Namsentunet Lodge, one of Norway’s most exclusive Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout fishing retreats, is nestled on the banks of the famous river Namsen, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Rivers’. Located in Trøndelag county and flowing for 228 kilometres, it’s one of central Norway’s longest. Beginning its journey in the springs of Børgefjell National Park, just over the border in Nordland county, it flows through the municipalities of Røyrvik, Namsskogan, Grong, Overhalla, and Namsos before emptying into the Namsenfjorden. For many centuries, fly fishing aficionados have made their journey to this beautiful river to enjoy one of the finest fishing experiences the world has to offer.
The Namsen, steeped in history, first came to prominence in the 19th century when adventurous British fishers started visiting its banks, returning with stories of abundant numbers of large Salmon. Although slightly less prolific today, big fish remain a massive part of its heritage, and each year, good numbers of 40-45lb Salmon get landed by travelling rods. As a result, it’s remained a favoured retreat amongst royalty, landed gentry and the most discerning individuals and their guests.
If you’re a fly fishing or country sports enthusiast, then Namsentunet Lodge is the perfect destination for you; set amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe, it offers the complete package.
The Namsen is one of the longest rivers in Trøndelag county, in the central part of Norway, flowing for just over 228 kilometres. For centuries it’s been a river synonymous with good catches of Atlantic Salmon, both in terms of numbers and size. In 2017 the river was responsible for over 10,000 Atlantic Salmon, a number slightly inflated due to a strong run of smaller Grilse, however they were heavily interspersed with plenty of larger fish in the 10kg to 15kg range. In the same year, the most significant specimen landed from the Namsen was a stunning fish of just over 22kg, whilst the biggest fish on record currently stands at a whopping 27kg.
The Namsentunet Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Namsen, controls over 15km of the fishing, and visiting rods will have the opportunity to fish the upper, lower and middle stretches and the Sanddola River, along with 28 Salmon pools. The fishing is roughly based on a rotation of three (four at certain times of the year), and depending on how many days of fishing you have, you’ll have the opportunity to fish all the different beats. The impressive size of the river and the fact all the stretches offer double-bank fishing means it doesn’t feel confined at all.
Like all of Norway, the Salmon season on the Namsen runs from the 1st of June to the 31st of August. The season’s opening weeks are relatively classic spring-like Salmon fishing conditions and are typically when the most significant fish enter the river systems.
By late June and the beginning of July, fishing is at its most productive, the water levels have often dropped, and the vast Grilse run is in full swing. The season continues until the end of August, and with the changing seasons comes a changing of tactics – floating lines and smaller flies.
As well as the Salmon season, there’s also a season for Brown Trout which runs from May to September, and one for the Arctic Char, running from January to March.
With over 15km of double bank fishing, spread over two rivers, and 28 quality Salmon Pools at each anglers disposal, it’s no surprise that Namsentunet Lodge is a destination at the top of many travelling freshwater fly anglers wishlist.
The upper stretch of the Namsentunet beat covers a lot of water, and despite a relatively free-slowing straight path, it’s one of the most complex parts of the river to read. Along its length, there are numerous deep holes and structures which provide good holding water, and this area is one of the primary spawning areas for the whole river.
The middle beat, home to ‘Home Pool’, is one of the most productive and scenic stretches you’ll ever have the joy to fish. With tonnes of fast streamy water, classic necks and tails, it looks very appealing to the eye.
The upper section of the lower Nasmsen offers some scenic pools before it flows out of a deep gorge, channelling down past the town of Grong to the confluence where Sanddola joins. The Sanddola river is a principal tributary of the Namsen but is also a great Salmon river in its own right and offers some excellent fly fishing opportunities. It fishes best in medium water heights from mid-June to mid-July.
One of the best-known beats on the Namsen is that at Fiskumfoss, fished as part of the Namsentunet rotation in August. It offers over one kilometre of double bank fishing starting just below Fiskumfoss falls, a formidable natural barrier, creating a fantastic holding pool. Despite the introduction of a Salmon ladder tunnelled through the rock, the area still remains one of the most popular and productive on the whole river.
To find out more about the Atlantic Salmon fishing at Namsentunet Lodge in Norway, visit our YouTube channel.
The Namsen is a big powerful river even in low-water conditions, and double-handed rods are almost mandatory. The fishing on the river starts to hot up in mid to late June when the water levels have dropped; however, regardless of when you fish, it’s worth having a range of fly-tips from floating to fast sink at your disposal. During some of the bright sunny days in mid-July, the most productive fishing will often be found at the bottom of many of the deeper pools. The fishery at Namsentunent is divided into two parts, bank fishing and boat fishing.
When bank fishing, the lodge offers three-beat rotations (four at certain times of the year) and depending on where they are on the river and the river height, the beats are reached by foot, vehicle or in one of the lodge’s traditional wooden canoes. Anglers are permitted to use the canoes off their own back; however, a degree of boatmanship is required to operate them safely.
If you wish to fish afloat, it’s possible to fish using the ‘Harling’ technique from the lodge’s wooden canoes. Like bank fishing, it’s possible to fish 24 hours a day (when the river is not too high or too warm), with sixteen hours unsupervised if you wish. A degree of boatmanship is required to operate an outboard engine and navigate the faster water safely.
