The Unsetåa river a is very beautiful river that flows through the old cultural farming landscape in the Unset valley, in Rendalen municipality. Not many people fish here and those who know about it keep quiet.

The river has a huge variation in flow and drop, but the calm meandering parts of the river that you will find in the fly fishing zone. Here the river has dug itself into a snake like shape, with deep pockets in the outer turns. The 12 km fly fishing zone has many nice stretches like this, and it contain fish of good size and quality.

A good sized trout are revealed looking trough a bush. Photo: (film screenshot) Anders Dahl Eriksen

There is both trout and grayling in Unsetåa, and admittedly there is a lot of small fish of both species, but in between you will find specimens of up to 1,5 kilo. In our short expedition last week, we found several fish of up to 1 kilo. The fish where extremely easily spooked, not unusual in a narrow and clear stream like this. It will really twist you, sneaking up on these fish. They seem to have eyes in the back. 

Finding the fish is a game of sneaking up the river along the bank, peaking through the bushes. Very often you will find the fish right up against the bank. At normal water level you will be able to cross the river in many places. This is useful when casting at fish pressing under the bank overhang on the other side. The fish on the picture above is situated mid river, and it swam off as soon as it saw the fly.

One of several rural cabins one can rent. Photo: Anders Dahl Eriksen

There are several cabins for rent in the area, and one can also put up a tent here, as long as you stay clear of farmed fields. Finding your way along the river is easy. The road goes along the river, but not next to it. It has marked turn-offs and pockets where you can park the car and start you fishing. The fly fishing zone start at the Gapahuken (timber shelter) by “Nordre Vesleenghølen” and runs down to the bridge at Kroken.