NORWAY, NAMSEN VAEREM

Fly fishing for salmon on Namsen River in Norway. Fishmaster will arrange a hosted salmon fly fishing trip to the Vaerem beat on Namsen on 25th July – 1st August 2027. Jouni Rauha will work as a host for this trip. Vaerem Gård offers excellent  salmon fly fishing on Norway’s famous Namsen River. While the Namsen is traditionally known primarily for boat-based harling, the waters at Vaerem Gård feature fine runs and pools that are perfectly suited for two handed salmon fly fishing while wading.

NAMSEN RIVER

The Namsen River in Trøndelag, Norway—famously known as the “Queen of the Salmon Rivers”—is legendary for producing massive Atlantic salmon, with multi sea winter fish regularly tipping the scales at over 40 lbs (18 kg). The Namsen is a 228-kilometer-long salmon river flowing through the Nord-Trøndelag county in Central Norway; it is considered one of the best rivers in the world for Atlantic salmon fishing. As one of the longest rivers in Trøndelag, the Namsen flows from Røyrvik to Namsos, emptying into the Namsenfjord approximately 160 kilometers north of Trondheim Værnes Airport.

The Namsen ranks among Norway’s top three salmon rivers, with annual catches in recent years ranging between 3,000 and 7,000 salmon. The average weight of salmon in the Namsen is about four kilograms, though the largest specimens can exceed 20 kilograms. The river also supports a healthy population of sea trout.

The Namsen is a large river with clear water that carries a slightly brownish tint—a hue that intensifies following rainfall. Along its middle and upper reaches, the river is regulated, which means that water levels fluctuate less than in many other rivers. Nevertheless, heavy rainfall can still cause water levels in the Namsen to rise significantly.

VAEREM BEAT

Vaerem Gård is situated right along the Namsen River, 7 kilometers downstream from the center of Grong and approximately 40 kilometers upstream from the river mouth at Namsos. We offer salmon fly fishing on a diverse stretch of the Namsen River, which is excellently suited for both bank fishing and wading. The area features runs and pools that are exceptionally well-suited for salmon fly fishing. For the fly angler who prefers fishing from the bank or wading, Vaerem is a dream destination.

The Vaerem fishing beat is approximately 3.3 kilometers long. Along the uppermost 1.8 kilometers, we share the river with the Seem fishing beat—meaning fly fishing is permitted only from the right bank (when looking downstream)—while we manage both banks along the lowermost 1.5 kilometers. This renowned, long stretch known as “Vaerem-öra” contains two consecutive pools—Upper Vaerem-öra and Lower Vaerem-öra—which are available to our group on alternating days, one pool at a time.

We limit the maximum number of anglers in the Vaerem beat to 6 per week. The fly anglers are divided into two rotation groups of 3 people, with each group having its own designated area. The three sections of the Vaerem beat are rotated between the two groups according to a 3-hour rotation schedule.

We will divide the Vaerem beat into 3 beats. The uppermost beat is Vaerem (West bank), which is 1800 meters long and available every day. The next beat downstream is Upper Vaerem-öra, covering both banks over a length of 600 metres, and pool is available every other day. The lowermost pool is Lower Vaerem-öra, also covering both banks over a length of 900 metres, and this stunning pool is available every other day.

Vaerem is one of the finest fishing beats on the River Namsen, particularly well suited for fly fishing. In its best year 2020, the beat yielded 163 salmon and 60 sea trout—a total of 223 fish. In recent years, the Vaerem beat has produced approximately 150 salmon and sea trout per season.

FISHING RULES AND QUOTAS

In our week only fly fishing is allowed. We recommend all salmon to be released. Bag limits and quotas will be updated in spring 2027. Bag limit is one killed salmon per person per day. If fisherman kills a salmon, he must stop fishing until midnight. The season bag limit is 3 salmon: 2 salmon under 3 kg (65 cm) and 1 salmon over 65 cm per person. If person retains 1 salmon over 65 cm or total of 3 salmon for season, he must stop fishing for that season. From 1st August all salmon over 80 cm must be released. C&R daily quota is 2 released salmon per person per day. If person fills up daily 2 salmon C&R quota, he must stop fishing until midnight. Anglers can retain 1 seatrout per person per day.

