Femundsmarka weekend

Finally, my late-winter weekend in Femundsmarka. I was speculating a lot where to go to ice-fishing for artic char, and at the end I decided to visit the lake we were ice-fishing with Tobias in December 2020. This time, I was sleeping in the tent in Båtstø camp next to the Femund lake. Minus 15 in the night, plus degrees during the day. Great to have the possibility for hot shower after a long day on the ice. 

The view from my tent over Femund lake. 

I like early starts. Waking up 4:50, drilling first hole on Volsjøen at 6:50. I was the first one on the ice and I expected a busy day, as Båtstø camp had a special ice-fishing offer that weekend (cabin + scooter transport + lunch for nice price).  

It was nice to have some views, as in December 2020 we did not see much around. 

And 11 hours later, I was one of the last ones on the ice. 

This is the reason why people come here to fish. A possibility to catch a big beautiful røya. This one is not mine, another fisherman, who was sitting next to me, got it around lunch time. For sure over 1kg of beauty. 

I was not so lucky/skilled, but at the end I got at least one nice fish (around 400-500g). I must say, that compared for example with Savalen, it seems much more difficult to get a fish at Volsjøen. Last year we got only 2 char in two days in two people (the story is here), this year 1 fish in one day by myself.  And most of the others did not get anything. But the lake is beautiful, the weather was amazing and there are big fish swimming:) 

Icefishing near Oslo

I love icefishing arctic char (siven, røya). This winter we did not travel to our favorite destinations such as Savalen or Femund and instead I focused my effort on Nordmarka near Oslo. It is not so easy here as in northern parts of Norway, but it is still possible to get some nice fish. There are several lakes, especially near Hakadal, that are known for relatively good char fishing. Best time is right after the lakes get frozen (end of November till Xmas). It means that the days are short and early start is required. And it also requires to be familiar with the places where char are gathering (called "varp"). Luckily, local guidebook provides good maps with such places. 

My goal was to get at least 2 blank (not spawning) char. I made 5 trips and got 6 fish, max was 400g, which is OK. I also met David, a fisherman from Czech republic, on one varp, which was great. Otherwise, there are typically local old men fishing, riding to the lakes on their e-bikes. They usually got more and bigger fish . But I am satisfied, as now I know what to do better next season:). Here are some pictures...

Early morning on one of the varps on Elvannet

Varp on Langvann, where I met David (we spoke Norwegian and English and after a few moment we realized we are from the same region in the Czech republic)

blank char from Langvann. Super tasty

always good to be on the ice

artic char is so beautiful

always good to have a company

I tried also Øyungen lake and got a few smaller char there. It was very cold day...

I got them under this rock, on mormyska (unexpected) from depth of 7-8m

And after Xmas, it is time for perch (okoun, abbor). Here we are with Tobias on Store Skillingen

good lake with bigger perch and some pike as well

and I made a trip to Rottungen as well...very good lake indeed. And now I am looking forward March  trip to Femund!

Some pictures from around

November is mostly not very nice month here in Norway.  Still no winter, but cold and sleety, darkness soon during the day. But there are nice moments every day around:)

on my way from Vestli metro station to our place on a border between Oslo and Nittedal district

every morning immunity combo

It is still possible to catch a fish. Left one is meat from Femund trout, right one from Nordmarka. 

my favorite lake in Nordmarka

on the way to my favorite fresh fish shop in Vinderen

Drøbak, a small town at Oslo fjord

is a former trading town (e.g. with salt)

and the old part has its charm

is it mostly a "summer town", but autumn looks nice there as well

and back to Oslo...a view from a platform at Sinsen metro station

and this is the place where I work

Sofienberg church in Rodeløkka

Quick jump into full autumn

Autumn (end of September) is magical time in the mountains around Femund and Engerdal. Probably my most favorite part of the year in the area that I like a lot.  

Weather forecast for the weekend was great, so I hit the road and went for a quick trip. I picked up a lake (Hognsjøen) on the map and drove. 

After 280 km I found this perfect camping place

and finally, after several months, put my tent again.

Morning view from the tent was magical.

No time to lose. .. lets hike up to the lake

Very nice lake indeed. I got a beautiful trout there and lost my biggest ever so far.

I will come back!

Salmon season 2021

Another salmon season is over. I visited Mandalselva, Orkla and Lierelva (2x). In total 12 days of fishing resulted in one salmon on Orkla and one seatrout on Lierelva. But most importantly, it was great time spent with my friends Ray, Tobias and KarlHeinz.  

Second weekend in June I drove to Mandalselva to start the season and meet Ray. 

Mandalselva (zone 2) is beautiful river and during two days we fished in many pools. Unfortunately, the water level was jumping up and down rapidly and the conditions were not good.   

Ray was the only one who saw a fish, because he visited a local salmonarium that exhibits some wild fish caught in the river.

Driving back to Oslo was long, but the scenery was rewarding. 

Finally back on Orkla (Svinsjøen), last week in June. Highlight of the season. We decided with Tobias to fish there the whole week, hoping to catch a big salmon.  Ambitious plan indeed! The biggest fish swim into the river first and June is good time to try to catch some. On the other hand it is not an easy task, as there are not so many of them in the river. And of course all depends on luck, timing and good conditions. 

Well, the conditions seemed OK and I got lucky already during our second day. The fish was standing behind that big stone in the middle of the stream. It took my spinner and I finally experienced a bigger fish on my rod. After not so long fight Tobias jumped into the water and grabbed the tail. 

It was 90cm female. Surprisingly it had only 6kg, which ranks as a "slim type" (normal type should have around 7kg). So we agreed it was a vegan salmon. Nevertheless I was super happy and I hoped that Tobias would get a salmon soon as well. 

Well, it took 5 days of hard work... Finally this 80cm beauty took his fly. Nicht falsch gefischt! During those five days, we had the whole 3km section almost exclusively for ourselves. It was amazing fishing without a fish:) and I became really good in casting my spinner. However, one week on one section was too much. But still, we were really lucky, because not so many fishermen got a fish during that week. 

some filleting work and it is time to celebrate a little bit. 

And the last day, KarlHeinz and his wife Margret joined us and I was really happy to see them again. We celebrated gently and I am looking forward to meeting them next year for longer time. 

me and the salamon

Later during the summer, I drove twice to that small river near Drammen and got one 0,5kg seatrout and lost probably a salmon. I am not sure If I will fish here again. It has strange rules - "catch and kill", almost everybody fish with worms and I have to say that the quality of meat was not very good compared to fresh fish from Orkla.