Post by almosthadapull on May 17, 2010 16:05:35 GMT
With June fast approaching and with it beckoning the start of another Norwegian season, I wonder if the fantastic fishing experienced by the people of Alta will be repeated.
During the period 1 to 23 June, the townsfolk of Alta may fish their river for around NRK 100 per day (that was the price in 2004). This fishing isn't included in the lottery draw either. June can be a bleak month so far north of the Arctic Circle, with trees only just coming into bud and the salmon often still in the fjord waiting for a rise in water temperature to entice them into the river. An average year produces 60 to 100 fish.
June 2008 was quite exceptional, both in numbers of salmon landed and for the size of the fish. Whether the run came early or not, the good folk of Alta made the most of their bounty and had three weeks of absolutely astounding fishing. Many rivers try to make claims of being "like" the Alta or as the "next" Alta but these claims never come to much. There is only one Alta and when you take a moment to run through the figures for 1 to 23 June 2008 you'll see why. On only four days did the average weight drop below 20 lb, and for 13 consecutive days the average weight was 22 lb or more. A memorable day was on 18 June for it produced 18 salmon with an average weight of just over 30 lb! That day's heaviest fish was 50.5 lb. The previous day had produced a fish of 53.4 lb to young Katrin Opgard. This was her second fish, previously warming up with a 35-pounder on 12 June. Katrin was most certainly Queen of the Alta in 2008.
Katrin and her fish.
The list of each day's heaviest fish is equally impressive. For the good folk of Alta it was a wonderful season. 2009 produced around 100 fish.
I don't get out much these days ;D so here's a list of the daily totals during that golden period in June 2008. (Can't format the table contents into the post so have to leave as an attachment at bottom of page.)
A few photos. The first come from a local paper (www.altaelven.no if you want to see more)and are of fish caught last June, the scenic and back end fish are courtesy of Kent Davenport who fishes the river in August.
14 kg from June 2009
Another 14 kg fish from last June
Portage point at the Gabo rapids on the journey up to Sautso
Kent Davenport with his 41-pounder
Steinfossen at dusk
During the period 1 to 23 June, the townsfolk of Alta may fish their river for around NRK 100 per day (that was the price in 2004). This fishing isn't included in the lottery draw either. June can be a bleak month so far north of the Arctic Circle, with trees only just coming into bud and the salmon often still in the fjord waiting for a rise in water temperature to entice them into the river. An average year produces 60 to 100 fish.
June 2008 was quite exceptional, both in numbers of salmon landed and for the size of the fish. Whether the run came early or not, the good folk of Alta made the most of their bounty and had three weeks of absolutely astounding fishing. Many rivers try to make claims of being "like" the Alta or as the "next" Alta but these claims never come to much. There is only one Alta and when you take a moment to run through the figures for 1 to 23 June 2008 you'll see why. On only four days did the average weight drop below 20 lb, and for 13 consecutive days the average weight was 22 lb or more. A memorable day was on 18 June for it produced 18 salmon with an average weight of just over 30 lb! That day's heaviest fish was 50.5 lb. The previous day had produced a fish of 53.4 lb to young Katrin Opgard. This was her second fish, previously warming up with a 35-pounder on 12 June. Katrin was most certainly Queen of the Alta in 2008.
Katrin and her fish.
The list of each day's heaviest fish is equally impressive. For the good folk of Alta it was a wonderful season. 2009 produced around 100 fish.
I don't get out much these days ;D so here's a list of the daily totals during that golden period in June 2008. (Can't format the table contents into the post so have to leave as an attachment at bottom of page.)
A few photos. The first come from a local paper (www.altaelven.no if you want to see more)and are of fish caught last June, the scenic and back end fish are courtesy of Kent Davenport who fishes the river in August.
14 kg from June 2009
Another 14 kg fish from last June
Portage point at the Gabo rapids on the journey up to Sautso
Kent Davenport with his 41-pounder
Steinfossen at dusk