Lakes and rivers, large or small, all are packed with wild trout. The wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) is the most plentiful of Norway’s freshwater fish and Southern Norway is no different. Here it inhabits most waterways but often shares its waters with other fish in the Salmonidae or salmon family. The American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and the common whitefish (Coregonas lavaretus) are the most common but, in the river Otra catchment area one can also catch the internationally unique Bleka and the Otra’s ‘marble trout’. The Bleka is a relic landlocked Atlantic salmon from the last ice age and the Otra’s ‘marble trout’ is a morphism of the indigenous brown trout which has unique markings common of the marble trout in the Balkans.
One of the things that will often surprise people is the amount of water in Norway. There is literally water in its different forms everywhere, whether it be a small or large lake, stream, or mighty river, and each is more than likely inhabited by the native wild brown trout. In Southern Norway it is certainly no different.
When you put the other Salmonidae in the mix, that makes a cocktail of wild fish which in most cases will take you to the most wonderous surroundings one could ever envisage. The average size of trout here in Southern Norway at least in Norwegian terms, relatively small. This is due to the rock type being such that it doesn’t bare chalk or lime that increases the water’s pH and creates an optimal environment for insect life. Though, there are always monster carnivorous trout lurking amongst the small but getting them to bite is a game of patience, good knowledge and at times, luck. Each year trout more than 4-6kg are caught but a fish of 1kg+ is considered a fine prize.
Trout can be at times finicky feeders but most of the time here it is just a matter of finding them and they’ll more than likely bite. They often rise to tasty morsels in the surface film but don’t forget just about 10% of their feeding is undertaken in the water’s surface. The rest is under the surface but if you particularly enjoy the action of fish taking in the surface, then a buoyant fly that breaks the water’s surface like a streaking caddis can lead to some explosive eruptions!
With Southern Norway’s proximity to mainland Europe, it’s vast wild nature with exceptionally little fishing pressure, extensive wild trout stocks, and varied waterway options, it is naturally a perfect place for the fly fisher.
The season varies very much from waterways close to the coast in comparison to the high laying lakes and streams in the mountains. In the mountains the season can start as late as late May/June and will then have an intensive season which ends as early as early September. As one moves closer to the lakes and rivers situated nearer the coast, that season increases. In comparison the season can last from late March/April all the way through to December or even early January.
These are the guides that can help you with this particular location:
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 🇳🇴
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
Italy 🇮🇹
Hundreds of mountain streams and lakes in the Italian Alps.
Brown Trout
Grayling
Rainbow Trout
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
The ultimate fly fishing dream.
Brown Trout
Grayling
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
No big trout in the Netherlands? Think again.
Brown Trout
European Flounder
Rainbow Trout
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
Fly fish in the largest harbour of Europe.
Sea bass
Sea Trout
Twaid shad
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
Big predator fish in the iconic Dutch landscape.
Perch
Pike
Pike-perch
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