Norway Report: 40lb sparkling salmon from the Orkla

Norway's excellent start to the season continues with some fantastic fish caught yesterday. Ex Liverpool and Norway football star Vegard Heggem now runs one of the best fishing 'villages' in Norway on the river Orkla (Aunan beat) and we are delighted that Vegard is partnering us to provide you with regular reports and fishing opportunities from that great river.

Monster salmon netted in Norway weighs in at 82.5lb

A magnificent salmon weighing 82.5lbs (37.5Kg) was caught a couple of days ago in a commercial bend-net in the Alta Fjord, northern Norway. This is a monster fish even by the river Alta standards. It is interesting that this huge fish was still out at sea at the beginning of July as the large fish do tend to enter the river systems early. Already this year three 50lb+ salmon have been caught in the river and of course two by females! One was hooked by 15 year old Katrine Opgård and another by Mollie Fitzgerald the owner of Frontiers International the well known fly-fishing travel company.

Mollie Fitzgerald with her magnificent 54lb Atlantic salmon

On 28th June 2008, co-owner of Frontiers, aged 45, Mollie Fitzgerald landed a 54 lbs salmon on the Alta river, Norway. The fish took a well-known pattern, the Mikkeli Blue in a pool called Ovre Sierra. The fly was surprisingly small (1-1/2' length) considering the fact that the river was essentially in flood at over 6.5 ft on the gauge. There was only a small window on the inside corner of the pool where fish might lie and the big one was in the 5 star hotel! Mollie also caught fish of 35lbs and 24lbs that night. 113lbs of salmon!

Atlantic salmon return in numbers to eastern Canada

To mid-July, Atlantic salmon rivers in eastern Canada have had some of the best wild Atlantic salmon returns in a very long time reports the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Water conditions throughout much of Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Maine were good and the salmon runs strong. From Labrador and the Quebec North Shore to Maine, and all points in between, anglers and salmon conservationists rejoiced.

Norway flies to the top of big salmon league

Two giant salmon have been caught this week in Norway and both on fly! The largest at 58 ¾ lb (26.7Kg) caught by 17 year Ulf-Arne Jungård Nilsen on the Alta is believed to be the new record fly-caught salmon from Norway. The second fly-caught monster was caught by Heikki Kemppainen on the Orkla. A small black and green fly of his own tying tempted his giant which measured 132cm (52in) and weighed 50 1/5lb (23Kg). Both fish were coloured having probably entered the rivers in June. This has been a wonderful year for huge salmon - even by Norwegian standards.

The Streamside Guide - Flying after Fall Salmon run

Our Streamside Guide - Peter Cammann, brings us another dose of US style 'excitement that comes either from the anticipation of great fishing or totally reckless behavior' as he heads off with some fishing buddies for a long overdue visit to the Salmon river in upstate New York.

Kings, Cohos, Steelhead and Brown trout are all on the target list!

Salmon return to Switzerland after 50 years

On 5 October 2008 a 91 centimeter-long female salmon was caught and then released in the Upper Rhine at Basel, Switzerland. This is the first caught in Switzerland since the late 50s! Read more ....

Giant pacific salmon found in Sacramento River

2008 has been a great year for monster Atlantic salmon but now a giant Pacific salmon has also been found. A 51in (130cm) long monster was found dead after spawning in a tributary of the Sacramento River by biologists during a spawning survey. From length and girth measurements the biologists suggest the fish would have weighed approximately 85lbs (38.6Kg). This salmon has passed on its genes to a future generation and with clear water and a free passage we'll be seeing more of these great specimens return to the Sacramento.

For photos and full story click here.

2008 on Russia's Yokanga: A year of big water and big fish! by Roddy Hall

In common with all of the Kola Rivers, 2008 saw a very late spring and therefore a cold and challenging start to our season. We were fortunate in that all the ice had left the river by the time we started on June 7th and although the water was cold at 3.5 C it was warmer than some other rivers in the northern parts of the peninsular. Read more .....

Seasons Finale in Nova Scotia

It's been fascinating hearing Phil Robinson's tales from Nova Scotia this past year - perhaps a place not many of us have had the opportunity to visit as yet, whereas those that have probably nod their head in agreement at his words.

This season ending tale for 2008 reflects on fishing friends past and present and the bond that ties us all together. To find out how you can secure your own piece of this riverside haven at St Mary's River, check the details in the summary box below Phil's final piece for this year inside.....

NASF's victory will help restore threatened salmon stocks of four nations

A prolonged campaign by the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF)  has at last broken through outdated Norwegian policies that have caused great damage to Norway's own wild Atlantic salmon stocks and those of Russia, Sweden and Finland.

A Fishery with a view...........

by Charles Jardine Hillview Trout Fishery. Nr Church Stretton, Shropshire. Isn't it odd?  I get to travel all over ... Full story

On The Water - Meon Springs Fly Fishery

Even on this January day there was evidence of fish rising, probably thanks to the waters being several degrees warmer here than elsewhere due to ... Full story

On the Water - Lakedown Trout Fishery

After a week of early April sunshine, Saturday morning did not start well with misty rain only giving way to heavy mist as we drove ... Full story

Fly fishing for wild brown trout in Ireland

In May 2004, Fish & Fly rod tester Pete Sutton enjoyed a long-promised week fly fishing in Ireland when he stayed at the Clonanav Fly ... Full story

Islay

Food is always an important part of any fishing expedition, whether for a day or longer. I am pleased to report that there is some ... Full story

Head North

by Roger Beck One day, perhaps I shall have the opportunity to cast a fly upon the hallowed waters of a southern chalk stream. ... Full story

Fly fishing on the Isle of Man - Part 1

by Philip White Tiny streams full of wild brownies and, in their season, sea trout and salmon, plus lakes stocked with hard ... Full story

Fly fishing on the Isle of Man - Part 2

by Philip White Next day Rob, one of John's fishery staff, took us over to the other side of the island, to ... Full story