Fishing trip to Østerdalen
First I have to regret writing in English. Sorry for you folks...........

I speak quite a bit of Norwegian but writing seems something different.

However.... Imagine........ Holland ( the Netherlands) is 14 times smaller than Norway and we are living there with 16 million people. This includes a lot of shit. Traveling without que is almost impossible. here is always some kind of noice to be heard. The fishing waters we have are truly overpopulated. There is no wild trout or grayling to be find in our place. We have to be pleased with some abbor, gjedde and brasme.
 

Örret og harr ? Therefore we have to visit Belgium or Germany at least. But that costs a lot of money and is not as that as it should be. But not me. No way. I've found a place where I can realy relax and catch nice fish. Norway ! Österdalen.......

Do the Norwegian people realy realize that they (still) have such beautifull waters ? I hope so but I sometimes I realy doubt. Especially when I have to take there left carbage from the riversides. Meters of nylon, empty pakages of bait, engangsgriller and so on...................It's a pitty.The Glomma is a familiar place for me. I've been there so many times now. A great palace too. I love the surrounding mountains, the passing elg or deer, the smell of pinewood, the moment at a fireplace and much more. I've seen a Jerv there, heard howling wolves, saw fishing eagles...........
 

I use to travel around the Atna (stor Elvdal) region in the summer while having my family vacation. When my beloved wife sits on a rock.....reading a fine book........I'm found in the river with my boxes full of dry flies. I use to catch a lot of fish on Klinkhåmers, fallskjermfluer and black ants. Trout and grayling !

In september I often go back to Norway. Shopping we do in Atna. A village with almost no people but with a (very) nice pub and supermarked. Since last year you can even get petrol there !!! With a selected couple of flyfishing friends we fish along the same area later on in september. Sometimes in the sunshine, sometimes in the drizzle and cold. Mostly with great results. I never forget the thay I got more than 100 graylings on a foam ant in only one day !!!!!!!!!! Only a few fish we catch are selected te be eaten. The rest goes unharmed back into their enviroment. Where it belongs.

I realy wish all sportfishing people do the same but more and more I'm meeting people that just fill there freezing boxes with fish caught in the Glomma. Do'nt they realize what sensitive system they are destroying ? Especially some of the Swedish and Germans should pay more respect ! Catching a fish on a (dry) flyis not just something. It is a kind of secret ritual that is only appriciated by those who know te secret.
 

I will be back in september. Even if it should cost me my last money..........

Meet me there.

Thank God it is still there.

The Glomma !

You.., Norwegian fellows......

Be proud of it !

erik van den Hoek