CONTENTS 4/5
JUMPING JACK FLASH
6/7
NORDIC GUIDING
8/9
ON YOUTUBE
10/13 30 FACTS ABOUT MAY FLIES 14/17 FEELING BLUE 18/23 HARDANGERVIDDA 24/27 LESLY’S SLOVENIE 28/29 CAST AWAY TRAVEL 30/33 DOWN UNDER 34/37 PASSION WITH CHELSEY 38
KVENNAN CAMPING
39
RITT MAILING
40
SPECIAL THANKS TO
41
NEXT ISSUE
Photography & Art work: Peter Sikking www.isee.photos Published by: CAFF Concept & design: Downey Young & Cooper downeyyoungcooper.com Editor: Dr Henk Verhaar
Jumping Jack Flash I remember my first trout. A brown trout. I remember the magic of the moment. The surprise of actually catching one. It was not a big fish. Maybe not even 30 cm. But it was a strong, jumping fighter. And he or she already displayed all the tricks that I would enjoy so much in fishing for trout until this day. I love trout. In all their forms. From sea trout to marble trout. In my opinion a day spent fishing for trout, regardless of whether you actually catch one, is always a golden day. And of course I am not the only one who thinks fly fishing for trout is one of the nicest things you can do on this beautiful planet. I like you to meet some fly anglers from Canada, Australia, Norway and Slovenia. They are, just like me, crazy about trout. Peter Sikking
Link to whoopi and Jumping Jack Flash
GUIDING GURU OF THE NORTH Marius Tollan Sometimes you meet someone who is really worth meeting. Who is not only really skilled but is also modest about it. I’d like to introduce to you Marius Tollan. Skilled craftsman, flyfisher, flytier and Northern Guide. And because he is too modest to do so himself, I will gladly speak for him. Marius is living an outdoor life. Living besides the mighty river Glomma in the eastern part of Norway. Calling Marius passionate about flyfishing is an understatement. Some people believe he has only one love, and although I’m not entirely sure, I think that is not far from the truth Glomma area Many people will know the river Glomma, even if only the part where river keeper and friend Hein van Aar tends to the flyfishing zone near Kvennan camping. Saying that Marius knows the river Glomma is far besides the truth, he IS the river. And not only this river. In a radius of 40 km there are at least 6 more rivers that are not only totally different from the magnificent Glomma, but more than worthy of casting a fly on. In fact, there might even be a chance that you will be traveling to this part of Norway not for the Glomma but primarily for these rivers, and consider the Glomma as just another river to include into your trip, instead of the other way around. Nordic Guiding Marius has had almost 30 years to study the rivers he guides on. 30 years of learning where, when and how to fish and which fly to use. There is honestly nobody who knows more about this area than Marius Tollan. Visit Marius on www. nordicguiding.com and find out for yourself.
3 Kick ass movies you have to check out 1 2 3
THE MAYFLY:
30 FASCINATING MAYFLY FACTS
1. Mayfly is known by several names. In United States, people call them Canadian Soldiers. In Michigan and Canada, they are known by the names fishflies and shadflies. In United Kingdom, they are known by the name Up-Winged flies. They also go by the names salmon flies and June bugs. 2. In case you have noticed in fact one, we did not mention the ‘genus’ and the ‘family’ they belong to. That’s because they come from 400 different genera and 42 different families with a total of 3,000 different species! 3. Mayflies are really really ancient. That’s the reason why they are put in the division called ‘Palaeoptera’, which is basically a very ancient group of insects. 4. Mayflies have been around for some 350 million years. This means that they existed even before the dinosaurs came to existence and they survived the K-T Instinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. 5. A coupe of traits that tell scientists that Mayflies were among world’s most primitive flying insects are: They have long tails – a trait of ancient insects. They are incapable of folding their wings flat over their abdomen – another trait of ancient insects. 6. Nymphs are the immature Mayflies. They are also known by the name Naiads. The Nymphs have elongated cylindrical bodies. The bodies are little bit flattened. The Nymphs go through various stages. At each stage, the size of the body increases. 7. Nymphs are aquatic and that live under water for nearly 2 to 3 years. During this time, they undergo about 20 instars or transformation phases.
