Fishing
for
In
In
and around the lake ”Storsjøen”, meaning the
Great Lake in Norwegian, we can offer you good fishing for Pike and Pearch
in pleasant woodland surroundings. The lake is located some 80 kilometers
north of the Capitol City of Oslo. Transport from Oslo to the fishingsite
can be made by train or arranged by us.
Alternative
1)
Price
per person USD$ 1,030 (NOK 8.600,-)
Alternative 2)
Price per person USD$ 685 (NOK 5.700,-)
Living in dobbleroom in Gjeddvasskoiene. These are smaller cabins and no
breakfast served.
Not included in the price is; Internal transport, food and beverage.
Fishing
for Pike
(Essox
lucious, Esocidae)
Ideal time; Ultimo April to ultimo October
This
fish is called ’Gjedde’ in Norwegian. In
Norway, the female pike can measure up to 150 centimeters and weigh 18
kilogrammes. However, the average
female pike weighs between 5 and 10 kilogrammes. The female pike is bigger than the male – the male rarely
weighing more than 2.5 kilogrammes.
The pike is a predator which lies almost stationary in the water waiting for its prey. It generally feeds on other fish, but also eats mice, rats, frogs and birds. When the prey is within reach, the pike quickly attacks and swallows its victim. Pike generally prefers to hunt in surroundings in which it can hide. It tends to stay loyal to its chosen hunting area. The largest pike can be found in shallow and nutritious lowland lakes.
The
Norwegian pike is strong and healthy as it lives in a clean, healthy
environment. Norwegian pike can
therefore be eaten without concern for pollution by heavy metals, as is
the case in other European countries.
When
the ice on the lakes melt in spring,
the pike will appear from the depths to reproduce in shallow water.
During this activity – which may last as long as a week – it
does not feed. The best time to
catch pike is when the reproduction act is complete as the pike becomes
extremely aggressive. This
excellent fishing period lasts until ice covers the lakes once again.
However, one week during this period is an exception; when the pike goes through a complete change of teeth. Exactly when this happens varies from lake to lake, but the pike is very hard to catch during this transition.
How
to fish for Pike, in a lake
In
principle, there are two methods of fishing for pike in a lake: from the
shore or from a boat. However,
there is also an in-between method called the belly-boat.
A belly-boat is a floating ring where the fisherman is seated in
the middle, strapped into a harness. This
is an extreme way of fishing. In
fact, it is almost impossible to imagine another way of fishing which
enables such close proximity to the fish. However,
it is important to ensure the encounter does not become too close – pike
have a powerful bite!
The
belly-boat counts as a boat and it is therefore necessary to obtain a boat
fishing permit for the relevant lake.
Equipment
I
recommend the same equipment for both fishing from the shore and fishing
from a boat: a standard spinning rod. A
relatively heavy 9-10 feet rod, suitable for
throwing weights between 15 and 50 grams. An
open faced reel or a multiplicator reel
with at least 0.40 milimeter monofilament line.
(Multifilament will
quickly get worn on rocks etc.)
A steal leader at least 20 centimeter long is also necessary so that the pike’s teeth don’t bite straight through the line. A large solid landing net is a must. A knife is also essential.
Lures, spinners, jigs, bait and wobblers can all be used - jigs, bait and wobblers being the most common. The advantage with these is that they do not get caught as easily as for example a lure.
Below
are the three most popular wobblers. These
will float whilst lying still in the water.
There are several colour combinations; ZALT Wobbler
- ABU Hi-Lo
- Rappala Wobbler
Dead
roach (Rutilus rutilus) or perch (Perca fluviatilis) are often used as
bait. You attach the dead
fish to one or several hooks and use it as throwing weight.
(You are not allowed to use live bait in Norway).
Belly-boat
fishing with standard casting rod requires the same equipment plus a set
of waders. We recommend neopren-waders
as other types will be too cold.
A lifejacket and fins are also appropriate, as is a small anchor in
case it is windy.
Recommended
flyfishing equipment when fishing from a boat, belly-boat or land:
A
relatively strong single hand rod AFTM-class 7-9.
Floating line is ideal. Shooting head or a weight forward line.
For this kind of fishing it is not the perfect presentation that is
the most important – it is more important that you manage to cast quite
far (approximately 20 meters should be enough) and that you are able to
cast when it is windy. The latter
applies to belly-boat fishing especially.
The
leader should be heavy with a tippet of approximately 0.35 milimeters.
Again, a steal leader is necessary so the pike’s teeth don’t
bite straight through. It is
possible to obtain specific leaders for this purpose.
Of flyimitations, Streamers, Muddler Minnow variations, Zonker
flies and other specially made flies (i.e. flies that look like mice) are
used.
Flies
especially made for pike fishing can also be obtained.
How
do you fish for pike?
As
always when you go fishing, you have to think about the normal behaviour
of the fish. Pike is a predator
which eats whatever is nutritious in close proximity.
