Summer never really arrived in the valley of Folldal this year, with one flood followed by the next. Heavy fluctuating water-level has left the fishing conditions poor.

The first part of July we had planned to fish the Grimsa and its nearby rivers, but due to the bad water conditions we had to postpone that part of the trip. We were still set on fishing, so we set off to the Rena river where fishing was rumored to be good. We had some good hatching, but the wind kept messing things up with regards to rising fish. We still managed to catch some fish and incredibly not one single grayling, just trout.

After a few days the we were ready for other destinations. The water level had dropped and our faith had risen. We packed our gear down and headed for river Grimsa. At arrival we discovered that the there was a new flood, north wind and cold – I’m sure if we went there earlier the flood would have done the same. Any road this gave us time light up a fire and taste the whiskey while waiting for the water level to drop. The river was browner than the fine liquid we were drinking.

When the rain finally gave up, the blue bird was showing – a nice picture revealed itself – Rondane mountains covered in snow. Nice indeed, but not what you normally want to see in June.

Keen fishermen we as are, we would not let ourselves be discouraged by bad conditions. On the third day the river was clearing up. Still cold but with dropping water level. This is when local knowledge comes in handy. We finally struck gold the last two day.

The Aurivilli may-fly was starting to come off the water and sporadic rises could be seen. And in some places the the fish where going nuts. In short we caught 30 grayling and about 15 trout, all pretty much around a kilo.

The two days of good fishing we had is the best fishing I’ve seen on this river, but also the weirdest conditions I’ve experienced. Never have I seen the trout this selective during an Auruvilliin hatch like this. The big fish however was not active in the surface until the very last hours of the trip.

The biggest fish I’ve ever seen in the river appeared, and after repeatedly missing the strike the fish stopped rising. After a while it was back on rising – it takes the fly and this time its on. The fish is steaming to the deep end and wont move from there. I have full pressure on the rod, but the fish wont budge. The fly comes off and the line goes slack – the hook as straighten out. Next time….

Bjørnar Hansen