Beiar

The Beiar River runs through some of the most scenic areas in the Arctic, surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks and some of Norway’s largest glaciers. To the east and the south, the area borders and partly overlaps the Saltfjellet/Svartisen National Park and more than 60 per cent of the river’s catchments is within a protected zone for hydropower development.

The area is steeped in Sami history and contains many cultural sites. It is an important pasture and calving area for reindeer and a gateway to the National Park for walkers and nature watchers.

The river, with its 30 kilometres salmon run, flows through the municipality of Beiarn, in the middle part of the County of Nordland, just north of the Arctic Circle.

This 550 kilometres (350 miles) long county, is one of the biggest and longest in Norway but also among the narrowest. In Tysfjord you are only a few kilometres from the fjord’s end to the Swedish border. Due to the effects of glaciers, the river is cold and has an emerald-like colour.

It is pure pleasure fishing some of the best fly-fishing stretches in Norway.

The Beiar River is well known for large salmon and it is not unusual to see a number of 12 – 15 kilos during the season. Another feature of the river is the number and size of sea trout during the latter end of July and August every season. It is among the 3 best salmon and sea trout rivers in the country.

Beiarn Gjestegard has 5 beats available for their guests and the beats fish a total of 6 rods with a good rotating system to allow the guests as much variation as possible. It is one of the few rivers in Norway that encourage catch and release, although 750 salmon with an average weight of 4.5 kgs were landed in 2005 during 10 weeks fishing. The prime time is considered to the month of July for salmon fishing and Augus for sea trout. The beats are situated 4-12 kilometres from the river mouth.

Fishing season

June 17 - August 31 (Salmon),  June 17 - September 15 (Sea trout)

Tackle box:
Rods: 13 to 15 feet double-handed rods for line weights 10/11/12 will be appropriate for most conditions on the river.  Waders necessary.  Wading stick and life jacket recommended during the early part of the season and during heavy rain with high water conditions.

Flies:
Whatever you prefer for your salmon fishing, but Green Highlander and Munro Killer are very effective.

Guides:
There will normally be 1 guide for 4 anglers

Facilities:
Good standard guesthouse with 7 single/twin rooms, private and shared bathrooms, wholesome and plentiful food; service-minded staff.  Tackle and drying rooms.  Laundry.

For non-anglers:
Hiking, local museum, workshops for art and handcrafts, “Saltstraumen” maelstrom (definitely worth a trip), shopping in the Bodø (region’s biggest town), National Aviation Museum.

Nearest airport:
Bodø Airport.  The transfer time is approximately 2 hours.

It is a typical family run establishment, containing 7 rooms, of which 3 are comparable to flats with own bathroom / toilet / lounge / kitchenette, easily sleeping 2 people in each. The 4 other rooms are single rooms and share bath and toilet facilities. The 3 main meals are served in the small, fully licensed restaurant and a lot of emphasis is put on using local produce.

The owners pride themselves of serving healthy and wholesome food with good variations during a week’s fishing. Beiarn Gjestegård is equally a place to combine relaxing fishing and a fantastic place to explore the wonders of the Arctic, a place to unwind and let the pressures of ones daily work become a distant memory.

Although Beiarn Gjestegård is located near the river, and just above the high tide marker 4 km from the estuary, the main beats are situated a few miles further up the river where the salmon normally hold.