The Norwegian Flyfishers Club (NFC) is located near the village of Støren, in the middle of Norway, only a 45-minute drive from Trondheim. The Trondheim Fjord is one of the most well-protected fjords in all Norway and this is in part, the reason why Gaula salmon have the opportunity to grow to such a large average size. What makes NFC unique is their diverse selection of fishing beats in the middle and lower sections of the famous Gaula River, which offers visiting anglers their best chance at quality fishing throughout the season, regardless of water conditions.

In June 2012 Per Arneberg took over the ownership of NFC, and Enrico Cristiani took over the management. Both men have been avid fishermen from a young age and between the two of them they have fished the Gaula for 20+ years, as well as many of the finest fly fishing rivers in Norway, Scotland, Russia, Iceland and the United States. As the new NFC management team, Per and Enrico have exciting plans for the future operation that will include continuing NFC’s important 20+ years of salmon conservation projects. Cumulatively these actions have turned the Gaula into one of the finest places to fish for large wild Atlantic salmon in Norway today.

Flowing over 145 km from its headwaters in the high mountains near the village of Holtalen to where it joins the sea in the Trondheim Fjord, the Gaula is a wild and un-dammed system that has avoided hydroelectric development. As such it has highly variable water levels which provide seasoned anglers with a varied and ever-changing set of fishing challenges. Second only to the massive Tana system in catch rate, the Gaula is one of the most consistently productive salmon rivers in all Norway. In the early season fish often average over 20 pounds and fish of 30 and forty pounds are not uncommon. This is beautiful, wild and challenging river that offers serious angler the shot at a true fish of a lifetime.

Following the Gaula River regulations, NFC operates a 24-hour a day fishing rotation. This rotation is broken down into four 6-hour sessions per beat and two fishermen fish each beat at a time. The Gaula is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the region. To accommodate for the wide variation in flows, the NFC rotation has beats which fish well in all water conditions. We recommend consulting with NFC staff and guides upon your arrival to maximize your fishing week in terms of prioritizing the most productive beats during that week. The NFC works with a team of very competent professional guides who are all accomplished fly fishermen, speak English and are always ready to help.

The most popular beats are between Kotsøy and Kvål. It is an exclusive fishery where pairs of fishers move through a large number of excellent and varied pools in a rotation of 6 hours. During the 6 hours the beat is exclusively allocated to this pair of fishermen.

The NFC beats on the Gaula are fly fishing only. For visitors wanting a broad spectrum experience, and with advance notice, a guided trout trip into several of the beautiful, idyllic mountain lakes around Støren, can be organized by NFC. Additionally the Trondheim Fjord is not far away, and offers both spin and fly fishing opportunities for a variety of smaller ocean fish from either a boat or the bank.

Guides, while not required, are recommended for all first-time visitors to the NFC. Because the Gaula is a wide, untamed river with frequently changing conditions, the best way to maximize your chances of catching a fish is to employ a guide. Whether you would like a guide only for the first day or two to introduce you to the river and how each pool fishes, or for a full week, NFC is happy to meet your needs. Their guides are some of the most experienced in the industry and have an intimate knowledge of not only the Gaula River and its ecology, but of salmon behavior and proper gear selection.

The guides are there to help anglers select and set up gear, teach how to fish specific pools, and offer any needed casting instruction. They will also provide lunch and hot drinks riverside. Guiding happens 8 hours a day and the hours of guiding can be discussed and decided upon arrival between clients and their guide depending on river conditions and rotation schedule. The guides always work hard to help their clients catch fish and will very often, upon agreement, guide for more than 8 hours a day, but please take that into consideration in the guide’s gratuity.

In 2013 Norwegian Flyfishers Club opened its new NFC Lodge and welcome center which is located at the Rogstadmoen Farm (approximately 8 km upstream from the village of Støren). This lodge now serves as the new central meeting point, dining facility, fly shop and bar for the NFC. This new gathering point will allow NFC to provide guests with an all-around greater quality of service, and to help ensure the best possible fishing experience on the Gaula.

In 2014 an additional accommodation wing was added to the lodge, offering capacity for up to 14 fishermen in a variety of single and double rooms and suites. With this addition, a wellness center with sauna and a massage room was also added.

Lunch and dinner is available at the lodge, however, both lunch and dinner will also be available as a river-picnic, which can either be picked up at the lodge, or shuttled to the clients riverside.

Trondheim offers many cultural and tourist attractions, as well as good shopping opportunities. There are also good bathing beaches situated at the head of the Trondheim fjord, or at the monks island “Munkholmen”. The cultural heritage site and mining town of Røros is always worth a visit. The area surrounding the Gaula also offers great hiking and mountain sightseeing. The local tourist office in Storen is always ready to help.

2023 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

Custom packages, rates average $950 to $1,150 per day

Included: Single room accommodations at the lodge, all meals and beverages including soft drinks, beer and wine, guided fishing, state fishing license, equipment disinfection, rental car.

Not Included: Airfare to/from Trondheim, accommodations and meals in Trondheim, staff and guide gratuities.

Species: Atlantic salmon

Season: June 1 - August 31

Capacity: 18 anglers