Dokkfaret ­water ­system ­in ­Gausdal

Fishspot have had an excursion to the Langsua Nasjonalpark where you will find some fantastic varied fishing, ranging from forest rivers and lakes in the valley, to high lands speckled with trout and arctic […]

Fishspot have had an excursion to the Langsua Nasjonalpark where you will find some fantastic varied fishing, ranging from forest rivers and lakes in the valley, to high lands speckled with trout and arctic char waters. We concentrated on fishing the water system that runs from the Vestfjell mountain down to the Dokkafløyvannet lake.

Gausdal Vestfjell Moutain

Gausdal Vestfjell is located in the mountains between Gudbrandsdalen and Valdres. This area offers a wide variety of terrain where you will find old growth spruce and fir forests, vast flat land swamp areas, thick birch forests, and wide open mountain plateaus. The high mountain lakes are typically deep and clear, while the forest ponds are dark watered, and many of them packed with fiesty trout. There is also a wide variety of running water, with rapid shallow sections to deep pools in ravines and stiller running sections. Many of the small streams are difficult to stop fishing because there are endless pools to be found around each corner. The best known rivers found here are Dokkelva, Nordåa, Revåa, and Hynna.

 

The fishing
Here you will find clear mountain streams with creek trout, secretive forest lakes, kilometers ov varied rivers that break off into pockets and lakes. Ecpecially Dokkelva and Dokkfaret  are good examples of this.

The lower bit of Dokkfaret. Photo: Anders Dahl Eriksen

When we came to visit we only fished in Dokkelva river, we where a bit early for good fly fishing as the water was still cold. We where also exposed to heavy winds. The water temperatur, however, shold now be good and fishing are approaching its peak. There is a lot of fishing available, both accessible fishing by road or more reclusive places that requires a bit of hiking into the common fishing area or into the National Park.

In Gausdal Public lands an Gausdal Vestfjell the fishing opportunities are open to everyone. With 90 different fishing waters and over 40 km of rivers. Trout are the dominant species here, however in some of the lakes there are also healthy amounts of arctic char, whitefish, and perch. Here you will find everything from large mountain trout in high elevation lakes, to lower elevation ponds packed with char and perch for those who are not as patient.

For those who have limited mobility, the Valdrestjønna Fishing Pond is located along the county road Vesfjellvegen (FV 204), right between Kittilbu Outdoor Museam and Holsbru Kafe. Valdrestjønna was original used to as a hatchery lake for stocking fish throughout the area, but is now a fishing pond with great access for anglers both young and old.


Tortjønn cabin Photo: Anders Dahl Eriksen

Accommodation
Gausdal Vestfjell and Langsua Nasjonalpark are made for hiking and outdoors life. A well established network of marked hiking trail, makes it easy to navigate between the many waters and cabins. You can pitch a tent for the night, or you can utilize the many open or rental cabins. The Gausdal Mountain board  disposes 8 rental cabins, and 14 open cabins that are free to use as a shelter for the night. The konsept of open cabins is common in Norway and was initially built as shelter hunters and herdsmen, now functioning as a free shelter for hikers. They are open to use, and the custom is to leave the place the way you fond it, and maybe leave a chocolate or canned food.  One of these cabins is  Leppehytta.

Liumseter cabin with the view. photo: Anders Dahl Eriksen