8. In the Nymphal stage (basically the larval stage), the Mayflies have very robust legs that are fully covered with hair, spines or bristles. They also have gills designed for breathing under water. 9. In the Nymphal stage, they eat tiny pieces of already dead animals and plants. They also feed on tiny living plants under water. 10. When the Nymphs emerge from water, they get into a stage known as Subimago. This is a subadult phase where the Mayflies will have fully functional wings, will be fully terrestrial but, they will not reach the sexual maturity 11. However, in the Subimago stage, the functional wings remain partially cloudy with minute hair fringes on them. The genitalia, legs and eyes are not fully developed. They cannot fly properly and they will not have distinctive color patters for attracting mates.
12. Once the Mayflies reach the Subimago stage, they will undergo one final molting to become sexually mature adults. The Subimago stage doesn’t last for long. So some species, the Subimago stage lasts for only a few minutes while for others, it may last for 24 hours. 13. The adult Mayflies (known as Imago) will have large compound eyes. The adults will have flexible and short antennae and will also have two or three tails that are pretty long. They will have two pairs of wings with both pair being membranous with extensive vein covering. The wings no longer remain cloudy at this stage and become transparent. 14. One of the most interesting features at this stage is that the adult Mayflies have one pair of large wings – the first pair of the pair on the front. The second pair of wings are small and in some species, they are vestigial. 15. Adult Mayflies do not have a well-defined functional mouth. This means that they cannot eat. Simply put, adult Mayflies do not eat. They live for a very short span and their only purpose of survival at this stage is reproduction. Once they reproduce, they die. Some species will last only for 24 hours in the adulthood (including both Subimago and Imago phases). The shortest lifespan is seen in the species known as Dolania americana where the adult females survive for just 5 minutes.
16. Reproduction in Mayflies is pretty unique. They insects themselves are very unique in their adulthood. Each individual will have a pair of sex organs. 17. Adult female Mayflies will have two sexual openings known as gonopores. The males will have two organs that resemble penis. They are known as aedeagi. 18. The adult males will fly in swarms in what is known as mating flight. They fly above the water surface (just a few meters above). This mating flight is basically their nuptial or courtship dance. When a female flies above the swarm, one of the adult males will grasp/clasp the female. 19. Once the female is clasped by a male, the two will move away and mate while the other males will keep performing the nuptial dance. The copulation or mating will not last for more than a few seconds. 20. Once the females are impregnated, they will lay eggs. Just how quickly they will lay eggs will depend on their lifespan. They will lay somewhere between 400 and 3,000 eggs and then die. 21. When it is time for laying eggs, the females will either drop the eggs on water surface or they will fly in such a way that they will dip their abdomen tip in water in successions. Each time she touches the water surface, she will lay eggs in batches. 22. There are some species in which females will simply stand next to the water and deposit all the eggs in water at one go. 23. There are other species in which the females will totally submerge themselves in water to lay eggs. These females will find crevices to lay eggs or will lay the eggs among underwater plants. 24. Whatever format is selected, the eggs eventually sink in water. That is where the larvae are born. The incubation time for the eggs depend on many factors and one of those facts is temperature. The incubation time can be a few days to a whole year. 25. Once the larvae are born, their growth rate will also be determined by water temperature and the surrounding environment. The larvae undergo anywhere between 10 and 50 molts before reaching the Subimago phase. 26. Mayflies emerge in great numbers (hundreds of thousands) from under water from Spring to Autumn. The intensity of light above water surface is one of the determining factors for their emergence timing. 27. Only a few species emerge during May and this is why they are known as Mayflies. However, there is no reason for them to be called so became many other species emerge in June or other months. 28. Because Mayflies are short-lived, they are collectively known as Ephemeroptera (it is the order and the scientific name). Ephemeroptera is basically derived from Ephemeros – a Greek word meaning ‘lasting a day’. This is the reason why Mayflies are also known as one-day insects or one-day flies. 29. Mayflies can only survive in clean water environments. They cannot live in pollution. The presence or absence of Mayfly larvae is an important indicator of water pollution. 30. Mayflies – in all three phases (Nymphs, Subimago and Imago) – are important sources of food for other animals. In Nymph stage, they are one of the most favorite foods of various fish and amphibians. In the later two stages, they are eaten by mammals, rodents, small reptiles, toads, newts and frogs. Special thanks to factslegend
ALL FLIES TIED BY M.TOLLAN
ROYAL FLY FISHING
With Espen Brask Nordfonn Blue mountains, blue waters and if the weather is nice, arctic blue skies complete the picture. Living in this part of the world gives the expression ‘feeling blue’ a totally different meaning. Welcome to the southwest of Norway. It is the place I call home. Sea trout brown trout and salmon Flyfishing on the southwest coast of Norway is something special. Hundreds of small islands surrounded by the ocean. Further inland: long deep fjords and high mountains. And fish. Lots of fish! Living on these islands offers unique fishing possibilities; from fishing for brown trout in mountain lakes to fishing for seatrout and giant atlantic salmon on the many shores and in the fjord rivers. Luxury problem When conditions are right I call some of my buddies and ask whether they want to join me for a dry fly session. We then fish for 2-3 hours, catch some nice brownies and then jump in the car for a 10 minute drive to the shore where we change rods and are ready to catch some silver bullets. This is what I like about this region. You are never limited to one type of flyfishing.
