Otra, with a total length of about 245km, is Norway’s 8th longest river. The River follows Southern Norway’s main road North Rv 9 where it eventually flows out into the sea in the heart of Southern Norway’s capital, Kristiansand.
Along its course, Otra has a lot to offer, and it often changes from torrent white water to wider slower flowing areas, to small and large lakes.
Otra is an exciting river, with the lower 16km housing migratory Atlantic salmon, sea trout, as well as wild brown trout and European freshwater eel. In 2014, 6537 kg of fish were caught in the lower parts. 94% was wild Atlantic Salmon.
As we move upstream from where the migratory fish meet their artificial stop in Vennesla, the Otra takes form as multiple joined lakes and small rivers. Large quantities of wild brown trout, with a small average size, live here but in such a number, one is almost guaranteed a catch!
In June 2023, Otra Fishing Assoiation will launch a “smart Fishing license”, together with Fishby, to develop a sustainable future for angling tourism in the valley. With a Fishby fishing licese, you get access to the whole upper 180 kilometers of the Otra river system in Setesdallen Valley. From Hartevatn at Hovden in the north to Kilefjorden in the south. Note that the Fishby license does not include fishing after migratory species.
The most common trout here is the wild brown trout, but some wild American brook trout can be caught too. Common are average-sized fish of around 300g (3/4lb) but hidden amongst them are some leviathans reaching 8kg (17.5lbs). There is a unique salmon species living in Byglandsfjorden, called Bleka. The fish is often no larger than 250 grams, but its distinctiveness makes it a sought-after fish.
South of Fennefossen, in Evje, you can find perch, whereas, in the higher reaches of the river, you will find minnows.
The use of live fish as bait is strictly prohibited! A report to the police and the National Nature Inspectorate will follow. Important safety note; during rainy seasons, those that are fishing near dams and power stations, please beware of possible sudden rising water levels!
The upper Otra river system hosts two internationally unique species that can only be found here:
Its distinctive lines resembles the Salmo Marmorata, which is Native to Northern Italy and Slovenia, and some parts of Croatia. However, studies have shown that the fish is a hybrid between a common Broun Trout (Salmo Trutta), and American Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Specimens up to 500g have been caught in Evje municipality.
Byglandsbleka (also called “bleka”, from the Norwegian word for “pale”), is a dwarf salmon (Salmo Salar), that spends its entire life landlocked in the upper parts of the Otra River system.
When ocean levels rose after the last ice age, Atlantic salmon entered the lake, but as the climate changed, the Byglandsfjord became cut off from the sea. Now the adult bleka lives in the lake, which is at 33km2 and has a maximum depth of 167m.
The bleke formed a regular part of the diet for locals until two environmental threats nearly wiped the whole population out. First, a hydroelectric dam, built in 1905, made many of the spawning grounds inaccessible; then, from the 1950s onwards, acid rain from the industries of northern Europe wreaked further havoc. By the early 1970s, it was estimated that only around 200 breeding adults were left.
Today, 50 years after the population collapse, the continuous and ongoing rescue efforts have taken us a long way towards the goal to restore a self-reproducing and harvestable bleke population. If this goal is achieved, the bleke may regain its previous position as an important part of local culinary culture, with positive implications for recreation, tourism, and business development.
Fishing in the summer months is best!
France 🇫🇷
A beautiful river with many different spots to fish
Brown Trout
Grayling
Norway 🇳🇴
Norway's longest river
Brown Trout
Grayling
Pike
Norway 🇳🇴
Saltwater fly fishing paradise from your belly boat
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic Halibut
Atlantic Mackerel
Haddock
Pollack
Sweden 🇸🇪
Coastal fishing paradise in the Baltic Sea
Perch
Sea Trout
Denmark 🇩🇰
Rocky shores sea trout dream
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic Halibut
Atlantic Mackerel
Garfish
Pollack
Sea bass
Sea Trout
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
One of Wales' most iconic rivers
Atlantic Salmon
Barbel
Brown Trout
Chub
Grayling
Perch
Pike
Sea Trout
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Sixteen lakes from large to small, but rivers as well
Arctic Char
Atlantic Salmon
Brown Trout
Grayling
Perch
Pike
Roach
Sea Trout
Norway 🇳🇴
So much water and so much trout
Arctic Char
Brown Trout
Norway 🇳🇴
Large or small rivers, all full of salmon and sea trout
Atlantic Salmon
Brown Trout
Sea Trout
Norway 🇳🇴
World class saltwater fly fishing in breath taking surroundings
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic Halibut
Atlantic Mackerel
Garfish
Haddock
Pollack
Sea bass
Sea Trout
Iceland 🇮🇸
Atlantic salmon and breathtaking scenery
Atlantic Salmon
Sweden 🇸🇪
Fly fishers are drawn here for a chance to catch huge Baltic salmon
Atlantic Salmon
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