Sportfish

Another great day – Ken and Mick added another two fish to the weeks tally. The icing on the cake today was a magnificent 14 kilo fish caught on Kroken pool by Matt Hayes. The fish was taken on a small double Munroe Killer very late in the evening. After an epic struggle the fish was eventually subdued, unhooked, photographed and returned to the river.

Matt Hayes' Magnificent 14Kg Salmon from the Gaula

So all in all we have had a great week here at Winsnes Fly Fishing Lodge. We have been really well looked after in every respect by Matt, his charming wife Anna Marit and her mother Annbjorg.

The final score was twelve salmon with a number hooked, played and lost. All the guests have had a great time and had contact with a fish. We will certainly be back next year – if you are interested in joining the group please let me know. You can contact me on +441189 303860 or email me allan@sportfish.co.uk

With the rods now settled into a daily fishing routine I took the opportunity to fish a ‘secret’ trout river with Matt. We are doing a bit of groundwork to allow Sportfish to develop a Trout/Grayling fishing trip in September in conjunction with Matt Hayes and the Winsnes Fly Fishing Lodge.

I have to say the river was an absolute stunner.

It flows through beautiful countryside and is tailor made for dry fly fishing. When we arrived a big Danica mayfly hatch was in progress and there were some absolute monsters on the prowl. Like big wild trout anywhere these fish were far from easy to tempt. I caught a lovely brownie – see Matt’s fabulous release shot below – and some smaller samples. Matt rose a real monster that fell off early in the fight.

Allan releasing a beautiful Brown trout underwater

If you would like to join us on the trip this September please drop me an email allan@sportfish.co.uk  and I will let you have details as they are finalised.  Matt will guide the trip.

The weather this week has been extraordinary, every day is really hot – more St Tropez than Norway! Not that this is a problem. The river has started to drop but today I saw as many running fish as any day so far.

I have noticed that the fish on the Gaula seem to take better if the water is steady rather than fluctuating wildly in height.

We have had to adjust to fishing mainly at night to get the best results however. As it never gets dark this is no great hardship and it is much more pleasant to fish away from the heat of the day.

Two fish caught so far today. Ken had a nice grilse in Bridge pool and Dominic a super 8kilo fish from Stadion pool.

Dominic with a lovely 8kg salmon

Joe and Ken were really on form today landing three superb fish. First to score was Joe with a magnificent cock fish from Kroken pool. Matt Hayes had come down to the river with us armed with his underwater camera determined to get an underwater release shot of a Gaula salmon.

Catch and release is now very much part of the scene here on the Gaula. The majority of the anglers on the river are fly fishermen and this can only help augment future stocks. The Sportfish group are certainly playing their part returning all fish caught so far. Joe very graciously waited until the light was good for photography before catching his 9 kilo fish!

Matt is a superb photographer – check out the release shot below.

A Fantastic 9kg Gaula Salmon about to be released

After landing such a magnificent fish yesterday the group are in really high spirits. Next on the score sheet was Ken, Joes fishing partner with a super 9k fish from Stadion Pool. The water has really warmed up now and the best place to find a taking fish seems to be right at the head of a pool.

Ken with his first Gaula salmon weighing 9kgs

Final fish of the day was taken by Mick in Kroken pool – a little smaller at 7k but tide fresh and full of fight.

Not wishing to be left behind Joe was soon weaving his magic with a fabulous 12k fish from the superb Saeter pool. This fish really fought its weight running over 100yds as soon as it felt the hooks, testing Joe’s tackle to the limit. This fish was really fresh and in peak condition.