This year This spring (2018) was unusually warm and dry, causing lakes and rivers to heat up and making the fishing that much harder. It’s conditions like these that makes this area so special; multiple options. Long daylight, long fishing nights From the end of May through the end of July, when the sun is up for almost 20 hours a day, the best time to fish for trout is late in the evening and early morning. The feeling of catching a nice gold-collared trout after a slow warm day is incredible. The smell of a summer night, a small fire on the river or lake shore and the company of some good friends, it doesn’t get much better than that!
VISIT ESPEN ON YOUTUBE AND INSTAGRAM
Pictures taken by me and my friend Tor Harald Rysjedal
East and South
HARDANGERVIDDA The nature reserve Hardangervidda is located between Oslo and Bergen and stretches from east to west. It extends to the north until the town of Geilo, and is easily as large as the entire province of Utrecht (The Netherlands). Hardangervidda is incredibly rough and, to be honest, not for everyone. From the perspective of the adventurous fly angler, it is a must. There are still totally unexplored fly fishing possibilities. Unfortunately those places are often a day’s or more walking from a (paved) road and only accessible for an experienced hiker (carrying a full backpack and a float tube).
HARDANGERVIDDA EAST MANAGING WATER Upper Numedal Fjellstyre (Board of Public Lands) manages the fishing in 57 water systems within a 500 ha area in East Hardangervidda. These public lands are centrally located in Hardangervidda and border the Telemark county in the south and Hordaland county in the west. The Board of Public Lands’ primary focus is to manage usufructuary rights and business in the local community, while safeguarding the local community and society at large through conservational and recreational interests. FLY FISHING If you want to find some of the finest trout that eastern Norway has to offer you can try Geitvassdalen. This water system has a very healthy population of wild trout, more than healthy enough for one to land in the frying pan without making you feel bad about it. Getting here is a bit challenging however, as it takes roughly 3-4 hours to hike in. Most choose to hike in via Mårbu, however you are also able to take a boat from ”Synken”. From Mårbu, take the easiest trail towards ”Rauhelleren”. From here you will eventually make your way to Numedalslågen and Geitvassdalen. If you steer off ohe trail westwards you can find the Fjellstyre cabin Jegerbu or continue to Muran, which is a large stone cabin on the banks of Geitvatnet. There are great fishing spots along (?) the entire length of Numedalslågen, from where it runs out of Lågaros to the lowest section towards Krossvatnet. The fishing license for Hardangervidda East gives the right to fish in all running waters in this area. There are also other options for finding your way to this mecca for trout fishing. Either hiking in from Tinnhølen/Trondsbu southwards or from Solheimstulen in Uvdal. From there you will find another trail which is also bicycle-friendly, and which leads roughly 30 km to the cabin ”Jegerbu”.
for more information visit fishspot here
*BIG ASS TROUT
* 2 kilos of golden yellow trout from a small lake in Hardangervidda.
