Game Fishing at the Reisa Fjord Hotel

Snow capped peaks provide a dramatic backdrop to the sea trout and salmon fishing in the Nordreisa region of Northern Norway. Both species can be caught on fly and spinner, either from rivers or the saltwater fjords which cut deep into the rugged coastline.

Norway has long boasted a reputation for producing big sea trout and salmon. Nordreisa is no exception, for while the weight of the average sea trout is around 3lbs there’s always a chance of something bigger - much bigger. Fish over twenty pounds are a real possibility and salmon twice that size have been hooked, but not always landed.

All this takes place in an area of spectacular beauty 250 miles inside the Arctic Circle and during the brief but dramatic summer the sun hardly sets at all. Looking west, in the direction of Greenland, midnight can be a time to witness a glorious sunset the horizon set alight in vermillion and gold.

For fly fishing, a 9 ½ ft eight-weight rod is ideal, teamed with a fast sinking or, alternatively, an intermediate line for shallow water. Due to the density of sea water always use a specialist coldwater, saltwater intermediate to get the correct sink-rate. A line tray is also highly recommended to keep the line well clear of any weed or sharp rocks.

Effective fly patterns are those that imitate the sea trout’s diet of small fish and shrimps. Try the Magnus, a classic Scandinavian sea trout pattern, or the rubber-legged Fyggi which is a great copy of a small shrimp.

For spinning, choose a rod around 9-10ft long capable of casting up to 20-30 grams. Green and silver and blue and silver lures are the most effective colour combinations.