FISHING SEASON

Fishing season on the Namsen River starts on the first of June. During the two first weeks of the season mostly big salmon enter the river weighing often 7-18 kg. At this time you have a good chance to hook and catch a salmon of your lifetime. During the early season water level is often high and water temperature is about 6-10 degrees. For these high and cold water conditions as fly lines we recommend Sink 3/5/8, sink 2/4/6, Sink 1/3/5 ja Float/S2/S4 shooting heads. In these conditions tube flies with 7-12 cm long wing are recommended.

By mid June the numbers of salmon in the River Namsen increase and in addition to big salmon there is often a good run of two sea winter salmon weighing 4-7 kg. The main run of salmon in Namsen River is from Late June to mid August, that period we can catch all sizes of salmon and the catch numbers per week are highest. During mid season the water level is often medium or low and water temperature is about 10-16 degrees. For these medium/low water conditions we recommend our guests to fish for example with Float/S2/S4, Float/Int/S2 ja Floating/Int shooting heads and tube flies with a wing length 3-7 cm.

During the last two weeks of August there are still some fresh salmon running but we also catch coloured salmon which have been in the river for a while – often very big ones. During late season the water level is often medium or low and water temperature is about 9-15 degrees. For these medium/low water conditions we recommend our guests to fish for example with Float/Int/S2, Float/Int and Floating shooting heads and tube flies with a wing length 3-5 cm. River Namsen fishing season ends on the last day of August.

FLY FISHING TACKLE

For fly fishing for salmon in August on the Namsen River we recommend 12-14 ‘ foot double handed fly rods for lines #8-10 and suitable fly reels with good quality brakes. Sink tip shooting heads are most used fly lines but please bring with also full sinking shooting heads for possible high water conditions. Before fly fishing everyone must buy Namsen card and Norwegian state license by internet. Disinfection for fishing gear is mandatory. Disinfection can be done at Vaerem Gård.

FLIES

Good salmon fly patterns for the Namsen River are: Banana, Black & Orange, Black & Yellow, Black Sheep, Dee Sheep, Green butt, Red butt, Greenlander, Green Highlander, Sunray Shadow, Monkey, Willie Gunn, Silver & Black and Allys Shrimp.

ACCOMODATION

Accomodation for our fly fishing group is in large Norwegian country house, which have been restored for anglers. The house is located by the Vaerem beat by the river. There is a big living room, a well equipped kitchen, toilet/shower and 6 bedrooms, so we have one bedroom per person. There is also a sauna on the river bank, close the house. Guests can cook their own food in the self catering kitchen.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Fly fishing trips to Namsen Vaerem are hosted trips. Jouni Rauha will work as a host for this trip. Anglers will take a flight or car transport to Norway. It is 182 km/2 hours 40 minutes drive from Trondheim Vaernes airport to the Namsen Vaerem beat. The accomodation and beat will be presented for guests on arrival.

• Dates: 25th July – 1st August 2027 (accomodation 25.7. at 16 – 1.8. at 12) (fishing 26.7. at 00-1.8.at 12)
• Price: 1980 eur/person/6 and half days/7 nights
• Number of anglers: 6 persons per week
• Bookings: 5 open rods
• Fishing trip includes: Fishing license, Fly fishing, Accomodation, Introduction of beat
• Fishing trip excludes: Flights/transports to Norway, Norwegian state fishing license (338 NOK = 30 eur), Namsen card (free of charge), Food/drinks, Disingection of fishing gear
• Species: Salmon, Seatrout
• Season: 1.6 – 31.8.
• More information: Namsen Vaerem 25.7.-1.8.2027 >>