HARDANGERVIDDA SOUTH
ABOUT OUR CAMP IN THE SOUTH Harda camp is situated in the south of Hardangervidda. Accommodations are situated on the bank of lake Tveiten and are divided into A cabins and A+ cabins. ‘A+’ cabins have their own toilet and shower. ‘A’ cabins do not, but are more rustic and closer to the lake. FISHING The lakes around Camp Harda are easy to access. They hold a good stock of brown trout. In the lake system it is wonderful to fish from a float tube. The tubes provided are ready to go, including flippers. The best time is from the end of June through the end of July.
castawayflyfishing.nl - 0031(0)35 6240016 - info@castawayflyfishing.nl
1 week v.a. 899,-
Hardangervidda ADVENTURE IS JUST ONE CAST AWAY
Hardangervidda: We’ve found a way to enjoy Hardangervidda without the inconveniences. All fly fishing trips we offer have three things in common: GOOD ACCOMMODATION - GOOD FISHING - GOOD FOOD! You have your own chef - own guide and additional a professional photographer. Besides a canoe and a small rowing boat we provide floating tubes. The lake and rivers contain brown trout and wildlife as otters and beavers.
Including: Accommodation - breakfast - lunch dinner - use of belly boat and flippers - rowboat - Canadian canoe - fishing licences- all transport in Norway.
8 dg V.A.
899,castawayflyfishing.nl - 0031(0)35 6240016 - info@castawayflyfishing.nl
HARDANGERVIDDA TRIP SCHEDULE
SUN-DAY 1 afternoon/evening transport Oslo to Harda Camp (4/5 hours) MON-DAY 2 fishing lake Teiven and river shore and belly boat THUE-DAY 3 fishing lakes; kajak rowboat - belly boat WEDN-DAY 4 to the south of Hardangervidda (30 min car) fishing from belly boat THUR-DAY 5 south Hardangervidda + hike to lake 30 min. FRI-DAY 6 free choice SAT-DAY 7 morning from Harda Camp to Oslo
LESLY’S SLOVENIA From the first moment I found the rivers of northwest Slovenia I fell in love with the area surrounding the village of Tolmin. It was the impressive nature, the people, the pristine and wild rivers, the challenging sight fishing and the unique arsenal of fish species that caught me from day one!
MARBLE There is much to tell about the marble trout (S. marmoratus). For me, this beautiful fish is the most rewarding to catch. A decent sized marble trout is not stupid; they are smart and very shy. Catching one takes effort. These fish need to be earned, and will surely not be handed over on a platter.
THE WAY I LIKE IT My personal favorite challenge, sight fishing for marble trout in remote places. The younger, smaller ones are fairly easy to catch because of their aggressive nature. I like to fish for them with dry flies in smaller rivers with a lot of pocket water; I have caught large numbers with this method.
The surroundings themselves in this part of Slovenia ensure a nice experience. The 9 different species of fish that live here top it off nicely, creating something really special and unique. Fly fishing is the only method of fishing allowed. Only a single fly tied on a single barbless hook may be used.
THE CHALLENGE The fish population is large and healthy. Each species has its own place in the river and the best thing is the high concentration of wild fish. Fishing for the wild trout here can be a frustrating challenge. The hunt for spooky wild specimens will definitely make you a better angler.
MARBLE TROUT The Ghost of the river Although it is the most common trout in these waters, catching a good sized marble trout can be seen as a big compliment to your fishing skills. They are more common in remote places with abundant cover. Marble trout are masters of camouflage with their silver, yellow, dark (sometimes almost black) colours and pronounced marble pattern with zebra-like stripes. It is called “the ghost of the river”. Many fishermen only see them when they start swimming towards safety after they missed, and subsequently spooked them. There is a reason for this. It is a far cousin of the brown trout, but with a different and almost uncommon trout behaviour from when they reach the 25cm mark. One of the remarkable things is their constant need to swim, so that flowing water is not particularly important for them. They often reside in places where you would not expect to find trout, hugging the bottom in shallow water that may be far away from the river’s main current.
Dark & Deep They are always in the vicinity of a hiding place; it is what they need most. Dark places in deep pools or with some kind of overhang are their preference. Those dark places are also where they retreat when hooked. These fish don’t jump out of the water during the fight but dive deep and constantly swim towards darkness. They are good, fast, and smart fighters that will try to trick you with unexpected escape methods like rubbing their noses on rocks trying to break your tippet. They can give you the idea that they are beaten and then make another unexpected escape attempt, so fast that something will break in your setup. Be aware of this and expect them not to give up easily. Running after them once hooked is more the rule than the exception. After a release they swim away with rocket speed to the dark place that they love so much.
