2009-02-18
Everybody gets trout in River Jølstra!
My small dry fly sets like a feather on the current ridge. I still glimpse the broken surface where a mountain trout just kissed the surface. Will it be tempted again? The answer is instant, and so is my counter strike.
I am located in the outlet of River Jølstra, with Lake Jølstravatnet spreading out before me. No Norwegian Lake contains more trout, with an annual catch of 20 tons. The major part of this amount is taken in nets, but tons are also caught by live bait, spinner, spoons and flies, especially in proximity to the hundreds of inlet streams and the major outlet, River Jølstra.
Especially after rain, when the creeks swell, the trout seeks to these minor inlets to feast on the abundant food contained in the floodwater. I’m spooked to consciousness by a kilos trout leaping into the air as it strikes my gear so hard the reel whines. A small mistake now and the battle will be lost. But my fine gear is working skilfully in trembling hands. The well conditioned trout is secured and landed.
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