Chalkstreams in Hampshire

"Gotland Island: Sweden’s Ultimate Baltic Sea Fly Fishing Adventure"

Nestled in the heart of the Baltic Sea, Gotland is a dream destination for fly anglers, offering breathtaking landscapes and thrilling catches like perch and sea trout. Each season brings its own magic—from late summer’s explosive perch action to winter’s trophy sea trout challenges.

Special thanks to our Swedish fly fishing expert Robin for sharing these insights and stunning visuals!

Late Summer & Autumn: Perch Feeding Frenzy
As summer fades, Gotland’s harbors come alive with aggressive perch chasing herring. Cast baitfish imitations for heart-pounding strikes—watching these predators ambush your fly is pure adrenaline.

Autumn’s Hidden Gems: River Perch
By mid-autumn, perch migrate into streams and rivers, hunting smaller prey. Fish scenic waters with baitfish patterns—just ensure you’ve secured a license via iFiske.se.

Spring Perch Revival
Post-winter, warming waters awaken perch. Experiment with flies ranging from tiny nymphs to oversized pike patterns as these fish regain their vigor.

Gotland’s Crown Jewel: Sea Trout
With 80km of pristine coastline, Gotland is a sea trout mecca. Its compact size means prime spots are never far—just a short drive away.

Autumn Sea Trout Migration
A true angler’s test! Target trout moving shoreward to spawn with wooly buggers, shrimp, and baitfish flies for unforgettable battles.

Winter’s Trophy Trout
Shallow waters (even 30cm deep!) hold hungry sea trout by day. Sight-fish near rocks and seaweed, where they devour gammarus and shrimp—your best shot at a fly-caught giant.

Spring’s Unpredictable Challenge
Adapt or go home! Spring trout feast on everything from gammarus to ragworms, demanding sharp skills and creativity. Outsmarting them is the ultimate reward.

Featured Catches:

    "Gotland Island: Sweden’s Ultimate Baltic Sea Fly Fishing Adventure"

  • Perch (year-round dynamism)
  • Sea Trout (Baltic’s silver ghosts)

Gotland isn’t just fishing—it’s an obsession. 馃嚫馃嚜

"Norway鈥檚 Hidden Gem: The Otra River 鈥?A Fisherman鈥檚 Paradise & Nature鈥檚 Masterpiece"

Flowing through Southern Norway, the Otra River stretches 245km, ranking as the country鈥檚 8th longest river. This breathtaking waterway winds alongside Rv 9, eventually merging into the sea near Kristiansand, the vibrant capital of Southern Norway.

From raging whitewater rapids to serene lakes, the Otra offers diverse landscapes and world-class fishing. The lower 16km is a hotspot for migratory Atlantic salmon, sea trout, wild brown trout, and European freshwater eel鈥攚ith 6,537kg of fish caught in 2014 alone, 94% being wild salmon.

Beyond Vennesla, where migratory fish meet an artificial barrier, the river transforms into a chain of interconnected lakes and streams, teeming with wild brown trout. While most are small, their sheer numbers make every cast exciting!

A Sustainable Fishing Revolution

In June 2023, the Otra Fishing Association partnered with Fishby to introduce a "Smart Fishing License", granting access to 180km of pristine waters in Setesdalen Valley鈥攆rom Hartevatn in the north to Kilefjorden in the south (excluding migratory species).

Unique Species & Hidden Giants

"Norway鈥檚 Hidden Gem: The Otra River 鈥?A Fisherman鈥檚 Paradise & Nature鈥檚 Masterpiece"

  • Wild brown trout dominate, but elusive American brook trout lurk beneath.
  • Average catches weigh 300g (戮lb), but monsters up to 8kg (17.5lbs) surprise anglers.
  • Byglandsfjorden鈥檚 Bleka鈥攁 rare dwarf salmon鈥攊s a prized catch despite its small size (rarely exceeding 250g).

Fishing Rules & Tips

馃帲 Licenses: Buy digital (Fishby.no) or physical (local campsites). Youth under 16 fish free!
馃挵 Fees: Day (NOK 75) | Week (NOK 200) | Season (NOK 500)
馃帲 Gear: AFTMA 3-6 rods, float/intermediate lines. No live bait! (Penalties apply.)
鈿狅笍 Safety: Watch for sudden water surges near dams during rains.

Two Rare Treasures: Marble Trout & Bleka

馃敼 Marble Trout 鈥?A striking hybrid of brown trout & brook trout, found only in Evje. Some reach 500g!
馃敼 Bleka 鈥?A landlocked dwarf salmon, nearly wiped out by dams & acid rain in the 1900s. Conservation efforts now aim to revive this cultural & culinary icon.