At Namsentunet, the guiding is based on 2 to 3 anglers per guide, for eight hours a day, split between two-four hour sessions. Each beat is approximately 2.5km long and usually will cater to seven anglers, although the lodge and guides will always spread out as much as possible. A rotation schedule is in place; however, towards the end of the week, anglers will always be given the chance to return to their favoured pool or stretch of water.
At Namsentunet Lodge, there are six cabins with a total of 22 rooms, comprising 44 beds, many of which have riverside views and their own kitchen and lounge area’s, offering guests a warm and homely ambience. All the rooms are spacious, with ample space for storage for your fishing and or hunting equipment.
Ten of the rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and the rest are shared, but all are modern, and bathrobes and towels get provided with each room.
All cabins are adorned in stylish Scandinavian interior design, fitted with flat-screen televisions and high-speed WIFI internet connection. The beds are comfortable and boast white, fresh, clean linen. All guests are looked after with a full maid and housekeeping service.
A significant changing and equipment room is also located on-site, where you can prepare all your equipment for the day ahead, along with a disinfection station. There is ample secure car parking on site.
Namsentunet also offers a large dining room and modern kitchen where the lodges chefs serve home-cooked food, including Norwegian and European cuisine.
Guests typically stay for four nights (three days fishing) or seven nights (six days fishing ). For the seven day/six night schedules, guests arrive on a Sunday and depart on a Sunday. For the three day/four night schedules, guests arrive on a Sunday or Wednesday and depart Thursday or Sunday.
The Namsunteunet guides also offer the opportunity for you to explore the beautiful Nordic wilderness and forests to hunt for game birds, including Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Capercaillie and Duck.
The below itinerary is flexible should you wish to lengthen or shorten your trip with additional or fewer fishing days; we can tailor the below itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Oslo Depart Oslo
Arrive Trondheim
At Trondheim Airport you will pick up your pre-arranged hire car. Please note that this is not included in the price but we can book this for you. The drive to Namsentunet is around 2.5 hours.
On arrival at Namsentunet, our hosts will check you in, give you a tour of the facilities. You’ll then enjoy some supper and an evening of fishing (if you wish).
Overnight accommodation: Namsentunet (Single Rooms) F/B
You will enjoy six full days of fishing on the mighty Namsen River, fishing for the hard fighting Atlantic Salmon that inhabit its waters.
Overnight accommodation: Namsentunet (Single Rooms) F/B
If you wish you can bank fish for the full 6 days of fishing, however, you also have the option of using the Lodges wooden canoes, free of charge. If you wish to fish afloat, it’s possible to fish using the ‘Harling’ technique.
Overnight accommodation: Namsentunet (Single Rooms) F/B
In the morning you’ll have breakfast and the chance to fish for a couple of hours before you drive your hire car back to Trondheim Airport. The drive from Namsentunet is around 2.5 hours.
Depart Trondheim
Arrive Oslo Depart Oslo
Arrive Home
The season runs from June to August.
Season: June to August
Peak: July
Weight: 10lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: June to August
Peak: September
Weight: 2lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 5lb
Season: May to September
Peak: August
Weight: 1lb to 18lb
Average Weight: 3lb
Season: January to March
Peak: February
Weight: 1lb to 5lb
Average Weight: 2lb
N/A
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/06/2024 | 23/06/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 23/06/2024 | 30/06/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 30/06/2024 | 07/07/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Sold Out |
| 07/07/2024 | 14/07/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 14/07/2024 | 21/07/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Sold Out |
| 21/07/2024 | 28/07/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 28/07/2024 | 04/08/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 04/08/2024 | 11/08/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 11/08/2024 | 18/08/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 18/08/2024 | 25/08/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 25/08/2024 | 01/09/2024 | 8 | £5,068 | Enquire Now |
| 15/06/2025 | 22/06/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 22/06/2025 | 29/06/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 29/06/2025 | 06/07/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 06/07/2025 | 13/07/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 13/07/2025 | 20/07/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 20/07/2025 | 27/07/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 27/07/2025 | 03/08/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 03/08/2025 | 10/08/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 10/08/2025 | 17/08/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 17/08/2025 | 24/08/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
| 24/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 8 | £5,301 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two anglers sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
The standard itinerary is for seven days, six nights and six days fishing, however shorter trips of three days and four nights are also available.
If you like your freshwater fly fishing I would definitely recommend Namsentunet, it offers a huge range of excellent accommodation, and an abundance of quality water to fish. During my week I landed 2 Salmon and lost 1, which considering the river conditions was a fantastic result. I'd love to return next year when perhaps the weather gods are kinder to me. Thanks all.
Staying at Namsentunet Lodge was a wonderful experience and one I'd have no hesitation in recommending. The set-up there and the way everything works is so slick. As with any Salmon fishing the conditions have to be right to catch, but that won't stop you from having a good time.
The lodge was extremely welcoming and the staff couldn't do enough for you. The guides on the river were also incredibly knowledgeable and did everything in their power to put you on fish. Namsentunet Lodge I will be back.
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