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Read about the rotenon treatment here!
Firstly, since the mid-18th century, anglers from all over the world has priced the large-salmon fishery. Salmon ranging up to 50 pounds have frequently been caught in the river during the years. The strong runs of multi-sea winter salmon is accompanied by a population of large sea-run brown trout, and in Lærdal and the neighbor-river Aurland, there has been developed a challenging dry-fly fishery for these large 15-20 pound trouts.
Secondly, the river runs through a breath-taking valley. Steep hillsides with occasional waterfalls, reaching directly up to the Jotunheimen mountains, a green and productive forest- and meadow bottom and the extremely clear water creates among the most picturesque surrounding for salmon fly-fishing.
At last, it's the river's long angling history and the richly developed culture related to fly angling that frames the fishery even today. The impressing list of authoritative persons fishing the river during it's 150 year angling history contains Norway's King Harald, the polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, a number of noble persons from Great Britain, and film stars, artists, and businessmen from all across the world. Many of these people continue to visit the river and the salmon.
About the fishery
The Lærdal and it's fishery is unfortunately not like in earlier days, but still
definitely worth a visit. The large-grown salmon in the river is probably among
those stocks in Norway who suffers most severe from the long-lasting over-harvesting
in the sea during the 70's and 80's. But still there are salmon to be caught, and
the sea-trouts represents an interesting supplement to the salmon.
The fishery and the running times differs strongly between the lower reaches and
the upper reaches. While there is possibility of excellent fishing from June in
the lower half, the upper parts is usually best in August. The lower half mostly
consists of smooth runs and glides, whereas the upper part is rich in waterfalls
with some big, deep pools in between.
Because of the attractiveness of the river, and the traditions for several-year
leases, it is difficult to get access to the river. And if you get any opportunity
for a fishing permission, the price is generally higher than in all other salmon
rivers in Norway, between 1,000 - 2,000 Nkr. pr. day.
If you are interested in a
fishing license, you could try to contact:
And don't forget to pay a visit to the
unique Wild Salmon
Centre located here.
