The excitement and frustration that has embodied this river over the past year, has caused plenty of profanity to fly over the water in this valley.  So badly that the population here has decreased as the devout religious folks move away in an attempt to shield their ears. But stubborn anglers don’t give up so easiliy, they just take it as a challenge and fish even harder.

Grimsa River in Folldal has always been a challenging river for sports fishermen. The crystal clear water makes for very spooky fish that are not taken with leaders that are too short or tippet that is too thick. And wading you ask? Just keep it to a minimum and don’t think about it if you want to catch the big trout here. But, due to the low pressure on this river the fish can be very eager to take a well presented fly.

A strong fighting fish.

But something has happened which appears to have effected the resiliency of the fish here. Maybe it is the consistently low water levels seen last summer that has made the fish even more picky? Or could it be a lack of intense hatches in combination with increased fishing pressure? Frustrated fly fisherman, scratching his head and looking through his fly box for the one fly that will do the job has his mind running wild with any explanation he can reach for. One thing is sure, the fish here have become very picky with the flies they choose to rise for.

The very flies that have helped anglers crack the code for several years in a row on this river are now being rejected left and right. And the grayling aren’t eating either, which is very strange because they are known as one of the most opportunistic top-water feeders in the game. But, the fish are still here.

A grayling casually denying a fly.

Nerves are on edge due to how strange these fish have become. You watch the fish slowly rise to take the fly and right as he goes to open his mouth he just stops. Or, they will come follow the fly for several meters as it floats downstream, and just as the adrenaline is peaking they turn back to where they were laying. And then they continue to rise. And when when they do actually take your fly by mistake the tension is so high that you try and set the hook way too soon, miss the fish, and more expletives fly across the water.

A trout turning away at the last second.

However, there are times you are finally able to crack the code with the right fly, the right presentation, and a willing fish. Then you relive this story all over again. For some fly fishermen this is what it’s all about.

The excitement that comes along with this type of challenge is something one must experience firsthand, as well as the frustration. It is these types of days that can teach you a lesson, and wise anglers are always willing to learn from what the river has to teach them. So just keep fishing until you figure something out, your hair starts falling out, or until your head explodes from high blood pressure.

Fishing license and accomodation 

The river has a rod limit of ten rods and the sale of these tickets have now started. Accommodations is available at Kvebergsøya Family Farm, a traditional barnyard in Folldal, with roots going back to the 1600’s. The buildings are old en authentic and also restored with modern facilities. The farm is near to the forest an the famous Grimsa river. The mountainous region offers rich outdoor experiences, hiking, fishing, horse and carriage.