After a slooooow spring and late start to summer, a heat wave finally hit hard. The lower elevations are well into summer, but both higher up in the valleys and farther north, the summer is about to start with a bang.

Renaelva has already reached 14C, and both sporadic hatches and ant swarms have been reported on the warmer days. The hatches are been localized, but if you manage to hit one you can have some great fishing. The insect life is just going to increase over the days and weeks ahead, and Rena (as well as the thick trout found there) are always high on our list for places to visit. Here you’ll find 15 good tips for flyfishing this summer. Rena is obviously on the list.

If you are new to Renaelva then don’t underestimate the value of a guided float with John Bond at Rena Fishcamp to get to know the river. John is an experienced trout guide with a long history in Montana, USA, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Both fresh and experienced anglers alike will learn a thing or two about both the river and techniques that work on a guided float.

Powerful heat

At Kvennan Fly Fishing i Glomma the water levels have stabilized, the water temp has passed 12C, and the fish have awoken. Kvennan Fly Fishing reports good fishing for grayling on ant imitations through the lower sections of the fly fishing zone.

The heat wave that has hit East Norway has turbocharged summer after a slow start, and many of the mountain areas have come to life. For those of you who plan several weeks ahead we would recommend Skjåk Almenning. In Skjåk you’ll find over 300 lakes and 250 km of running water to explore, and here you will find 10 tips for your fishing trip to Skjåk Almenning.

Tributaries draining into Glomma and Gudbrandsdalslågen should not be overlooked over the next few weeks. You can find tips on good fishing spots throughout Fishspot here.

In renowned Engerdal things have also started to happen. The next two to three weeks here are going to be very exciting… The Trysil Area also has much to offer moving forward, both for fly nerds and their families.

Slower in the west and north

Holselva and Borgundselva are still running relatively high, but the second that flows stabilize we expect some good action on these rivers.

On Gudbrandsdalslågen the flows have been high and varied for quite some time. Midge hatches have been reported, but the mayflies have yet to show themselves for the most part (with some localized hatches). Now, with the moister air and slightly more tolerable temperatures for fish, insects, and anglers, things should start happening throughout the upper stretches of river. Zone 5 (Sel) and 7 (Lesja) see the most angling pressure. However, zone 6 (Dovre) can be the joker card, especially if you want more room for yourself.

The large wilderness areas throughout Snåsa vary widely in elevation, so while some lakes are well under way some are still covered in ice. Here you will find many good fishing tips from Snåsa fjellstyre.

The best is ahead of us.

Even further north things simply take more time. Heavy snowpack in the Barduelva drainage indicates that it might go well into July before things pick up – but Barduelva, which is surrounded by high mountains and hydroelectrically regulated is notoriously hard to predict. As always, the locals who can pop out for a quick trip at a moments notice have a big advantage.

Over the next several weeks we’ll see some of the best fishing opportunities for us fly fishermen. Just take your time and don’t let the fish spot you first.