Fishing - Give your dream a chance! 

One of the perhaps most talked about lakes around Geilo is Skjerja. This lake is located in the east of Hardangervidda and some would still claim that the lake is one of the country's best trout lakes. If you want to try your luck at fishing, Skjerja is approx. 4.6 km and 1 hour's walk from Tuva Turisthytte. The path in is well signposted and it is manageable for all age groups. 

Much of the reason for Skjerja's popularity is the size and quality of the fish. Here, as in many other waters on the Hardangervidda, the trout enjoy shield crayfish, marflo and a rich insect life. The crustaceans in particular are loved by the Trout and they help to give the well-known red color to the meat. Skjerja can be generous and every year fish weighing over 3 kilos are caught, and with an average weight of just under a kilo, the water has attracted fishermen from all over the world. Skjerja is a relatively large mountain lake with bays, islets and reefs that give the water character and not least challenging fishing. 

The big trout have not come all by themselves. Skjerja has been cultivated and cared for by Geilo - Hunter & Fishing Association for many years. Their work has brought life back to the water and not least ensured that the blacklisted minnows have not been able to establish themselves further. Skjerja is a treasure chest and if you find the key, you can make your dream of the big gold-glistening mountain trout come true.

Give your dream a chance

Skjerja really gives the big fish dream a chance. The largest fish here have been caught on otters or by rod fishing. However, if you are a fly fisherman, don't despair. It is possible to catch the fish from land, and with a boat there are real opportunities to succeed.

The entire lake is fishable, but there are of course some fishing spots that have proven to be better than others. With regard to the fishing spots, these cannot be mentioned, but if you stop by the cabin on the north side of the lake and talk to Ivar Sygnabere, you should not ignore that you will get some good advice with safe coating in the huge plank fish that hang on the cabin wall. 

Not many people know Skjerja like Ivar. As a dedicated angler, he has had many trips here since Geilo Hunting and Fishing Association took over as a tenant in 1967. He has also gained several years as a watchman for the local association.

 

Ivar Sygnabere

Ivar is an energetic person with a good voice and quick lines, and despite his advanced age, he is still to be found in here as a guardian and trapper. Ivar is the very symbol of Skjerja, he loves to be in here and never gets bored. Living so close to the plateau for long periods of time has given him great impressions and room for reflection. "You live on that for a long time," he says.
Ingvar happily tells stories about the ups and downs of water. He has seen most of it in here and will never forget the fish his brother caught on otters. It weighed a whopping 4.2kg and is a reminder that what Skjerja can deliver from the top shelf. 
 

Fisk

Stop the spread of Minticulus

 

Minnows are small fish belonging to the carp family that do not grow larger than 15 cm. It is not good to eat and neither is there any fish to fish for. The fish is found in almost all of southern Norway and is basically a fish that we do not want to have. The minnows multiply quickly and become sexually mature early. In many places, it has outcompeted the trout and which has resulted in poor growth and quality for the local fish and fisheries. It must be said that if you manage to keep the population at a level so that the species and food balance in the water is good, minnows are a good source of nutrition for trout and other fish, which thus provide good growth and quality. The problem is that this work is unbelievably demanding, but in Skjera they have largely succeeded, something that should not be taken for granted. 

Some fishing tips

Weather 

There are always good fishing villages. This is the only thing you need to deal with no matter where in the country you are. So forget chopping tables, wind direction and moon phases. Something you should think about, however, is how the weather affects the fish's positions and movements. The variables are many and a deeper understanding of this is only gained through experience. That said, you can smile a little extra if the weather shows cloudy and wind from everything except the north when you visit Skjera. If, on the other hand, there is sun from a cloudless sky and little wind, just pack your sunscreen and apply patience. However, if you are going out fishing on sunny and calm days, look for shade, deeper 
parties, currents or fish early morning or late afternoon. 

Winds from the south and east are best

We have all heard that north winds result in poorer fishing, but that is not the main rule in all waters. If the wind blows from the north/north-east in Skjerja, you will probably have to apply a little extra patience, but there is no rule without exceptions. Another thing to note is that on the plateau, the weather conditions change quickly and this can quickly become the trigger for the fish to bite.  

Especially freshwater and high mountains are quite susceptible to this myth. The north wind is colder than a second wind direction and negatively affects the prey that the fish eat. The prey decreases in activity level, it is almost as if they go into hibernation when it gets colder.

You often hear about short and intense chopping periods. This is usually a result of wind/temperature changes that affect the food supply to the fish.
A southerly or easterly gentle breeze is what you most want when you are on Skjerja, but once you have taken the trip, do not let the weather put a stop to the fishing, it is usually just a little more challenging.

The water level

At high water levels, the big fish stand in the pools and deep channels. These can be difficult to find, but if you hit them, there is a good chance of catching fish. At low water levels, the fish are often more spread out as long as the water temperature does not force them to water layers with cooler and more oxygen-rich water.  One of Skjerja's surest indicators of good fishing is that the so-called "whale" – or "whale" – is visible.

Boat fishing

Boat fishing is incredibly fun, very social, and you get to fish in a completely different and more efficient way. It is recommended to try this fishing when visiting Skjerja, especially if you are a fly fisherman. Boats can be rented throughout the season and booked via Geilo - Hunter & Fishing Association's website. 

Reel or fly

The water in the high mountains is almost crystal clear. This can make the fish extra easily frightened. Pay attention when moving along the bank. Do not use thicker line than necessary, 0.18-0.25 monofilament will hold in masses or multifilament 0.12-0.17. If you use multifilament line, it is a good idea to tie on a leader with a more "invisible" monofilament line.

The color of the lure doesn't have to mean the world – more important are the weight, the presentation and the gait. Fish-like lures are always effective because they imitate small fish well and are long-casting - In smaller lakes or bays, where the range doesn't matter much, traditional lures, wobblers and spinners work well. Customize the depth you want to fish with the weight of the lure you're using. This also determines the speed and gait to a large extent.

If you want to try fly fishing, watchman Ivar Sygnabere has a good relationship with Mallard & Claret, Butcher, Heckham Peckham Green and Peter Ross, although as otter flies with a double hook. But you can also find these flies as "normal flies" and with them you can almost be sure of catching whatever the weather. Of the more traditional/modern flies, Muddler are different colors, Bust flies with tones of olive and brown, streaking caddis, stink legs and black parachute are smart to have in the box. 

Mark and Dots

This is a traditional fishing that many people practice in Skjerja. If you want to make good use of your time, a tip can be to fish with worms and floats and let it do the work while you fish actively with a reel or fly.

Bombard with a fly

Here they apply the same fly that is used for fly fishing, but bring extra sets of bombardas and various sinkers. Abdomen recommended flies mentioned above.
 

Accommodation at Skjerja

 

You can lay a tent around the entire lake, but it is recommended to lie down in the area around the cabin or by already used campfires or tent sites. If, on the other hand, you want a little luxury, a good bed and a slightly higher standard, you can rent the cabin where you have access to the vast majority of facilities a mountain cabin may have. 

Skjerja is a fabled mountain lake for better or worse that you should definitely try your luck at fishing in.    

Fiske

Article written by Haakon Roe.