Meet Eirik Sætren, Kvennan's new River Keeper
“Yesterday there was a modest hatch of Baetis rhodani. Fish came to both nymph and dry fly,” reports the wildlife manager that has Fishspot-country as his main office.
The Glomma is Norway's longest river, and the stretch at Kvennan is among the best-known fly-fishing beats in the country. Now Kvennan Fly Fishing (KFF) has a new river keeper: Eirik Sætren takes over the watch on the zone while also keeping an eye on several of the Fishspot rivers in the area.
Through the summer he reports from the river, and is happy to share a tip or two when he stops by to check fishing licenses around the valley.
A long-standing passion
He has had a fly rod in hand for as long as he can remember, and during his time at Evenstad, Tore L. Rydgren lifted his grasp of the science to new heights. He fishes mostly dry for trout, in still and moving water alike.
“As a passionate fly angler, I look forward to helping protect what gives us the fishing experiences that Kvennan and the other rivers we manage are known for,” Sætren says.
Kvennan Fly Fishing was established in 2006 to safeguard the fishing for the future. It is a fly-fishing-only zone, with its own rules to protect the larger fish. The zone runs 15.2 km from the Eid waterfall in the north to Åbrua bridge in the south. Each year trout up to 4 kg are landed, and grayling up to 1.5 kg. The grayling is the most abundant fish in the zone and draws fly anglers from across Europe.
A practical and theoretical background
Sætren holds a bachelor's degree in wildlife management from Evenstad and has one year left on a master's in applied ecology. Before he hit the books he drove trucks and excavators.
He takes over from Hein van Aar, and is quick to praise his predecessor.
“Hein put in a great deal of effort and did a fantastic job,” he says.
Underway at last
If you see the river keeper out on the water, don't hesitate to stop for a chat.
“I'm always happy to talk about fishing, water levels, and this and that,” Sætren says.
The fishing is already underway. In his first report from Kvennan (2 June) he describes a river still running a bit high and slightly coloured, though conditions are improving by the day. The fish are rising during spells of good insect activity.
“I was out fishing yesterday. There was a hatch of Baetis rhodani, along with some midges and other insects on the water. Fish came to both nymphs and dry flies, so now we're truly underway in Fishspot country,” he says.
The water level sat at 587.87 (2005–2023 average: 588.15), the water was lightly coloured and held 11 °C.
Alongside Kvennan, Sætren also oversees several Fishspot stretches in the area, among them Fiskekort i Brya, Glåma og Folla i Alvdal and Grimsa Fluefiskesone i Folldal.
“Just pack your gear. I'll see you by the river,” Sætren says.
You'll find fishing licenses for Kvennan Fly Fishing on Inatur.no.
