The season started at midnight on 1 June with a water flow of 200m³/sec. at Gaulfossen and a water temperature of 7.1°C. During the course of the day, the Gaula fell to 160m³/sec. by the afternoon. The weather conditions in the days before the start of the season seemed to favour an early start not only in the lower reaches but also in the middle sections of the river. Just a few days before, however, there had been unexpectedly heavy snowfall and rainfall in the catchment area, which resulted in higher water levels in the first days of the season, with a partial reduction of salmon passing through Gaulfossen.
At 5pm on the 1st June, 33 salmon up to 15kg (length 114cm) had already been registered on the Elveguiden website. Most of them were caught on fly. The catch reports gradually poured in over the next few days and by the evening of 4 June, 100 salmon with a total weight of 825 kg had already been registered. A further 11 fish (sea trout etc.) were also caught. All the salmon were released, as the new strict restrictions mean that no salmon over 65cm can be killed until further notice. The salmon were caught using the following methods:
- Fly 65.8%
- Worm 25.2%
- Wobbler 1.8%
- Spoon 5.4%
- Spinner 1.8%
The first fish (length 98cm) above Gaulfossen was caught by Kim Jørgensen in the Renna Pool of the Norwegian Flyfishers Club (NFC).
Manfred Raguse caught his first Gaula salmon of the 2025 season on 2 June at 6 pm. The fish was 98cm long and was released.
The wonderful condition of the numerous large salmon is striking. There are not many rivers in the world where more beautiful Atlantic salmon can be caught. Encouraging is also the latest report from the research nets in Agdernes, which report a fivefold increase in their salmon catch, both for large salmon (over 7kg) and for medium-sized salmon (4.5-7kg).
If you would like to fish the Gaula, please contact the International Flyfishers Club (IFC) by e-mail info@internationalflyfishersclub.com or phone +49-172-4266036. There are still rods available and professional support is provided. Beginners fishing for salmon with a fly are also welcome. Hire tackle is available.
Best regards, Yours, Manfred Raguse
and the Team oft the International Flyfishers Club