After careful analysis it’s been confirmed that one of Vangrøfta’s large trout has been caught before. The first time was 9 years ago in 2007. These three zealous fly fishermen pictured below, Olav, Håvard and Sigbjørn, are well known faces on the banks of Vangrøfta. This year marked their 10th year fishing Vangrøfta together, and as such they have earned themselves honorary title of ”Grøftoterene” (Ditch Otters) from Fishspot. Yes, it does make more sense in Norwegian.

The ”Otters” like to mix things up and enjoy killing time waiting for rising fish with various sports activities. On this day they played croquet. From left- Sigbjørn, Håvard and Olav. (All photoes: the Otters)

This summer the ”Otters” caught their largest trout to date in Vangrøfta, which was well documented and celebrated as is customary for this crew.  However, upon closer inspection it was realized that they had seen this fish before. This fish had been caught in roughly the exact same place 9 years earlier. As anyone who has ever held a nice wild trout before knows, the spot patterns on every individual fish is unique. And some more than others. This fish was quite easy to identify as being the same fish they had caught twice before due to its unique coloration and spot pattern.

In 2007 it was caught on an Ephemerella Aurivilli imitation by Håvard, weighing in at 1.4 kilos.

In 2009 its was caught again by Håvard on a mosquito pattern, this time weighing 1.7 kilos.

In 2016 it was caught yet again by big brother Sigbjørn on a Danica imitation and had grown to 2.7 kilos.

If you assume that a trout takes roughly 5-6 years to reach a weight of 500 grams, and continues to grow at a weight of 150 grams a year afterwards then this fish would be roughly 20 years old. The growth of larger trout in Vangrøfta is on average 150 grams a year according to the ”otters” who have caught several other individual fish on more than one occasion and are no strangers to the large trout here. This not only illustrates the positive effects of catch and release regulation on a stream but also makes us wonder… What age can these fish reach?

A more detailed report on the seasons catch in Vanngrøfta will be finalized before christmas, and this will be sent to everyone who purchased a fishing license in Vangrøfta in 2016.

So now, it just to wait for a new croquet season.