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Isn't It Good - Norwegian Wood
Norway - the land of not just the midnight sun but
the forever sun. No rain for five weeks before we arrived and no rain for the
two weeks we were there had left the river very low. There were a few fish in a
very deep pool near the end of the beat but there were no salmon 'running'.
The Stjordal near Trondheim
where the river banks are covered in wild lupins
The first week of my stay
at Jan Daugaard’s fishing camp on the river Stjordal
near Trondheim saw one fish come to the
bank – to the rod of Ian Brothers. Why this fish chose to run when all
the others stayed in the estuary we will never know but
just one fish made the week. After seeing this 11lbs
of sea-lice covered perfection the other anglers in the
party fished with renewed vigour. The lucky angler (or
should that be expert?) packed in fishing at 11.30am
that morning and nursed a bottle of single malt for the
rest of the day!
The sum total
for the second week, as far as
the rest of us were concerned, was as follows: Vic Abbott
– one take, Colin Spicer – one lost, but did we have a
good time!
I can tell you that all the people who went
this year have already re-booked for next year. That
must say quite a lot about the place. I think the potential of
the fishing is very good if, like most salmon fishing, you can
get the water.
 
Jan Daugaard our host is
a charismatic and colourful Danish gentleman now living
in Sweden but spending his summer months at his fishing
camp.
The food is quite
fantastic since Jan is a master chef. You would be hard put
to find better food; it is at least five-star hotel
quality. Franco, one of the
party, has said that as far as he is concerned the
fishing is of secondary importance. He is going back
next year just for the food and drink!
The dining room at the
camp is an 18th century wooden barn with
silver candlesticks – absolutely magnificent. This
sounds like an advert but I’m trying to paint a
picture. The accommodation is basic. You get your
own room and there are two showers, two loos and two basins
shared between six anglers.
We started each day in
the kitchen with a hearty Scandinavian
breakfast – bacon, eggs, meat, fish,
cheese etc. We then made our lunch from bread-rolls,
meat, whatever we wanted and this was taken to the
river by the guides (there were three).
The
surroundings are magnificent with towering cliffs on
either side with eagles nesting and overlooking the
lodge. Bill Green, who is a very keen bird-watcher counted some
54 different species including Grey Cranes and Eagles
plus badgers, deer and elk.
 
 
At this time of the year
(June) you can, if you wish, fish 24/7 as it never gets
dark. The river is very fishable – about the size of the
Dee and generally shallow but quick beautiful fly water.
The fishing is about 1½ miles with six good stretches
i.e. pools. It is very clear and cold so the flies are generally quite big;
bigger than you would fish in the UK for the same water height
and temperature.
The camp itself is sometimes used as a
teaching school so you don’t even need to take your own gear. It
is all there - rods, reels, leaders, lines, flies in
profusion and expert advice from the guides. Although young,
these guys can teach you to cast in a morning (ask Bill
or Franco).
Jan has now returned to his home
in Sweden and
has contacted me. He says that this
year was very unusual because the fish started very late
in week 29 with five fishermen at the camp landing
fifteen salmon
and lots of sea-trout in five days. After that, guests caught fish
every week including many fish over 20lbs - especially in August. Jan says
the fish are normally less than 12lbs at this
time. All down to the very dry weather in June no doubt
but at least they came.
 
The two best fish caught this
year on the Stjordal weighed in at 38lb and 39lb with many
fish over 25lb. For next year Jan has done a deal
with the local fishing club so that any two of his guests
can fish their waters. This means that his water will be less pressurized
i.e. only four people fishing and two fishing the club
waters.
The two best fish caught this
year on the Stjordal weighed in at 38lb and 39lb with many
fish over 25lb. For next year Jan has done a deal
with the local fishing club so that any two of his guests
can fish their waters. This means that his water will be less pressurized
i.e. only four people fishing and two fishing the club
waters.
The season in Norway is
very short - June to the end of August. You should have this in
mind when looking at the total figures for Norwegian
rivers as opposed to rivers in Scotland where seasons
are generally 8-9 months long.
There are vacancies at
Jan's lodge for the 2009 season June/August. Fully
inclusive fishing, including accommodation and all food
along with the use of tackle or take your own is £1650 per week per person and the flight
from Stanstead to Trondheim is approximately £90 return.
Vic Abbott
mob:
07773
008960
email:
salmonexpert@yahoo.co.uk |
