FISHERY POOLS
The fishery is approx some 4km in length, with fishing on both banks, fly only. We enjoy total control over the water and the fishing is reserved uniquely for our guests. The fishing is divided into 8 beats which our guests fish in rotation. Daily resting periods of 8 hours for all of the pools are in place in June and July.
Our water combines two renown fisheries. At the upper end, stretching for approx 2 kilometers, is the Fjeseth, Osøy, Hovstad section while the lower 2km is controlled by the Malum Winsnes landowner group. Because the fisheries are adjacent to each other, we run them as a single unit. All of the beats on the fishery are accessible from both banks. Several of them are within comfortable walking distance from the lodge but a vehicle is required to access those at the top end of the fishery and on the far bank.
#1 JUNCTION AND FJESETH POOL
Wading: easy/medium
Located at the upper reaches of our fishing grounds, the Junction pool marks the confluence of the Gaula and Fora rivers. Although it may be relatively compact in size, its potential should not be underestimated, as Fora has a run of salmon in its own right.This means that fish that wish to continue their journey upstream either on Gaula or Fora, will rest awhile in the Junction pool.
A smooth, glassy glide, the two water flows mix to form the head of the pool, a frequent hotspot, before the boisterous currents are tamed and a fast flowing aquarium is revealed. Stealth, concealment and experimentation with casts at varying angles are the keys to unlocking this enigmatic pool.
The Fjeseth pool, just downstream is also part of beat one which extends for approximately a kilometer, maintains its reputation for harboring fish throughout the season but is not fishable at high water levels. The lower section of beat one is rough and rugged with fishing off both banks. There are several small ‘pots’ or mini-pools located between the Fjeseth pool and the lower boundary for the beat, known as ‘The Old Bridge.’ Indeed, some of the best fishing on the beat can be enjoyed with running salmon in the small hole above the Old Bridge.
#2 The Old bridge and railway
Wading: fishing off the bank, moderate/difficult
Situated as the central nucleus of our fishery, the Old Bridge Pool reigns as the principal holding haven. It is very deep with conflicting currents immediately below the bridge, gradually shallowing toward the tail.
Here, the salmon seek refuge by nestling amidst the boulders scattered along the rocky ridge within the pool’s midsection. Both flanks of this pool offer promising prospects to the angler. And while the access will deter those not comfortable on rocky banks, those that can fish it will find it productive. Fish are caught every season off both banks which offer different presentation. The road side is best when fish are running into the pool at the last casts off this bank will swing across the running slot.
Directly below, you’ll encounter the Railway Pool, accessible by strolling along the bank adjacent to the bedrock side of the Old Bridge. Characterised by a shallow run with a decent scattering of large and mid-sized boulders, this pool fishes well when salmon are running. Being shallow it is not a major holding pool but it is a place where presentation of the fly is often excellent and the fish do not have far to travel to take it because of the relatively shallow depth. Often overlooked, this is an excellent pool although access is suited to confident waders and walkers.
# 3 The bottle pool
Wading: Easy/moderate
Without doubt, one of the very best fly fishing pools on the Gaula, The bottle Pool, so named apparently, after a gentleman of yesteryear for some inexplicable reason cast a whisky bottle into the pool and in doing so gave the pool its name. These days we would take a rather dim view of such behaviour although in recent times the link between the pool and the legendary ‘monkey stone’ has led to the offering of bananas to the pool god. those responsible shall reamin nameless!
This really is a gem of a pool. Almost a kilometer in length, it is fishable throughout and indeed has produced salmon for almost every square meter of its length during the time that we have known it.
With wonderful pace from top to tail, the pool is realtively easy to wade, with the deeper water forming a long channel that extends all the way down the pool on the far bank. Even moderately skilled casters will find it easy to reach the taking strip and the consistent flow in the pool makes fly presentation fairly easy. The bottle Pool is an excellent place to catch running and resident fish and is home to some very big salmon. A dream pool, this is one of the great pools of the Gaula.
# 3 kroken
Wading: Easy
Our Home pool and one of the most famous salmon fishing spots on the Gaula, Kroken means ‘bend’ or ‘crook’ and the pool derives its name from the way the water turns sharply at the head before giving way to a half kilometer glide that is littered with boulders. Deepest on the far side, the channel runs along the full length of the pool, gradually becoming shallower as it approaches the tail. The channel itself is quite deep, around 4 meters at its deepest point, with the water deepest against the far bank and gradually shallowing as it approaches the fishing side. In effect, anglers fish down a slope with the fastest water on the outside. Perfect! The pool is best known for producing big fish and over thenyears it has earned a reputation for being one of the very best salmon pools on he whole river. With oits perfect current and even flow, fish can be caught at many, many points along its length with several hotspots along the way. No cast is without nthe possibility of a fish anywhere on this pool and it producers fish throughout the whole season. A dream to wade, it is an easy walk from the lodge.
