Week 26, Irish week.

This week at Olderø Flyfishing Lodge was, as tradition dictates, our Irish week—but this year it came with a distinct Japanese touch. Familiar faces from Ireland returned to the river, bringing plenty of laughter, stories, and optimism, while our Japanese guest added his own enthusiasm, precision, and passion for Atlantic salmon fishing, creating great atmosphere at the lodge.

As the forecast had predicted, heavy rain arrived during the start of the week, bringing a big rise in the river. Unfortunately, the heavy rainfall made fishing conditions difficult throughout much of the week. That meant tactics had to be changed. With the river rising and carrying more colour, anglers focused on heavier tackle, larger flies, and fishing the slower seams and softer water where salmon were more likely to hold.

By midweek, when landing a salmon seemed almost impossible, Bill proved that it certainly wasn't. He hooked and landed a magnificent male salmon measuring 96 cm and weighing 10 kg—a fish that lifted everyone's spirits and showed that persistence and adapting to the conditions could still be rewarded.

With the river steadily dropping the fish got more willing to take our flies but never really with the end result that we were looking for. Nick got very close but had to see himself defeated after a long fight by one of the really BIG Lakselv salmon. 

Conditions for next week looks better and we are looking forward to welcome our next group of guests to the lodge.