Time is running out for the trout fishing in Norway, we won´t write it off yet, but we are approaching the autumn season for grayling. Grayling fishing in Norway is by many regarded as the best arctic grayling fishing there is. Here you will find a quick introduction into this fishing, and where to fish for them. 

Methods
Although some fish for grayling with worms or light spin gear, grayling is first and foremost a fly fishing target species. With fly fishing, there are a number of techniques. In the autumn it is often far between the sparse hatchings, if any, it is often in mid day or at dusk, where you get swimming pupa and caddis.

With this in mind, many choose to fish with nymphs, and the crucial thing to get right is to get the nymphs down to the fish. This usually involves heavy weighted nymphs, or a team of nymphs, often fished with the effective Tcheck Nympf style.

In the daytime, you might fin sporadic hatches of mayflies, and caddis towards the dark hours. Don’t be afraid to stray away from classic aquatic insects, as a terrestrial insect imitation can prove very effective. Bugs such as beetles, ants, and daddy-long-legs, can prove to save your day.

Streamer – yes, you heard me right. The arctic grayling can be a ferocious predator and it won’t back down even from really big streamers like in this picture. The most commonly used streamers, however, are usually much smaller. This picture is taken in the Rena river, a river that holds massive grayling often over three pounds.

US angler Jake Semons with a Rena grayling,  Photo: Black Fly Eyes

Keep in mind; grayling is not nearly as shy as the trout, and long casting skills are not needed. The fish mostly close to the bank and often tucked right on the edge, or even between your legs while wading. The grayling mouth is not as solid as on a trout, and it needs to be treated gently if the fish is meant to go back. use barbless hooks and keep the fish in the water as it does not withstand handling very well.

Fishing areas
Thre is an abundance of rivers that support grayling in the Hedmark county. In fact, there is hardly any rivers that do not contain grayling. We would like to mention these rivers: The Glomma, Renaleva, Femundselva, Trysilelva, Engeråa, Hola, Unsetåa, Gløta, Isterfossen and Sømåa.

Some places stand out. Kvennan Fluefiske in the Glomma river, is widely known for its outstanding grayling fishing.The Koppangsøyene delta in Glomma is also popular are not far away from Kvennan.

Photo: Andre Brun

In the Rena river, the grayling can reach very good sizes, maybe the biggest in our area. The upper parts of the river, above Rena FishCamp, is especially good in the autumn.

Photo: Anders Dahl Eriksen

In the Trysil river, Gjerfloen flyfishing is known for it huge stock of grayling and a popular venue for competition fishing. Another part of the river called Vestsjøberget Fly fishing offers 5 km of exclusive water with a maximum group of eight people.

Photo: Kjell Rakkenes

In the Engerdal municipality, there are many good grayling streams. A good base camp for excursions into this are is Galten Gård and Johnsgård Turistsenter. In addition, there are many cabins for rent.

The mighty Gudbrandsdalslågen river, yes that is a mouthful, hold good numbers of grayling and is a very beautiful river with crystal clear waters and a long season. Check out the Selsvollene area in the upper parts.

Tight lines
Anders Dahl Eriksen