Normally you will fish where the pike has good access to food.
Hence, it is important that you seek out the places the pike is
likely to be. Pike do not swim
around searching for food like other fish.
Picture to the right: Pike catch weighing 13,6 kilogrammes!
You can start relatively early in the morning looking for the places where the pike is; probably in places like along reededges, where the water is shallow or by overhanging trees. Throw your bait (i.e.fly, wobbler) towards the reededge. Let it lie for a while before winding and pulling the bait back towards you. You will spot the pike before it bites the bait as you will see the wave approach. If you’ve got your bait in motion, continue the same movements. Pike do not come out easily. Some are of the opinion that you should wait to strike until the pike has caught its ’prey’ and settled again. However, there are many points of views about this. I try to wait with the strike until I have counted to three, but it can be difficult to be that patient. However, it usually ends well. You should play the fish so that it does not get stuck in the vegetation. When you have got it to shore, make sure you mind its mouth. Pike can bite hard and have sharp teeth.
When
you have caught such a wonderful fish, you should eat it as quickly as
possible. A nice, easy way to prepare pike is to wrap it in a wet newspaper
and put it on the open fire. When
the newspaper has burnt away the pike is done!
Bon Apetit…!
Freshwater
fishing for Perch
(Perca
Fluviatillis)
Ideal time; ultimo April to ultimo October
This fish is called Abbor, Sjebbe or Tryte in Norwegian. Perch is one of the most common and hardy species in Norway. It is found everywhere, from the nutritious lowland lakes to mountain lakes 1,000 meters above sea. Young fish swim in shoals, whilst older, bigger fish become more solitary. It gathers around formations at the lake bottom, i.e. sunken timber, roots etc. where it can find places to hide.
In
the early part of its life, the perch eats plankton.
When it reaches 11-12 centimeters it also starts eating insectlarvae,
shell fish and smaller fish. When
it reaches 15-20 centimeters its main food source is smaller fish.
The perch is mainly a stationary fish. Reproduction takes place in shallow water during spring when the water temperature is 7-8 degrees C. The female can weigh more than two kilos, while the male rarely weighs more than half a kilo.
There
are two efficient fishing methods:
1) Baitfishing -
2)
Lure / jig fishing
1.
Baitfishing
For
this method it is best to use a long rod with a relatively slow action.
The rod can be 10 feet. It
is important that the tip is sensitive and will react when the fish swims
around the bait. When choosing a
reel, an open faced reel is preferrable as the bait is light in weight.
One should use a multifilamt line,
as it is non
stretchable and has a very high breakingpoint. However, it may be
an advantage to use a monofilament leader
as it is more hardwearing and will operate as a shock absorber.
A landing net is a must, as is a knife.
When it comes to bait there is a universe of options.
A flyfisherman may very well feel he has limited options compared
to an angler. Some of the homemade
baits are made of the most incredible ingredients.
The only thing one can say for sure is that it is a great advantage
to put in some ground bait one day in advance.
Many choose to use an electronic bite indicator.
However, this is not a necessity.
2.
Lures / jig fishing
For
this method it is best to use a short, quick rod; as short as 5 feet.
A short rod makes it easier to give the lure / jig a quick and
aggressive looking movement, something the perch seems
to prefer. The open faced reel is again the best choice due to the light bait.
The multifilament
line
provides good, sensitive contact with the lure / jig and makes it
easier to control. The multifilament
line should have a leader of monofilament which again, will operate
as a shock absorber.
When
choosing a lure / spinner it is often the smaller ones with dark, golden colours that give
best results. When choosing jigs,
variations of the traditional MisterTwister and VibroTail; a hook with
leadhead and rubber tail, also seem to produce good results. White and yellow bodies with a sharp colour contrast on the head
usually gives the best results. It
seems that the perch prefers
fluorescent colours on the head, sometimes with eyes.
The weight of the heads should be 7 to 12 grams.
How
do you fish for Perch
?
As
always when fishing the questions are: What
does the fish eat and where is it? The
perch we are looking for eats fish. The
perch also eats insects etc., but this fish is
small and of no interest to the fisherman.
For the angler, however, things are different. He can tempt the larger perch with ground bait. This should happen the day, or preferrably, several days prior to the fishing itself.
During the reproduction period, one should attempt to catch the fish along the beach. However, during summer and autumn the perch will seek out and find independent shallow water. The perch will then be found straight underneath the shoal, even if it is 20 meters to the bottom.
To
fish from a boat in motion is also very efficient.
The lure / jig is in the water the whole time.
It is important that the boat doesn’t move too fast, 1-2 knot is
ideal. Once you’ve got the
perch on the hook you’ll
experience an excellent fight with a fish which is a master in trying to
get away.
When eventually landing the
perch, a landing net is essential, especially if fishing from boat.
If
you would like to experience this exciting fishing experience with us in
clean, Norwegian nature – please contact us!
Do you have further questions? Click here!