Norway

Laerdal – The Queen of Norwegian Salmon Rivers

Ray Brooks invented the Sunray Shadow Fly on this very river – and you can understand why it was so successfull.

Laerdal is a relatively short river. It flows clear and fast. A large, black-winged fly swinging quickly through the upper water column can prove irresistable to these big fresh run salmon as they move slowly upstream. Storlaks (7kg and over) start entering the river in May and continue through all of June and sometimes into early July. June fishing can be spectacular, if conditions are favourable. The average size is typically 10-12kg. These big salmon are very aggressive and responsive to a well presented fly.

Medium and small laks follow thereafter and continue into early August. although the grilse tend to be few in numbers. Large Seatrout start entering the river in July and can average 3-5kg. Great sport on a single hand or switch rod.

I have access to a number of beats on the Laerdal River, however, there are regulations and restrictions currently in place allowing fly-fishing for Seatrout only. The river board are hopefull these restrictions will be relaxed in the near future, allowing salmon fishing to resume and the river returning to full season timeframes.

Check out more videos here : http://www.youtube.com/@Storlaksfishing