Expert tips: Fly-fishing in the Vedals Lakes, Norway

The lakes and rivers around Hemsedal in the mountainous region of Eastern Norway are known as “The Kingdom of the Wild Trout”.

Within easy striking distance of my hometown there are a multitude of lakes that contain quality stocks of wild brown trout. There are plenty of locations to choose from, ranging from open highlands to small woodland lakes, and a fishing trip can often be combined with hiking or cycling for the whole family.

Getting ready

The approach that I find most successful on these lakes is the Irish wet fly technique, which requires a windy day and very bushy flies to work well. The flies that we use most often are Claret bumble, Golden olive bumble, Bibio, hoppers, caddis and all the best known British varieties of wet flies.

Many of the lakes are suitable for bank fishing, but personally, I prefer fishing from a boat. I use this tactic successfully in all of the local lakes where my clients and I often land fish between 1-2 kg (2-4 lb).

Catching the big one

Last summer, I did some test fishing with my friend and fellow guide Trond Andersson at Vedalsvatna, on six lakes in the open highlands. The fishing was good, but the smaller lakes were proving difficult that day, which was calm and sunny. We behaved like gentlemen and took it in turn to start fishing from the bank catching some nice fish around 0.5 kg (1lb). Then we arrived at a lake where there could be some larger fish. There were lots of Vespertina, small mayflies, hatching, but we only saw one fish rise. I thought quickly that this might be the chance of the day, so, unable to contain myself I ran off without asking Andersson first.

When I arrived at the spot I chose not to change my fly and decided to continue using the bibio which had proved successful earlier. The trout was swimming in circles, rising frequently, and I could see that it was a fine fish. I lay the fly gently on the water and it began to swim in the right direction. The water was so clear that I could see every detail on the fish as it approached my fly. The fish was now getting closer, little aware of the danger, and it was amazing to see it choose my large bibio instead of all the small mayflies that lay in its way. Trond managed to reach me just before I landed that fish. You can see the result in the pictures below - a beautiful mountain trout weighing 1.5 kg (3 lb).

Tor Grøthe lives and farms in Hemsedal. He has fly-fished since he was a boy, is active in competition fishing and became Nordic champion in 1993. He has represented Norway in the Fly-Fishing World Cup six times and runs a guiding and accommodation service from his farm. Tor Grøthe can be contacted at tor@hemsila.no

For more information about fly fishing in the Hemsedal area visit hemsila.no.