River Varde is one of only 3-4 Danish rivers that holds a stock
of genuine wild salmon with species weighing above 20 kg.
The river has in recent years seen a revival for fishing salmon
due to increased efforts to preserve this beautiful fish. This
means that today there is a realistic chance of getting in touch
with the wild salmon.
The river has a brownish tan to it and is easily fished most
places along its 100 km in lenght. The river bank changes
between flat meadows and tall brinks and in some parts the
original natural state with woods overhangingis the river is
left untouched creating a unique landscape as well as some
difficulties when the salmon is on the hook ! The lower parts
of the river is heavily marked by the tide all along the way up
untill after the town of Varde. As most rivers in Denmark the
river Varde is gently rolling along making it a pleasure to fish.
the spring. Each year fish above 10 kg is caught and the
average weight for the first two weeks of april 2005 saw an
amazing average of + 8 kg. Later on seatrouts begin to
emerge in the river. Smaller fish but with surprises in
between with fish above 10 kg.
Spin fishing takes the majority of fish but flyfishing is also
becoming widespread by the river. Local fishermen will
also often use natural baits for fishing salmon. A one hand
flyrod will work well most places. Wading is uncommon by
river Varde.
Although river Varde is a medium sized river compared
to other Danish salmon & seatrout streams the river
has shown some remarkable fish - in the past as well
in the present. In 2006 a 135 cm salmon was found
dead after spawning. As a freshly run fish it would have
weighed approx. 25-30 kg indicating a possible new
Danish record (the biggest salmon caught sofar is a
giant salmon of 26,5 kg from river Skjern).
Fish above 10 kg are not uncommon by this river and
salmons like the 14,5 kg fish to your left is within reach
with every cast of the fly though you have to work hard
and persistently to catch a fish like that. But under that
brownish stream they wait....!!
Genetic research have shown that the salmon from
river Varde belongs to one of the 3-4 original salmon
stocks in Denmark dating back to when the ice withdrew
about 8.000- 10.000 years ago. During the 1970s and
80s the salmons were scarcely few and some thought
it extinct until research proved it to be otherwise. Today
the river Varde salmon is not an endagered species
and fishing has improved tremendously as a result of
the various efforts made to preserve the stock and
improve its living conditions.
Though not immediately endangered the stock is
protected by certain regulations which means that it
is only allowed to kill one salmon per year per Angler.
The maximum allowable catch from river Varde in
total is 130 salmons forming a modfied catch-and-
release policy. As to the seatrout there are no legal
requirements in force besides a minimum size of the
Most of the fishing takes place upstream the town of Varde.
Here you will find excellent beats like Laksesvinget, Under
skoven, Skonager baek, Kildevaeldet and others. Other
places to fish in this river is Hvide banke, Brune banke and
Lunderup. Also of interest are the new bends added to the
river as part of a river restauration project. These contains
fine spots for the salmon and seatrout and will likely become
beats that will fish very well during the season. These beats
can be found just upstream the town of Varde. Since river
Varde is formed by two adjoining river - river Holme and river
Grindsted both salmon and seatrouts will enter into these
water systems after passing the Karlsgaarde...
All kinds of the usual fishing methods are allowed and
practiced along river Varde but the majority is caught on
spinners and spoons. Upstream fishing is widely in use
here. Since the river often is heavily brownish colored
spinners and flies in less than discrete colors are often
recommended. In spring the salmon will take willingly but
later in the autumn it can be difficult to attract their interest
and a persistent fishing tactic is sometimes the only way
to make things happen.
Flyfishing has gained in popularity along the banks of the
river and both salmons and seatrouts will take to the fly
when they are in the mood. Flies used are often tradtional
patterns like General Practitioner, Red Butt, Silver Doctor
etc. are all viable alternatives. Tube flies are also used to a
great extent and tubes like Sunrays Shadow and many
others are fine for this river.
One handed as well as two handed fly rods are both used
but actually a one hand rod will do the job just fine and
provide for good sports when the fish finally hooks.
As to the lures used spinners such as Mepps and Myr are
in widespread use but also wobblers like Rapala can be
used to good advantage. Spinning is done both upstream
and downstream - the important thing is to get the bait
down to the fish. In the autumn this tactic is worth a try....
When the fish hooks be sure to keep a tight line and let the
fish decide where to go in the first critical period after it has
taken to the fly or spinner. Salmons and seatrouts are
fish with a considerable strenght so they have to be taken
vey lightly at the beginning. Later on the roles changes and
you have to be on top of things to get the fish...!
è Take a closer look at REDTAG's courses by river Varde
é © REDTAG