Aroy, Norway
The Årøy is one of Norway’s most iconic rivers; a private river fished by four rods and with a fascinating history of large salmon landed in fast, turbulent water.
The river is owned by the Munthe Olsen family who have farmed in the area for centuries and acquired the fishing rights to the entire river in 1746. First fished for sport by the British in the late 1800s, the Årøy soon became famous for its huge salmon. A British engineer designed the layout of croys and platforms that enable fishing in this fast, white water river. A Russian, Nicolas Denissoff, had the lease for many years and it was his guest Charles Ritz who wrote the riveting chapter ‘The Great Årøy Steeplechase’ in his book A Fly Fisher’s Life.
A new lodge was built in 1966 overlooking the lower section of the river and this remains the current lodge. The river has been leased out for many decades, but when the lease terminated in 2012 the Olsen family wished to take back control of the river and have provided us with a rare chance to fish it.
The Årøy lies in a remarkably beautiful area and it is well worth taking some time away from the river to explore the fjords, mountains and glaciers.
Accommodation
The current lodge was built in the 1960s and very little has changed since it was built. It consists of a well-furnished main sitting room and dining room both with an interesting collection of Årøy fishing history and memorabilia. For 2013 the bedrooms are being refurbished to provide 2 twin bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms and two further bunk rooms both which share a shower room.
Food will be provided by Knut Munthe Olsen who firstly runs the river and secondly is an excellent professional chef. A maid will tidy the lodge.
