|
Trout fishing |
|
|
In Lågendalen, the southern part of Norway
Place:
The famouse river “Lågen”, 5 kilometres long stretch, fishing
from both shores
Accommodation: Very charming log cabins. Sauna and showers. Kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer. Cabin located close to the river. Good maps of the river are provided.
Price per person: USD$ 675 (NOK 5.600,-)
Duration:
7 nights, 5 days of fishing
Catch:
The most common Norwegian inland trout is called ”Ørret” (Trout
trutta) in Norwegian and is the fish we are aiming to catch.
The trout in Lågendalen can weigh up to 4 kilograms.
The average weight is approximately 0.5 kilograms, but trout
weighing between one and two kilos are not uncommon.
Trout
have excellent stamina and will fight long and hard before it eventually
surrenders to the fisherman.
Flyfishing
According
to the locals, the season for flyfishing starts when ”the birch has
leaves like mouse ears”.
This old saying is surprisingly accurate.
The actual date will therfore vary from year to year – but
excellent fishing is pretty much certain from the middle of May.
The season lasts until the middle of September.
The very best time to fish for trout is when the water is not too
warm – ideally not much above 20 degrees C.
When the temperature is too high the oxygen level drops and the
trout becomes placid.
The best time to go trout fishing is therefore in June and August. Baitfishing
When
using rod and bait, fishing is much more stable through the season as the
lure and bait can be used in much deeper water where the water temperature
is more optimal.
The trout can be found in all depths.
To be able to find trout it is necessary to study the nature and
look for signs which may indicate where the trout are on that particular
day.
The trout reproduce late autumn from October / November.
The young eat planctonic
shellfish and insectslarvae.
As it grows older and bigger, its diet consists of nymphs and
upwinged flies (Ephemeroptera ordnen).
Some trout eat other fish and are often referred to as ”chasers”.
These are the fish that become the ’record fish’. Equipment
for flyfishing in forest lakes
The rod should not be too long as you need to carry it walking through woodland. A 9 feet rod is appropriate. The rod should be light enough to enable accurate control of a Buzzer (Chronomidae) size 20 hook. AFTM class 4-5 is a good choice. For most of the season, a floating line will be the best option.
The
presentation is very important.
A ’long-belly’ or a ’double tapered’ line are therefore
both good choices.
On windy days, a class 4 line may prove to be too light.
Today’s carbon-rods can easily cope with a line a class or two
above.
We therefore recommend that you take a class 6 or 7 as well, just
to be on the safe side.
The
reel is not important when fishing like this, but you should have at least
70 metres additional line.
Waders
are appropriate to wear, ideally of the ’breathing’ type.
Waders made of neopren
may prove too hot.
If using the ’belly-boat’ method, however, the neopren
waders may be the best option as it otherwise may become too cold.
A
knife is a must and a landing net is also essential – one with a leader
tippet of 0.10 milimeters is recommended.
A
flyfishing vest is very practical as it will accommodate all the necessary
fishing equipment for a day’s fishing.
Of leader material you should have reels with 0.10 - 0.12 - 0.14 -
0.16 - 0.18 - 0.20 - 0.23 milimeters.
Drying powder to the
dryflies is a useful aid.
You should have a sink leader for the nympf fishing.
Recommended
fly imitations are Buzzers (Chironomidae), Upwinged Flies (Ephemeroptera
ordenen), Stoneflies (Plecoptera ordenen), Caddies Flies(Trichoptera
ordenen), Dragon Flies (odonata ordenen) and Ants (hymenoptera ordenen).
Streamers imitating small fish are excellent for evening and night
fishing for the ”chasers”. How
do you fish for Trout
?
The trout will move around in the water depending on where it can find food. It is therefore a good idea to notice the wind direction, and to look for insects in the air and on the surface of the water. If you see the fish eating insects on the water then that is great, but this is not always going to be the case. For "blind" fishing, start in the end of the lake to which the wind is blowing. Insects will be blown towards this end, thus the fish will follow. Another good tip, is to start where the rivers joins or leaves the lake.
Once
you have caught that first trout, have a look at the contents of its
stomach.
What one trout eats, all the others eat too.
You
ought to start fishing early in the morning, have a break mid day and
continue fishing in the afternoon / evening.
The light Nordic summer nights also provide excellent fishing
opportunities.
This is often when the biggest fish are caught.
When you cast ’blind’, you should start with several short casts in a half circle around yourself. Pull the line in such a way that the flie moves naturally on the water. When you have completed the half circle, cast further so that you cover as much water as possible. Make sure you constantly watch the fly. As soon as you see the fish bite, strike. It is easy to do this too late, but almost impossible to do it too early. Once the fish is caught you should reel it in as fast as you dare depending on the thickness of the leader.
In
Norway, it is normal to keep the fish you catch as opposed to releasing
them.
The problem in Norway is not that there is not enough fish…rather
the opposite!
|
|
|
(All
prices are subject to change without further notice) |
|