives, I mean, Scotland has so much. Great rivers, history, culture, infrastructure, ghillies, the list goes on. Why, if I have all this on my doorstep, would I want to go somewhere else?
What is the interest in fishing other countries such as Norway?
The answer to this is the presence of big fish. Salmon in Norway tend to be that much bigger than we catch here in Scotland and if you have caught plenty fish up to 20 lbs but want to give yourself a fighting chance of catching one over 30 then, even now, Norway is the place to head for. Although they catch big Atlantic Salmon in Canada, Norway will provide the Salmon angler with many more chances of ticking this box. However, back in the late 19th Century, it wasn’t the chance of catching a 30 pounder that took British Anglers to Norway, no, the prize then was a 40, 50 or even 60 pounder. Difficult as it is now to imagine, but at this time 30 pounders were commonplace in UK, but for a serious chance of a big one, Norway was the place. Interestingly, although the average size has changed, Norway remains the best place to go to get grip of a special, once in a lifetime salmon.
As is the case here in Scotland, with the Tay, Tweed and Deveron being big fish rivers. In Norway, rivers such as the Alta and Namsen are renowned for catching big fish, but not just an odd big fish; even today at specific times of the year, rivers such as Alta will produce salmon with an average weight of 20lbs plus. Over the whole season this average size will diminish, however, if you are lucky enough to fish here in June and the first half of July, then you have a serious chance of a big 30-40lb salmon.
Rivers such as the Lakselva also have big salmon but not in such good numbers whilst rivers such as Namsen produce a decent run of Scottish sized salmon but with a decent number of big ones of between 16 and 21kgs. The biggest fish caught here in 2024 was over 21.5kgs, or in old money 47lbs.
Other rivers such as the Gaula, Orkla and Verdal are popular with anglers and produce a sizeable number of fish in the 6 – 8kgs range and an odd one over 30. The thing people must remember when going to target a big fish, is the time of year they go as from around mid/late July, most rivers have a run of grilse too and take the size of the average fish down.
Although sportfishing was popularised by British Gentlemen in the mid to late 19th century, Norway has a completely different salmon fishing culture to that of Scotland. For Local anglers catching salmon was all about food and feeding their family. Not until more recent years has a slightly different attitude toward conservation emerged. To the Norwegian angler, catching and keeping a fish is important, so worm fishing and spinning still feature strongly in many rivers. I find Norwegians better anglers than most based in the UK. Frankly, if feeding one’s family depended on catching salmon, then I’m sure we would learn to be better too and we would still favour fishing with a worm and spinner too. However, because those remaining salmon have so much more value being left alive to spawn, more Norwegians are coming round to the idea of conserving the genes of those wonderful big salmon. After all, in real terms, salmon have never been so valuable as they are today.
Whilst anglers and fishery managers in Iceland have seen the tourist value in Salmon for many years, apart from a few lodges, in Norway, it is still viewed as the fish of the people. Food for the general population. The problem with this thinking in 2024 is, it is not conducive with poorer runs of salmon but like I mentioned above, conservation and fishing for sport only is becoming more popular.
Specific beats on Rivers such as the Gaula, Orkla, Namsen and Alta provide the salmon angler with a realistic opportunity to catch that trophy salmon, as well as a fantastic Norwegian salmon fishing experience. The best of those have guides with skill sets and experience to bring customers in touch with their fish of a lifetime. However, as with everything else, you really do need to know where and when to go. Most rivers have a good 6 weeks where anglers have a decent chance of a big fresh salmon. My first 5 years of hosting trips in Norway saw at least one 30 pounder being caught by each group and 39 out of the 40 people joining me catching fish. This I can tell you was not luck; it was about fishing at the right time and the help of the right local guides.
Apart from a few, most fishing accommodations in Norway are rustic converted farmhouses built during a time before oil and wealth. They tend to be nothing like what we have in Scotland and are basic by nature. That said, they reflect the nature and of salmon fishing in Norway, making the best of long summer days and not so much time spent in the accommodation. Shared toilet or not, I really enjoy this experience of staying in those places.
Another thing you will find on every river in Norway are fishing huts built for Trolls! It's as if every fishing hut were designed for little people and for us normal folks to bang our head on. I’ve asked many times why they build fishing huts between 4’6 and 5 feet high? No one has ever given be a conclusive answer! But if someone could then I’m extremely interested.
For me, Norway, the right place at the right time, offers a magical salmon fishing experience, a serious chance of a big fish, is much better value than other salmon fishing countries and is somewhere well worth visiting before hanging up the boots for the last time.
Anyone looking for any more specific information please feel free to drop me a line. Or click here for more reading.
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