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A February Afternoon.....

Was it a special season, the 2010 one? No, but still, when we closed the door behind us for the last time this year, it felt again like saying goodbye to something you love or at least have special feelings for.

What is it that makes this country so special?   

Let us start by saying that just a few countries can offer the attraction of  Fjords.

The saltwater that often reaches far inside the coast line is enclosed by snow capped mountains on the background and lush green vegetation in front. Sometimes the tide comes in or goes out via a narrow land opening thus producing a “straumen”, where at times the water boils like a fast flowing river. Saltstraumen is the world’s most well known, however with the Inderoy Straumen one being second.

It is also fascinating to observe the so called local climate. Already 35 years ago, I considered it to be strange that I went fishing just 10 km from the family’s campsite leaving them in bright sunshine and getting pouring rain myself all day.

,Vangshylla is just such a place. Have a look at the weather given from Trondheim and you can almost bet on it that Vangshylla has less rain, if not at all, and often 3-4 degrees higher temperatures. Other striking things are the white nights in summer. Imagine reading the paper outside or having a barbecue at midnight and what about the impressive Northern light in autumn and winter. You can always expect them but to predict them is something else . Animal life is just another big hit. The porpoise usually swim, elegantly, dolphin like, in front of our garden. But they can also chase a school of baitfish or even bigger fish which turns the water into foam. Not to mention the orca’s that now and then visit the fjord….

In late spring birds, mostly sea gulls, gather on the island some 100 m from our backyard. Great observing them from the terrace. They start making their nests and when the breeding begins all kinds of predators seem interested. Mink arrive swimming and Osprey attack from above while the poor colony of gulls only makes a lot of noise while flying around the attacker in order to see their eggs being stolen.

A bit later, the Eagle, having her youngsters about the same period as the gulls, keeps on being a thread until the young gulls are almost old enough to be on their own. On many afternoons we may have the sight of an osprey with a gull young in its claws. Another late afternoon ride into Mosvik area will then also give a possibility to meet elk mother and calf while bathing in a hidden lake. Cranes can be seen in the meadows and shortly before getting back to our house a few local elk and deer take profit of the fresh young grass only 2 minutes walk from our place. Coming home, the sinking sun produces unbelievable skies. The supper has to wait. Don’t be surprised to meet a fox, mink or badger if you forgot to remove your fish-offal.

Shall I continue? If not for health reasons walks from A to A never had my enthusiasm. Everything is so common, so well known. But not here. First of all there are various ways to go from A to A, all very different. Sometimes quite in the forest, sometimes along the coast, sometimes climbing and descending steep hills with an ever changing vegetation. From the wild strawberries and the lily-of –the-valley to chanterelles and other edible mushrooms or all kinds of berries, wild raspberries, often favourite amongst others like blueberries, cloudberries and cranberries.  For free. You only walk a bit and pick them. Nobody argues the strawberry, the best in the world. 4-6 weeks later than in Holland etc. the Norwegian strawberry enjoys 24 hrs of often sunny daylight. It is not necessary, it is almost a shame, to eat them with extra sugar. Not quite cheap, but real nature. Delicious.

Then there is the Fjord, a rather sheltered sea arm. Inviting for a boat ride in order to find out the fishing eagle’s nest or just to see what is behind the next corner. Those keen on fresh fish will have no problems to catch every days meal. Regarding fish, indeed, this was a special season, both in fresh and salt water.

Within 1 hr drive you will find salmon rivers like Stjordalselva, Verdalselva, Stordalselva, Nordalselva, Rissaelva, Argardselva and Oyensaa. Gaula, Namsen and Bjora will take ½ hr more. They all had a tremendous season, mainly because of steady water levels. Gaula had around 40 tons of caught Salmon but even the cosy 7 km long Argard/Oyensaa had almost 4 tons in just 2 months. But even if I had, in too little time, my share of caught Salmon, our biggest 2010 discovery turned out to be a terrific Trout stream, completely in the middle of nowhere.

April and May showed good catches of Cod and Flounder. June gave unbelievable numbers of Cod and Coalfish simply using a Shad. Then fishing as often slowed down a bit towards the end of July. However before and after these mostly hot dog days the Fjord was very generous with August to September turning out to be top with monster coal fish often going over 20 lbs. Also in this period some Halibut and very big Leng up to 75 lbs were caught

For bank fishermen using bait the next coming cold months offers best chances with bigger fish swimming just under the coast line. Then Straumen is the place to be for really big Cod.

Should the dog days give a bit slower fishing, swimming in the fjord nowadays is then quite well possible.

Late July also gives the opportunity to visit legendary Stiklestad, 30 min drive, where Spillet om Kongen Olav , a spectacular open air theatre together with very good music will bring you back into the year 1030. An absolute must.

A must is also the daytrip to Verrabotn( pick your own delicious mussels, but check mattilsynet website before)- Rakvag ( Bergen in a nutshell)- Afjord( see jumping Salmon in Stovelfossen)- Osen ( open sea skjaeren )- Namdalseid( fantastic plateaus) – Steinkjer(shopping)- Vangshylla.

Further we really enjoyed using our mountain bikes , even if we have to admit that every now and then it was to steep to cycle.

Children had a gorgeous time in the Children’s playhouse or by using the rubber boat in the shallow waters in front of our garden. 

Wim’s 9 lbs Wild Salmon June 2010

So, you think we have just enjoyed our holidays. Don’t bet on it. Some very high, dangerous trees behind the garage had to be cleared away. A very difficult job. The basement in the main house was renovated. New bedrooms, new living room, new bathroom , extra window in the smallest bedroom, tiles and floor heating, new electricity wires. Seasonal intensive house painting, cleaning and preparing for winter. Cleaning , servicing boats including installation of a brand new 25 hp four stroke electrically started engine for our Uttern 4612 boat. Garden. 

Man, we were glad when the job was done on our last day in Norway. Finally holidays.

Wim.

In 2010, we have renovated our appartment under our villa. It has turned into a cosy place with electric floor heating installed. All the bedrooms now have outside windows. The bathroom has also been completely renovated.

Our Uttern 4612 boat has a completely new 25 hp, four stroke, electrically started engine instead of the rather low powered 15 hp Suzuki engine. You can now catch the fish even faster!  

People have been very satisfied and sent us lovely reactions. They have seen lots of elk, deer, small mammals, sea eagle, foxes etc.

We had good weather for much of July and August and even at the beginning of October we experienced very nice weather with temperatures of 25C on the terrace. Fortunately enough, our place is very well sheltered against northern winds that seemed to prevail this season.

Fishing was extremely good. I, personally, was pleased with a perfect Atlantic Salmon season.Unfortunately, Marlies and I could not be around during a part of the summer. That’s also why we could not help everybody to a succesful fishing story. Our guests caught lots of good cod especially around Ytteroy.

Ytteroy was also a fantastic place for very large coalfish, often around 25 lbs casting 50gr white large shads, especially from August onwards. From April until May, fishing for bottom fish like Flounder up to 6 lbs worked out well. Those going for specimen fish also had their stories with Halibutt up to 88 lbs and Leng up to 75 lbs.  

Thank you for having been our guests.

Wim 

PS Looking forward to another good 2011 season.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Let's catch some fish!