If you are visiting Norway for the World Fly Fishing Championship and believe that competition water is all there is to see, Stor‑Elvdal would like to disagree – politely, of course, but with a certain calm confidence. This is a place of wide rivers, patient trout, reflective moments, and accommodation owners who do not ask unnecessary questions when you hang wet waders over the railing.
The River Where Everything Happens (Eventually)
The Glomma River, flowing through Stor‑Elvdal, is not a river that rushes. It moves with the calm assurance of a grayling that knows you have spotted it and is mildly amused by your efforts.
Here you will find:
- Brown trout and grayling, well suited to fly fishing
- Long, readable pools
- Wadeable stretches and classic dry‑fly evenings
This is the sort of river where you see fish, cast carefully, lose the fish – and later describe the entire episode as “exactly according to plan.”
The Lake That Holds Its Ground
Atnsjøen lies quietly at the edge of the mountains, just below Rondane National Park. Clear, deep, and unhurried, it offers fly fishing for trout in wide, open water – where wind, light, and patience matter just as much as the cast.
Lakes for Daydreamers and Optimists
Some waters are meant to be fished. Others are meant to be imagined and dreamed about long before you arrive.
Larger forest lakes with trout of impressive size, where conversations tend to lower when fish weights are mentioned, and optimism always seems justified.
Calm lakes with evening rises, perfect for dryfly fishing, long casts, and the comforting sense that time has slowed considerably.
Higher-altitude waters, offering variety and freshness with trout, Arctic char, and a pleasant feeling of being just far enough away from everything else.
Small, sheltered forest lakes, scattered throughout the area. Quiet places with simple surroundings, ideal for testing a fly you tied late at night and were far too proud of to leave unused.
Where to Sleep, Eat, and Talk About Fish
Fly fishing is demanding work. One must therefore sleep well, eat decently, and talk endlessly about fish afterward.
In Stor‑Elvdal, several fisherman‑friendly options await, all currently in operation:
- Koppang Camping – centrally located, close to the Glomma, and clearly accustomed to anglers
- Atna Camping – beautifully situated by the river, with a very short commute from breakfast to first cast
- Trya Camping – practical, welcoming, and strategically placed
- Stor‑Elvdal Hotel – for those who enjoy fly fishing but also appreciate a proper bed, a shower, and dinner served on plates
All of them understand fishermen. None of them object to the faint smell of river.
After the Championship
When the competition ends, the scores are settled, and the shoulders finally relax, Stor‑Elvdal remains. For those wishing to explore other approaches og fishing, Stor-Elvdal also offers strong populations of pike and whitefish, well suited for various forms of fishing beyond traditional fly fishing.
Stor‑Elvdal – the Great River Valley: where you catch fish, watch fish, eat fish (or at least speak of them often), and go to bed with new plans for fishing tomorrow.
P.S. Fishing permits are required for all fishing in the area and are available through Glomma Fiskeforening and Atna Fiskeforening.
FIPS-Mouche World Championship 2026 Norway