NORWAY, AUSTNES SALMON LODGE
Fly fishing for salmon on the Verdal River in Mid-Norway. A fine Austnes Salmon Lodge and prolific Austnes beats are located on middle Verdalselva. Austnes beats are some of the finest and most productive beats of Verdalselva including famous Blåmelshölen, Ivar Bend and Austnesfossen pools.
VERDAL RIVER
Verdalselva is one of the good salmon rivers in Norway and flows into the sea at Trondheimsfjord about 80 km north from Trondheim. The average size of salmon is about 4-5 kg but biggest Verdalselva salmon are around 20 kilos. The annual salmon catch from the Verdal River varies between 600-1200 salmon.
AUSTNES BEATS
The guests are fly fishing beautiful Austnes beats situated middle Verdal River about 20 km from the estuary. Total length of the Austnes beats is about 5000 metres. Number of rods fly fishing on Austnes beats is 8 rods per week. Austnes beat is 1200 metres long on the Left bank and 800 metres on the Right bank. Austnes beat can be fly fished every day. Austnes beat is exclusive for Austnes anglers. The first 50 metres downstream from the Austnes waterfall is not open to fishing.
Vest Grunnan beat length is 500 metres on the Left bank and 1000 metres long on the Right bank. Vest Grunnan beat is exclusive for Austnes anglers only and can be fly fished every day. Breding beat is 600 metres long on the Right bank. We share Breding beat with another Lodge, the beat can be fly fished 50% of the time with 8 hours rotation schedule. Walberg/ Auskin beat is 1500 metres long on the Right bank. This beat we can fish with 2 Austnes rods at a time. There are some other anglers also fishing the Walberg/ Auskin beat.
FISHING RULES
Fly fishing is allowed. Bag limit is one salmon per person per day. If fisherman kills a salmon, he must stop fishing until midnight. The season bag limit is 3 salmon per person, of these 2 salmon may be over 65 cm. Season bag limit for season 2024 might be changed to 1 salmon above 80 cm and 2 salmon below 80 cm. It will be confirmed before the end of March. Released salmon is not counted on quotas. All female salmon must be released 15.7.-31.8. We recommend also coloured male salmon to be released. All seatrout must be released. Every caught fish must be recorded to the Elveguiden Laksebörsen during the same day. We recommend catch & release.
FISHING SEASON
Fishing season on the Verdal River starts on the first of June. During the two first weeks of the season only big salmon enter the river weighing often 7-15 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 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 Verdal will 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 Verdal River is from early July 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. Verdalselva fishing season ends on the last day of August.
FLY FISHING TACKLE
For fly fishing for salmon on the Verdalselva we recommend 12-15 ‘ foot double handed fly rods for lines #8-11 and suitable fly reels with good quality brakes. Single handed rod of for example 9-10’ for lines 7-8 will be also fine in low water conditions. Floating, sink tip or intermediate shooting heads are most used fly lines but please bring also sinking shooting heads for possible high water conditions. Before fly fishing everyone must disinfect fishing gear and buy a Norwegian state license.
FLIES
Good fly patterns for the Verdal 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.
AUSTNES SALMON LODGE
Accomodation for guests is in charming Austnes Salmon Lodge cottages. Those cottages are located on the river bank of the Austnes beat and have been well equipped for fishermens needs. Each cottage has a living room, a well equipped kitchen and single bedroom for every guest. Toilet and shower are in the cottage or in the neighbouring building. Guests can cook their own food in the cabins but it’s not included in price. Full board can be arranged with extra payment.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Fly fishing trips to Austnes Salmon Lodge will be arranged throughout the fishing season and the packages can be booked according to the client’s preferred dates. Anglers will take flight or car transport to Norway. It is 60 minutes drive from Trondheim airport to the Austnes Salmon Lodge and beats. Fishing week begins on Sunday at 15 and ends next Sunday at 12. Owner of the Austnes Salmon Lodge will introduce accomodation and beats to new guests on arrival.
- Price: 1650-1850 eur/person/7 days/7 nights
- Number of anglers: 8 rods per week
- Fishing trip includes: Fly fishing, Fishing license, Accomodation, Introduction of beats
- Fishing trip does not include: Flights/transports to Norway, Norwegian state fishing license (310 NOK = approx 30 eur), Disinfection card (200 NOK = 18 eur), Food/drinks
- Species: Salmon, Seatrout
- Season: 1.6. – 31.8.
- More information: Verdal-Austnes Salmon Lodge >>
AUSTNES SALMON LODGE 2024
Week/Dates Price/Pers Anglers/Open Rods
27 (30.06-07.07) | 1850 eur | 8 Anglers/Fullbooked
28 (07.07-14.07) | 1850 eur | 8 Anglers/4 Open rods
29 (14.07-21.07) | 1850 eur | 8 Anglers/3 Open rods
30 (21.07-28.07) | 1850 eur | 8 Anglers/4 Open rods
31 (28.07-04.08) | 1850 eur | 8 Anglers/6 Open rods
32 (04.08-11.08) | 1650 eur | 8 Anglers/2 Open rods
33 (11.08-18.08) | 1650 eur | 8 Anglers/4 Open rods
