Salmon fishing

In Numedalslågen – the southern part of Norway

Ideal time of the year: Ultimo July to ultimo September.

Type of fish: Salmon salar

5 days fishing, approximately $ 900,-

You will be accommodated in a very charming old loghouse, located by the river. The house is equipped with refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, shower, sauna, drying-room for equipment etc. We provide good maps of the 10 kilometers river you can fish in.

Information about the salmon.

Salmon are born in rivers and eat the same as trout for two to five years. They then migrate out to sea where they grow very fast. Whilst living in the sea their diet consists of shellfish, smaller fish etc. After one to five years, salmon return to their birth lake to breed. How they find their way back is one of nature’s big mysteries, and there are several theories about this phenomenon. One of the most recognised theories is that every salmon has a specific ability to smell their way back to the lake or river they were born in.

Whilst the salmon return, they do not feed but live of their own fat reserve. It is a strenuous journey as they may need to swim through currents and waterfalls, and a 30% weight reduction is not uncommon.

Salmon in the Numedalslågen have a way of living which differs from salmon in other Norwegian lakes. The Numedalslågen Salmon is late in returning to the river, so the best fishing takes place in July and August. Even September can be a good month for salmon fishing here. The Lågen salmon does not appear to be as sensitive to warm water temperatures as other Norwegian salmon.  Salmon weighing more than 20 kilograms are rare in the Numedalslågen; the average salmon will weigh between 5 and 7 kilograms.

Salmon in the Numedalslågen seem to prefer small flies, preferably hook size 6-8. The optimal water temperature is between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius. The water level is crucial when fishing for salmon; between 70 and 100 m3/s is best but a water level as low as 30 m3/s and as high as 140 m3/s can also offer excellent fishing.

Flyfishing equipment

The Numedalslågen can offer a fight with strong salmon in a river with powerful currents. This means that the fisherman should use a two-handed rod with at least 14 feett AFTM class 9-12. The most common rod used in Lågen is 15 feett, AFTM class 10 to 11. For most of the season it is better to use floating line. I recommend that you use a shootinghead as it allows you to cast further using less power. Using a shootinghead also enables you to spray-cast into tighter casting situations. An intermediate line can also be used, especially in the places where the fly easily ’stripes’. The reel should have at least 200 metres of backing with a breaking strain of 30 pounds or more. The reel needs to have a waterproof brake. There are actually several reels that do not have this – especially American reels made for flyfishing from a boat.

Waders are essential, and from personal experience I recommend the breathing type. As this is a river with currents and waterfalls I also strongly recommend that you use some form of lifejacket. A vading staff can also be useful. Personally I like to hand-tail the fish, but in some places it may be useful to use a landing net or a gaff. The leader should have a point of at least 0.35 milimeters. I make my own leaders in three sizes: 0.50 - 0.40 - 0.35 milimeters. The leader should be at least 5 metres in length.

Fishing usually takes place whilst wading, so a cap and polarised glasses are recommended as you move down the river. This will also protect your eyes from salmon flies, which may appear with great speed and can be quite painful. To recommend a specific fly for Numedalslågen would be a bit arrogant and slightly irrelevant as salmon do not feed. When the salmon bite the fly it is due to aggression and force of habit. There are as many theories as to the best flies to use as there are fishermen, but as a general rule the size of the fly should be smaller when the water is warm and larger when the water is colder. Blue flies seem to work well in clear water whilst orange flies seem to work well in muddy water. Some fly patterns that can be recommended are: Green Highlander, Thunder & Lightning, Garry Dog, Black Doctor, Blue Charme, Dusty Miller and General Practitioner. However, it is more important to take several different sizes of fly rather than focusing too much on the various patterns.

How to catch salmon

It is best to start early in the morning at the top of a pool or current and then work your way down the river. A genearl rule is to cast once and then take two to three steps down the river before the next cast so you cover most of the river. Cast more or less across the river and let your line float down stream. When the line is lying straight in front of you it may be a good idea to pull the line a little before the next cast. When you see the salmon approach the fly it is important to stay calm as you should not strike before you feel resistance from the salmon. The salmon will catch the fly by gliding upwards, sucking the fly into its mouth and then return. It is when the salmon is on its return that the fisherman will feel resistance, so when the fisherman pulls the line the fly will get caught behind the jawbone. Once the fish is on the hook, a half hour fight will follow. During the fight it is important to try to keep the fish below yourself so you have best possible contact with the fish. When the salmon approaches the riverbank it often seems to get new strength and it is therefore important not to get to eager to land it the first couple of times this happens. Only when the salmon is lying on its side without moving it is worth attempting to land it. A woollen mitten is ideal for this purpose. Grab the salmon around the tail with your hand pointing towards the tail, and pull it out of the water.

Bait/lure fishing equipment

You need a heavy 10 to 11 feet rod designed for class 20 to 60 grams casting weight. Use an open faced or multiplicator reel with a good break. It is also important to use at least 200 metres of 0.45 milimeter line. The same safety rules apply for the bait/lure fishing when it comes to wading equipment. Lure fishing is similar to flyfishing, but takes place in different parts of the river. 

In the Numedalslågen copper coloured spoon lures are often used, but dark lures with strong colour contrasts also work well.

The bait fisherman can also use a ledger which lies stationary on the riverbed, and is cast where he believes a salmon might be, i.e. behind a rock.

We welcome you to Norway…

(All prices are subject to change without further notice)
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