Theo & Norway & Atlantic Salmon
Our friend, Theo Baekelaar, has sent along slides from his recent salmon fishing trip to Norway. This year, the Mandalselva River, where they were fishing, was low, and the fish had not moved into the holding areas in the numbers that are usually found this time of year. None-the-less, his group did find a few willing fish, and everyone greatly enjoyed the beauty of the river and the majesty of the surrounding lands. There are small cabins along the different beats where one can take a break from long casts and long summer days on the water. The cabins are outfitted with salmon tables and benches, a pleasant touch that keeps even the tired angler “up” for more casting and swinging.
Though the day starts early, one of the great rewards of fishing for Atlantic Salmon is the great beauty the country through which the rivers flow.
The Mandalselva River is a medium large stream where long casts and long swings with the fly are common.
All anglers are required to disinfect their gear before beginning the fish. This is help prevent the introduction of invasive species.
When fishing with the river flowing from right to left it is necessary to use a Double Spey, Snake Roll, or other change-of-direction tactic to reposition the line for the Forward Spey delivery. Here, Theo is swinging the rod through the first part of the Double Spey.
The Forward Spey is built on the “D” Loop, which Theo executes perfectly.
The flies are typically built on tubes because they offer the least weight for their size, making long casts easier.
Atlantic Salmon can be strangely picky in fly selection, taking a blue fly one day, but opting for a green, brown, black, red, orange, purple….the next day; thus, the salmon fisher has a bit of guess-and-by-gosh work cut ot for him each day.8. Of course, the best pool on the entire river has electric lines running directly over it, adding a bit of excitement to the casting.
Brown trout (Salmo trutta) and the Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) are very closely related species, and one often finds big browns in the salmon rivers.
Of course, the best pool on the entire river has electric lines running directly over it, adding a bit of excitement to the casting.
Each river beat is clearly marked, and the anglers fish downstream, each far enough away from the next so that lines do not tangle on the cast or swing.
Other signs like this one (which probably says, “Good Luck, you’ll need it”) are posted in clearly seen places in the trees.
Of course, everyone told Theo and his group, “You should have been here last week.” The week before the anglers caught enough fish that they could take a few to have smoked for the holidays.
After several fishless days, the anglers entered into the Atlantic Salmon Olympics. Here one of Theo’s friends tries for a new world record in the Spey Javelin toss.
Perhaps it’s time for everyone to retire to the streamside cabins and reconsider this year’s activities.
But then a nice Atlantic comes to the fly and the entire group is energized for the remainder of the trip.