Lesly Janssen mail: lesly@slo-fly.com www.slo-fly.com
TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2019 CAST AWAY FLY FISHING After a very successful season we continue to bring adventure to fly fishermen all over the world. For 2019 we have two new destinations as well as a special guided trip in the Tolga / Tynset area of Norway. So keep an eye on your mailbox or ask your local fly shop proprietor for more information.
DOWN UNDER With Shane McCutcheon Shane just started his own construction business but whenever he has some spare time you can find him at the Gouldburn river or one of the smaller tributaries.
Upper Goulburn The upper Goulburn valley is a relatively small area that takes in the townships of Alexandra, Thornton and Eildon (Australia) Here the river Goulburn runs through a narrow valley. Height of summer In the height of summer the Goulburn River offers awesome hopper and cicada fishing. Because the Goulburn is a tailwater the flow is always changing. For example if the river is up, it floods the farmland and the trees surrounding the river and this offers exceptional sight fishing with willow grubs. The Goulburn River is one of Australia’s best trout rivers and runs along the northern edge of Thornton. The Rubicon River, one of the finest small streams in the state, hems Thornton in on the south side, before joining the Goulburn a few kilometres downriver. The Steavenson and Taggerty river, about 25km from Thornton, are another two amazing dry fly streams.
FIND SHANE ON INSTAGRAM
PASSION With Chelsey Christy
My name is Chelsey Christy and I am a painter and a fly fishing guide in Denver, Colorado. My husband, also a guide, taught me how to cast a fly rod about 18 months ago. It took me about four days but I finally caught a fish and was completely addicted. We spent the next year and a half fishing as much as we could whenever we could. I have logged around 200 days on the water in that time, cutting my teeth on the infamous South Platte River.
Editor note: check out the nailpolish
Life changing Fly fishing changed my life. In May of 2018 my husband and I went to Guide School and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. I started my first guiding season taking some wonderful people out on the Eagle River, in the Vail Valley, through Minturn Anglers. I also guided trips through their Denver location on my home waters, the South Platte River. It was those first few trips that I realized I was doing exactly what I should be doing. I got to take locals and visitors alike out on the river, teach them how to fish and watch them experience the joy of catching them. I cant tell who gets more excited, me or my clients.Although the original Woolly Bugger pattern was believed to have been created by Russell Blessing, Pennsylvania flytyer as early as 1967 to resemble a hellgrammite, or dobsonfly nymph, its precise origin is unknown, but is clearly an evolution
I love the full immersive experience you get when you are on the river. Being in your waders feeling the river pushing on your legs as you try to match the current and drift of that particular spot. You can hear the birds chirping, trout sipping and fly fishermen hook setting. Its so therapeutic and inspiring. I really enjoy spreading fly fishing to people young and old. Teaching, not only techniques, but how to respect the fish and the river as well. In Colorado, I am usually on the hunt for trout. In the Eagle River you can find Colorado’s state fish, the Greenback Cutthroat. I’ve caught big spawning Brown Trout on the Dream Stream and beautiful Rainbows on the South Platte. If you head into the mountains and fish high alpine streams and lakes you’ll find Brook Trout and native Colorado Cutthroats. I feel very fortunate to live in a state that has some awesome river systems.
Chelsey Christy
A FISHERMEN’S PARADISE * Kvennan camping is situated directly at the 15 km (fly only) stretch. * We have 21 cabins for rent.
* A large and beautiful camping area. * Several outstanding lakes with Grayling, Trout and Pike! TRULY A FISHERMEN’S PARADISE
KVENNANCAMPING.NO - KVENNANCAMPING@GMAIL.COM - 0047 48217014
CONTACT
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
NORDIC GUIDING: MARIUS TOLLAN NORDFONN PRODUCTIONS: ESPEN BRASK NORDFONN
POWERED BY
SLO-FLY: LESLY JANSSEN TROUTONTHEFLY: SHANE MCCUTCHEON CHELSEY CHRISTY: MINTURNANGLERS RITT-MAILING: GILBERT RITTER KVENNAN CAMPING: TOR HENRIK JORDET
D
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C Downey
Young & Cooper