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NEED TO KNOW –
GOING TO NORWAY SALMON FISHING
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PRE-TRIP INFORMATION AND KIT LIST
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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
You will receive your travelling tickets (flights/ferry) from your tour operator and itinerary will be sent approximately four weeks prior to departure or by return of post if booking takes place within four weeks of the start of fishing. It is essential to photocopy all-important documentation, particularly tickets and passport, to prevent serious complications should you lose the originals.
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THE DISINFECTION OF TACKLE
All fishing tackle and equipment to be used in Norwegian rivers must be disinfected prior to starting fishing. This can be done by your local vet or at your destination in Norway. The disinfection must include waders, jackets, fly boxes, lines, reels, rods and wading sticks. You do not need to produce a certificate at customs on entry to Norway but you must show a valid, signed certificate of disinfection to your fishing host. You should also put an effort into disinfecting the same equipment before leaving Norway.
Tackle and equipment should be disinfected using a 2% formaldehyde solution or Vircon; this is less of a hazard to health and more pleasant to use. Your local vet should be able to assist with this.
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LUGGAGE
Normally there is a strict 20 kilograms baggage allowance for most economy class flights from most EU contries to Norway. Please be advised that any excess baggage charges are your own responsibility. Rod tubes are essential to ensure safe carriage of your rods in the aircraft hold. The majority of airlines will not allow reels, lines and flies to be taken as hand luggage. Please ensure that all cases and tubes are properly locked or taped and are marked with your name and destination.
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ARRIVAL IN NORWAY
Dependent on your travel arrangements, you may have a direct flight to one of the regional airports in Norway or be travelling via Oslo or Copenhagen. You will normally be met at the airport and taken to your final fishing destination unless you are driving a hire car. Maps and directions from the airport to the destination will be provided and sent you prior to your journey.
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THE CLIMATE
The climate in Norway during the summer months can be a mixture. It can be warm with clear blue skies or quite chilly with fog and rain. The Arctic Circle ‘cuts’ Norway half way up to the North Cape and the weather can change within a matter of hours. The median temperature in Trondheim (Central Norway region) for June is 11.4º C, July 17.6º C and August 14.2º C. In Tromsø (Arctic region) the median temperature for the same months is 8.5º, 14.6º and 12.0º Celsius. You should be prepared for all weathers. We have had complaints from visitors that they were not prepared for hot weather. Please note that the clear air intensifies sunny days.
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HEALTH AND MEDICATION
There are no required inoculations for travel to Norway, though you are advised to check with your doctor prior to departure regarding any vaccinations that may be recommended. If you are taking prescription medicines please ensure that you bring enough for the duration of your stay. Please be aware of anything with regards to the birds-flu situation.
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DRINKS AND DUTY FREE
Soft drinks, beer and wine are available or provided at the destinations (except in self-catering lodges). Bills must be settled by the end of the week. Wines and spirits are quite expensive in Norway and it is worth picking up some duty free en route. Duty free goods can now be bought on arrival at most Norwegian International airports.
PHOTOGRAPHY
We suggest a small camera and/or video camera for those keen to record their holiday catches or memorable events. If you use non-digital equipment, please remember to bring an adequate supply of film and spare batteries; a polarising lens may also be helpful. For keen bird and wildlife watchers a pair of small binoculars is essential.
CASH AND CURRENCY
The local currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK); there are approximately 11.50 – 11.75 NOK to £1 (GBP), 7,95 – 8,05 NOK to 1 Euro and 6,50 – 7,75 to 1 US$. You can obtain Norwegian cash at most EU airports and Norwegian airports as well as at banks. Most shops, garages and other establishments accept Visa and MasterCard, which are the two credit cards most widely used in Norway. You can also draw cash from banks’ cash machines. Euro, GBP and US dollars are rarely used in Norway. Unused Krone (NOK) can be converted back into foreign currency, subject to availability, at a bank or airport. The fishing lodges normally accept only NOK cash.
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GRATUITIES
In Norway, tips are not generally expected. If you visit a restaurant a service charge will be included with your bill. On the river, tips are entirely at your discretion. Most people like to give something to their guide and to the lodge staff. It is normally better to give a small token, such as a bottle of whisky or wine, rather than money.
INSECTS
The further north you go in Norway the more frequent the mosquitoes, particularly in July. However, insects are normally not a major problem when using repellents and taking sensible precautions. In the Arctic, you may need a mosquito veil in extreme situations but even here a bottle of repellent is often sufficient.
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FISHING TACKLE AND KIT
Fishing in Norway can be a unique experience but can be spoilt by not having the correct tackle and kit.