Why Visit?

  • Stunning scenery with ever-changing waterscapes.
  • Guaranteed catches in trout-rich zones.
  • Exclusive species found nowhere else in the world.

Cast your line into Norway鈥檚 best-kept secret鈥攚here adventure, tradition, and nature collide! 馃帲鉁?/p>

(Featured species: Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout, Sea Trout)

"Zemmbach River: An 18km Alpine Fly-Fishing Paradise in Austria’s Zillertal Valley"

Nestled in the breathtaking Zillertal Alps at elevations of 800-1800 meters, the 18km Zemmbach River winds through dramatic mountain scenery, fed by crystal-clear alpine streams and culminating at the stunning Schlegeisspeicher reservoir.

Anglers will find diverse fishing experiences: tranquil dry-fly sections teeming with trout, challenging rapids perfect for Czech nymphing, and even bellyboat fishing (with motor rentals available at Zum Schneider) on the reservoir.

Fishing permits cost €35/day, plus a one-time €15 Tyrolean fishing license valid for two weeks across the region. For multi-day trips, hiring a local guide is highly recommended to maximize your catch.

Target Species:

  • Wild Brook Trout
  • Native Brown Trout
  • "Zemmbach River: An 18km Alpine Fly-Fishing Paradise in Austria's Zillertal Valley"

  • Vibrant Rainbow Trout

A hidden gem where adventure meets serenity, Zemmbach offers world-class fishing amid Austria’s most spectacular landscapes.

"Ribnik River: A Fly Fisher’s Paradise of Crystal Waters and Trophy Grayling"

Nestled in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ribnik River is a dream destination for fly fishers craving serenity and pristine waters. Renowned for its exceptional clarity and thriving fish populations, this river immerses anglers in untouched natural beauty. Home to impressive grayling—often exceeding 50cm—and abundant brown trout, Ribnik delivers unforgettable encounters for enthusiasts.

What truly distinguishes Ribnik is its commitment to sustainable fishing. By limiting daily licenses, the river maintains an uncrowded, tranquil atmosphere. Dry fly fishing reigns supreme here, though nymphing with size 18–24 flies proves equally effective, thanks to the river’s rich insect life and lush underwater vegetation. The clear, structured flows make reading the water effortless, enhancing the thrill of the chase.

"Ribnik River: A Fly Fisher’s Paradise of Crystal Waters and Trophy Grayling"

Flowing gently through the village of Ribnik, the river offers easy wading and breathtaking scenery. Its year-round consistent flow ensures excellent fishing in every season, with the official season spanning April to September. Whether targeting trophy brown trout or testing skills with delicate dry flies, Ribnik promises both challenge and serenity—a rare gem for discerning anglers.

Featured Species:

  • Brown Trout
  • Grayling
  • Rainbow Trout

"Norway’s Wild Trout Paradise: A Fly Fisher’s Dream in Southern Waters"

Norway 🇳🇴
Endless Waters, Abundant Trout

From crystal-clear lakes to rushing rivers, Southern Norway teems with wild trout—most notably the prolific brown trout (Salmo trutta). These waters also host other members of the Salmonidae family, including the vibrant American brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), and the common whitefish (Coregonas lavaretus). But the real treasures lie in the Otra River, home to two rare gems: the Bleka, a relic landlocked Atlantic salmon from the last ice age, and the Otra’s ‘marble trout,’ a striking variant of brown trout with Balkan-inspired markings.

A Hidden World of Wild Fish

Norway’s landscape is defined by water—glacial streams, mirror-like lakes, and roaring rivers—each a thriving habitat for wild trout. Southern Norway is no exception, offering anglers a chance to cast into pristine waters where trout strike eagerly. While the average size may be modest due to the region’s geology (low pH limits insect growth), patient anglers can still land trophy-sized predators lurking beneath the surface. Fish over 4-6kg are caught annually, but even a 1kg trout is a rewarding prize.

"Norway's Wild Trout Paradise: A Fly Fisher's Dream in Southern Waters"

The Thrill of the Catch

Trout here are opportunistic feeders, often rising to surface flies with explosive takes. Though only 10% of their feeding happens at the surface, a well-presented dry fly—like a skittering caddis—can trigger heart-stopping strikes. With minimal fishing pressure, vast wilderness, and diverse waterways, Southern Norway is a fly fisher’s paradise. Whether targeting acrobatic brown trout or the elusive Bleka, every cast holds the promise of adventure.

Species Spotlight

  • Arctic Char
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout