Mid Norway

The Trondheim area offers excellent sea fishing from May to October, but the optimum time is mid June to late September. Cod, Coalfish, Halibut, Plaice and Haddock are the prime species in this scenic region.

Often we are asked by our clients where and when are the best places in Norway to target seriously big coalfish? Of course big coalies, lets say fish in excess of 20lb, can be encountered by anglers fishing at any of our destinations at any time of the year, though especially in the late summer months, but anyone looking to specifically target these exceptionally strong, deep diving sports fish should consider visiting the area around the island of Hitra.

Hitra is one destination that regularly produces big coalfish, and when we say big, we mean big! On a recent two-day recee trip Dave Lewis caught three 20lb plus specimens, the biggest being an impressive personal best that weighed 33lb 7oz. In addition to record class coalfish, the current world record coalfish of 50lb was caught in nearby Saltstraumen in 1995, the seas around Hitra hold monstrous ling, 50lb plus are far from the exception, big halibut along with other species of flatfish, cod-of course, pollack and many other species.

Mostly visiting anglers fish off Hitra aboard self drive boats, as throughout most of Norway, but please be advised this is not a venue for anglers who have no previous boat handling experience. Hitra is located on the open Atlantic coast and as such is obviously affected by the weather more than other destinations situated within sheltered fjords. Also, the area abounds with shallow, drying reefs, which is part of the reason why the fishing hereabouts is so good.

We offer excellent salmon fishing on the Gaula in conjunction with a top accommodation and guide service operated by Matt Hayes.

TRAVEL

Fly to Trondheim then hire a car to drive the 2 to 3 hours to your chosen fishing centre.

Mid-Norway, called Trøndelag, is split into two counties, North and South Trøndelag. The region offers great variety, from its rugged coast line on the west with thousands of islands and inlets, to the wide and very long Trondheim Fjord. Further inland, valleys and mountains offer the visitor a magnitude of opportunities for outdoor exploration.

The main city in the area is Trondheim with a population of ca. 170 000. A beautiful city on the shore of the Trondheimsfjord with many wooden buildings still intact.  The Nidaros Cathedral, which attracts some 400,00 visitors a year, was built to celebrate St. Olav and the tranquil Nidelva river snakes through the city with the old warehouses lining its route through the centre. Trondheim was established in 997 and was Norway’s first capital city. A status it enjoyed for almost 200 years. As a consequence there is plenty of history linked to the region and it has given inspiration to many outdoor historical plays and operas performed (mainly) during the summer months. The city also has many museums and buildings for you to explore unless you prefer to just wander the streets and take in the pleasant views. 

Trondheim is a university city and as a result has more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than any other Norwegian city. There are plenty of concerts too, especially in July when they celebrate the St. Olav Festival.

It is not only in the city of Trondheim you can explore the region’s history and cultural past. If you venture out to the coast you can see many monasteries and fortresses. You can also stop off at old trading posts and get a sense of life on the coast in the olden days. In Rørvik there is a spectacular coastal museum, famous both architecturally and for its content which tracks coastal history through 10,000 years and also explores what the future might hold. Heading inland you can get a taste of the history too and Røros offers an opportunity to look at over 300 years of mining and how that shaped the landscape and the people in the area. Røros also offers plenty of outdoor opportunities for anyone who enjoys the outdoor, summer and winter and has plenty of hotels, inns, cafes and bars in this fascinating town.

The Trøndelag region is also well known for its variety and quality of local food. When you look at the geography you can soon understand why, with the coast and all that has to offer, the gentle hills around the fjord with its many farms, the valleys and mountains with plenty of berries, mushrooms and rich in game with plenty of fish in the rivers and lakes.

Because the countryside is more gentle in this region it opens up for everyone to be able to really enjoy the outdoors. Walking is of course possible everywhere, from the hills around Trondheim to the high peaks in the mountains. If you don’t want to walk you can take advantage of the many opportunities available for horse riding. You can enjoy a day trip or go off across the mountains for a week long excursion with very experienced guides. There are plenty of old roads that are suitable for cycling too, away from the traffic where you can really enjoy the peace and tranquillity and take in wonderful views from the saddle. On your way, whether on foot by bike or on horseback, you can stop off to pick berries and mushrooms or drop a line into a lake or river and try your luck with fishing. For the serious fisherman there are numerous rivers for salmon, trout and grayling and, for the sea angler, you can take your pick along the coast. Here you will catch coalfish, cod, haddock and, if you are in luck, a big halibut.

You can of course, also enjoy the countryside from a canoe or kayak, both on the rivers and lakes and along the coast. A fantastic way to get close to the wildlife. The area around the fjord and the coast also offers some of the best diving in Europe.

Wildlife is everywhere. Elk roams the hills and occasionally even come into the city centre in winter. Red deer and reindeer are plentiful. There is plenty of birdlife too; grouse and capercaillie, owls and eagles circling above looking for its prey and many more

If you want to explore this landscape in winter you have plenty to choose from. You can have a go at cross country skiing on the many prepared tracks. A wonderful way to get out in wintertime. If you want something to get the adrenaline flowing,  there are plenty of alpine skiing resorts offering opportunities for the beginner as well as the experienced skier. The region offers some of the most reliable skiing conditions in Europe from December through to April. There are also opportunities to dogsledge with Huskydogs pulling you through the winter landscape or get close to reindeer and let them take you by sledge on a winter safari. Walking with snowshoes is also a great way to experience the landscape and wildlife in winter.

Getting there

Most visitors will arrive at the modern airport ‘Værnes’ with very frequent links to Trondheim by coach and a train station within the terminal itself. The airport has direct flights from the UK three days per week, making this a very convenient way of getting there. There are also direct flights from Amsterdam by KLM and flights by all the major airlines via the airport in Oslo.

You can, of course, arrive by train too which gives you the chance to take in the countryside as you travel to your destination. There are also plenty of coach companies offering convenient travel around the region.

For those of you who want to explore the area on their own, there are plenty of car hire firms. All the well known ones plus some local firms too.

Whichever means you get to Trøndelag, you will have a great choice of things to do, whether you are a serious angler or hillwalker, or you are enjoying a family holiday and are looking for a variety of outdoor activities with a mix of culture and history thrown in.