RODS
Many of the rivers in Norway reach a water temperature of 10C (50F) by mid summer (June 20 - 25) and most fishing will be with intermediate or floating lines. Some Norwegian rivers are wide and combined with the fact that rods frequently need to cast long distances, a double handed rod 13’ to 15’ and # 10 to 11 would be the best equipment. On smaller rivers or in low water conditions, a light 12’ to 14’ double hand or a good single hand rod would do the job. A lighter line ensures a delicate presentation of the fly and less disturbance to the pool.
LINES
Unless you are fishing the major rivers early in the season or are fishing in hot weather when snow melt and/or rain creates higher water levels, you are very unlikely to need a sinking line but are wise to have one just in case. We would expect you to be using an intermediate or floating line most of the time; though in July and August you should generally be able to manage with just a floating line.
NYLON
In the first part of the season (before mid July) or when you are fishing the ‘BIG salmon’ rivers and stretches, a leader of up to 24lb may be needed; also when fishing some pools in high water on the big fish rivers. Generally a leader of 18lb, or less in low water, is recommended and spools of 12lb and 15lb will cover most eventualities. We strongly suggest the use of clear leaders in the crystal clear water – the dark brown leader looks like rope in Norwegian rivers although water conditions and colours do change.
FLIES
Medium flies work well in Norway; good examples are Munro Killer, Ally’s Shrimp (lower stretches), Stoat’s Tail, Black and Yellow Waddington (although any black and yellow will do), Green Highlander, Blue Charm and Hairy Mary. Thunder and Lightning has re-emerged as a popular fly. The most normal sizes are 6 to 10 but it is worth having a few size 12 – 14 flies in case of low water. Please chat with your guide on arrival and call us to receive up-to-date reports on water conditions.
Sunray Shadow and Green Highlander tube flies can be deadly, particularly early in the season and you should bring a couple of sizes with you. On some rivers larger flies are needed; 1½” to 2” tubes in aluminium and brass are helpful.
WADERS
In most Norwegian rivers the current is too strong to wade deeper than your knees but chest waders have the added benefit of warmth on cold days. Chest waders may also make it easier to fish in June when the rivers can be high. Please consider bringing a wading stick and a wading life jacket. Most Norwegian rivers are powerful, particularly when there are high water levels. Please note that water levels can change significantly within hours.
FISHING HOURS
Most rivers in Norway allow 24 hours fishing all week through. However, there are rivers with allowing only 6 days fishing, and moves to split fishing hours into sessions, most frequently from 0500 to 1200 and 1600 to 2400. On the day of arrival you will normally start fishing after a “welcome meal” and then fish till midnight if you so wish (there is 24 hours daylight in the Arctic in the early summer) and on the day of departure the morning session is normally available.
OTHER FISHING
There are good supplies of sea trout, brown trout, Arctic char and grayling in some rivers, particularly in the Arctic part of Norway. A single-handed rod with a selection of sea trout and dry flies would be useful.
CATCH AND RELEASE
The majority of Norwegian rivers have no rules on catch and release. There are bag limits as a part of salmon conservation and we would encourage you to keep only the fish that you require for your own consumption. All beats offer facilities to freeze your catches and the possibility of local smoking arrange-ments if you want to smoke some of your fish. Smoked salmon is nice for the Christmas table, particularly with Norwegian Aquavit.
OTHER DIVERSIONS
Norway abounds with birds, wild animals, including elk and deer, as well as wild flowers and fungi. If you are keen on these things, do not forget to bring a pair of good binoculars and reference books.
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FINAL CHECKLIST
Fly Fishing Equipment & Clothing
 Double handed rod 13ft to 15ft
Single handed rod 9ft to 10ft
Reel with 150 yards of backing
Spare reel and spools
Floating line
Spare intermediate and sink tip lines
Spare sinking line
Clear nylon
Fly box and flies
Scissors (send them in your rod box)
Forceps
Chest waders
Wader repair kit
Wading lifejacket
Wading stick
Clippers
Hook hone
Polarised sunglasses yellow/grey/amber
Waterproofs
Extra sweater
Gloves
Hat
Mosquito veil (Arctic area)
Personal and Useful
Favoured snacks and goodies
Duty free spirits
Book(s)
Personal medicines
Camera/video and film
Batteries
Travel plug adapters (EU system)
Binoculars
Sunscreen and lip salve
Insect repellent
Most Important
Passport
Airline tickets
Travel insurance certificate
Photocopies of the above
Hotel vouchers
Cash
Credit card
Important, but can do without
Equipment disinfections certificate
(Will be arranged at destination)
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RECOMMENDED TACKLE SUPPLIERS (UK)
Farlows
9 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NP
Contact: Brian Fratel
Tel: 0207 848 1000
John Norris of Penrith
21 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HP
Contact: Pete Shaw
Tel: 01768 864211
Angling Direct
277 Aylsham Road, Norwich
Contact: D Bailey
Tel: 01603 400757
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NORWAY
There are good tackle/equipment suppliers related to most destinations.
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