Salmon season’s round up for 2002

The salmon season it just around the corner and it time to sit down and dig out the information about the up coming year. It must be said that its difficult to pin point the exact numbers of salmon in each river, each and every year but we can ascertain a very good prediction. By looking at past figures and speaking to biologists I have managed to discover what this year could be if all the factors fall into place. The following review is not a review of every single river her in Norway but a review of some of the best.

First salmon taken in northern Norway May-16-2002

Ill photo.

Finnmark

Our most northern county had a fantastic season last year with large numbers of big salmon caught in the eight major rivers, Neidenelva, Vestra Jakobselva, Tana, Børselva Lakselva, Stabburselva, Repparfjordelva and Alta.

Rivers that are worth a remembering are: Tana. Although It catch total was not any larger than the year before but it has been one of our most consistent rivers for many years. I have read reports of a fish the weighed over thirty kilos. This is some thing I cannot confirm but the fact that many fish over twenty kilos were caught over the entire season. Season starts 1st of June
Lakselva. The fishing was red hot last year and large numbers of fish were sighted in the breading pools. This indicates a good season next year. Again some monster fish were caught here including a sea-trout over five kilos. Season starts 15 June.
Stabburselva. The figures speek for them selves just under five hundred salmon were caught in the short season last year and the word is next year is looking good! Lets not forget 85-kilos of sea-trout were caught as well. This is a river you will find the fishbooking crew latter this year. Season starts 15 June.

Troms

One river stands out above all other in this district, Målselva. Yet the other river in Troms have faired well. Rivers such as Reisa and Laukhelle catchment have shown signs that maybe records will be broken this year.
Målselva is a fantastic river to fish but of late the word is that there may be a new monster fish farm close to the river. This may have a negative effect on this rivers future. We will keep a eye on this and keep every informed. Season starts 15 June.

Nordland

This district has had it problems in the past. With both parasites and lice to contend with despite this there are a few rivers here that have bounced back. One river is recommended by us is Beiarelva.
Beiarelva. After many years of hard work this river is showing signs of its former days. With an average weight of 3.9 kilos I would like to sink my teeth into this river.

Saltdalselva. Again another river that has been infected by parasites but it is claimed that the clean up work will show results in 2003. A good note is that this is a fantastic sea-trout river. In fact some one caught a fish over 9 kilo!!


North Tronderlag

North Tronerlag didn’t have the record-breaking season it experienced in the 2000 season but instead it went back to normal. One river in particular is looking good. Steinskjerelva has been treated for its parasites and with a little luck it is on its way back. With rivers such as Namsa, Bjøra, Verdalselva and Årgårdelva. It a district that can’t be missed.

Bjøra. This is one of the earliest rivers to open here in Norway, 15 May. We will fish the opening week and expect great results.

Namsa. This is one of Norway’s best known rivers and always delivers good results. This year should not be any different, fantastic. With an average weight of 7 kilos the chances of living a dream are good.

Verdalselva. After several fantastic years the local have complained about the so-called lack of fish. This is utter bull. Average weights were fantastic, 5.9 kilo for large salmon and added to this 663 small salmon were caught. What more could you ask for.

South Tronderlag.

The jewel in the crown of this district is Gaula it could be described as one of the world’s best rivers. There is no point in going in to detail about each of the rivers here because they have had increased figured in 2001. The word is 2002 will be a record year but only time will tell.

Gaula. For all the details on this river take a look at www.gaula.no. The average weight is a whopping 5.8-kilo and a total of no fewer than 12000 salmon were caught here.
Orkla. This is a very popular river. Last years record was 16 kilos and the local are optimistic of a better result this year.

More and Romsdal

The lake of snow over the prior winter and high salt content in the fjords led to a high number of sea lice. This will affect many of the rivers in the county. Only time will tell if these rivers are effect by the combination I have spoken about.

Driva. What a fantastic river! Seat-trout in the monster class are caught here every year and this year should prove to be productive. Many smolt are released here to help the natural process.

Bondalelva. Although the season is just six weeks it produced a total of 914 salmon. Unfortunally this river battles with farmed fish and lice. We can only hope this year is good.






Sogn and fjordane

Sea lice were a large problem last year over the entire county. We can expect a good small salmon season but due to the lice problem don’t hold your breath for the bigger fish to turn up. It must be said that this part of the world is best known for its sea-trout so if they talk about a bad salmon season. There is no reason not to take a one handed fly rod and have some fun
Gaula in Sunnfjord. Had a good year with a total of 382 salmon but it must be said that none of these fish were over ten kilos

Eidaelva. This is the pearl of this district with just under 800 salmon and 571 sea-trout it is a classic west country river. The season starts on the 1st of June

Hordaland

We live here in Hordaland and spend most of our time traveling out of this district. Hordaland was once the place to be but due to mismanagement and bad luck such rivers as Vossa are but shadows of their former selves. The only river worth a shot is Oselva.

Oselva. A magic little river just outside Bergen that produced over 500 salmon and 607 sea-trout. Well worth a fish this year.

Rogaland

It has been reported that the lice hammered the sea trout population but the believe the salmon smolt were far out to sea. This means that they will come back strong as normal.

Sundalsågen. With 180 salmon and over 500 sea-trout. This is regulated river that fishes well all season. The season starts 1st of July and must not be missed.


West- Agder

West Agder contains one of Norway’s success stories a river called Mandalselva. This river has raised form a catch of 200 kilo in the 1995 season up to today’s monster total of 10 ton. This is a positive sign. The people I have spoken to tell me that this year will be yet another great year!
Otra. Yet another success of the chalking program that is important in the south. This river took so many fish that every one is already talking about this year’s season. With over 3500 salmon caught last year everyone has high hopes for another great season.






Telemark

There is very little information about the one river that is in this county. Skienselva The good news is the newly completed salmon steps should set the ball rolling. I can safely say that figures will rise with every year.

Vestfold.

Vestfold has only one Salmon River and its opens early so don’t miss the chance to kick of your season in May.
Numedalslågen. Last year was the best season for many years and this year will prove to be productive. This river has produced constant results for some years. The figures speak for them selves, over 5000 salmon were caught last year alone.

Buskerud

Buskerud has only one river that is worth writing about, Drammen.
Drammenelva. Has always been an important river and much has been done to keep it in good form.For example there is a salmon counter in the salmon steps at Helle falls. A total of 2300 salmon were counted. The only down side is the reducing numbers of sea-trout. The people I have spoken to tell me this will continue this year.

Oslo/Akershus

There are two rivers in this county but one is effect by parasites so the only one worth reviewing is Akershus.
Arkerhus is clean and fresh but despite the good water quality there is still a lot of rubbish in the river. Many fish were spotted in the spawning grounds. So this year could be a record breaker.

Østfold.

It unfair to say that this country is our best or most productive but it has a few river and the best of these is Enningdalselva.
Enningdalselva. This river opens on the 15th of May and in the early season many good fish are caught. Unfortunally most of the sea-trout start their run after closing so few fish are caught.