#4 Lillestrøm
Wading: moderate
Lillestrøm is a pool with wonderful pace, even during low water.Fishing is off both banks for this fast-running pool with a narrow head and a shallow, boulder-strewn glide. On the right bank, looking downstream, the fishing is from an island which is intersected by a small stream. A very pretty pool, it is quite narrow and easy to fish off the island side. A beautiful pool, the fly almost fishes itself in the brisk flow. It is also a pool with a track record for holding some very big salmon.
Fishing off the left bank is trickier and involves casting off the rocks which will not suit those unsteady on their feet. Fortunately, the island is accessible in all but the highest water and is quite comfortable to fish.
#5 rohølen
Wading: fishing off bank on both sides easy/difficult
A fantastic pool that has grown in prominence in recent years. A lot of this has to do with improved access to this long pool (around 600 meters plus) which ahs made it fishable on both banks.
Its not a deep pool, on either bank but fish hold in both places and in some places down the middle. A wide pool, to get the best from it, you need to be a decent caster but if you can cast a decent, neat line, its a joy to fish with a great fly swing. Rohølen fishes well from medium/high water down to low and is always worth attention. It is also one of our best spawning pools and being shallow, one where the fish are willing takers. Fishing from the right bank is from the ‘tunnel’ on the far side but we have also cleared an area above, almost up to the island at Lillestrøm, making it a really nice piece of fishing. On the left bank, the fishing is off the rocks. Anyone unsteady on their feet will want to avoid it but for those happy to fish it, it can be a fantastic place.
The pool is shallow almost throughout with the deepest water just at the top of the beat, below the wires. A long cast will hit the stream in the middle and give the fly enough pace to swing propelry in the deeper and quieter water in the edge.
#6 oksøy
A pool that is not renown for holding large numbers of fish but a pool that contains some very big fish, including the estimated 55 pound beast caught by Matt Hayes in 2021. Oksøy is an important pool because it has great pace, especially in low water. When the other pools are starting to falter and suffer from low flows, Oksøy flows beautifully.its hard to fish the fly badly on this pool which is ranked by many as the most scenically attractive on the fishery.
It’s not a deep pool but it has a narrow head and gradually widens throughout its length. the ddeper water can be found under the right bank but nowhere is it deep enough to be troubled by having to fish fast sinking lines. Because of its fabulous, even pace, the fly fishes really well on this underrated pool and there are some nice features in the form of large boulders which are obvious stopping points for travelling fish.
The flow on the pool fishes the fly quickly which is often an advantage on Gaula and leads to more and more aggressive takes. because this is not a high water pool it really comes into its own from the middle of July onwards.
A place to catch a big fish…
#6 kjellfloa
Wading: easy/moderate difficulty bank fishing
Comprising two distinct sections: the run and the rock, Kjellfloa is one of the nicest pools to fish on the river with its shallow to medium depth and beautiful, even flow. The pool starts with a gentle cascade at the head which creates good flow. Below that, the run opens out slightly as it goes, until, as we reach ‘the rock’ at the bottom it is perhaps 70 meters wide. The water for the main part is shallow until the tail of the pool is reached. We call this section the ‘top run’ and because it is shallow it is a great place to catch running fish. with its perfect flow and fly swing, if the fish are running, this is a great place to get a grab!
Below, we find the large boulder at the water’s edge on the far side which is known affectionately as ‘The Rock.’ While one angler fishes the run at the top, the second can wade out a short way from a gravel beach to fish into the deep water surrounding the rock (up to 4 meters deep). The pool deepens and speeds up as the tail is approached making it a pool which has a track record of producing salmon from the very top to the very bottom. The Rock is a renown place for hooking big fish which often attempt to get out of the pool into the raging rapid immediately below. The tail of the pool too, is a hotspot and is a fine place to catch a running fish which drops into a nice pocket on the far side and rests for a few minutes before moving on.
Some battles are won, some lost but your heart always skips a beat when you fish Kjellfloa, having experienced the sheer power of a big salmon hooked there, regardless of the outcome.
