The Highlands await
As a rather wet summer progresses it's easy for us fly anglers to have so much fun in our lowland rivers that we forget our yearly dose of high alpine fishing. Fear not, it's certainly not too late.
Southern Norway seems to be drying up slightly in the coming week as temperatures increase and the north-westerly winds in most of the southern part of the mountain range turns and brings warmer air from the east and south east.
If that plays out we will get more insect activity in the highlands (and not just the ones that fish prey on, but the ones who prey on us ... ), more rising fish and possibly the first swarms of insects that are more typical for late summer for instance the mysterious Bibio p. and it's 3-4 (or 2-5 in rare cases?) year cycle.
Several high alpine rivers and streams are also filled up with nice flows and several major bugs and their hatches remaining.
High altitude grayling
A recommended trip for a small group of anglers with mountain experience is the watershed that runs through Vangsvatnet, one of several public lakes and streams in Dalsida public lands, Lesja. A few rough and spartan cabins are available in the area that can be reached after a hike of 6-7 km from Gåsbu. The cabins lack running water and electricity (some have solar panels) but have ovens and lots of firewood.
What separate this watershed from most of the others in the area is the grayling. They were introduced to Vangsvatnet and Merrabottvatnet in 1910 and spread downstream and to a few smaller lakes nearby. They can grow to pretty decent sizes despite the short growing season at nearly 1200 meters altitude.
From Loch style to sight fishing
Trout are also plentiful and the presence of both species of excellent game fish for fly anglers at this altitude, makes this a very special area.
If you rent the cabin Vangstjønn you can also use a boat. Bring a drogue and you just might be the first to catch a high alpine Norwegian grayling fishing Loch style. Both buzzer rigs and traditional teams of wet flies should do the trick. Other cabins in the area also come with boats.
If you're on a trip in search of high altitude grayling make sure to check out the Gudbrandsdalslågen and it's tributaries . Zone 7 Lesja and zone 5 Sel both provide excellent sight fishing for trout and grayling, usually in gin clear waters. Dry fly and sight fished nymphs being the most effective techniques.
Other high places
Skjåk has hundreds of possibilities for high alpine fishing in lakes and running water. Further south lakes in both Birtedalen and Valebjørgheia in Fyresdal have provided excellent fishing this season, with fish approaching six pounds being caught on dry flies.
For a trip that's closer to Oslo, Lifjell just might be the ticket. Lifjell is a mountain area located just northwest of Bø in Telemark. The terrain is easy to hike, and you will find plenty of trails. The area is ideal for those who like to combine fishing and hiking. The area is also well suited to families with children.
