In the 1800th century, it was mostly English salmon owners who came to fish, plus some well-off Norwegian guests. They stayed at the farms along the river, and rented a boat with a rower and often a cook. In this way, they contributed to much-needed extra income for several farmers. Eventually, a separate "English villa" was also built in Korgen.
Currently, the season runs from July 1 to August 31, with good fishing opportunities on prepared embankments along the river. At the same time, active work is being carried out to preserve wild salmon and ensure the best possible management of the watercourse as a whole.
challenges
The watercourse, which includes the main river Røssåga and the tributary Leirelva, has undergone major interventions. The Lower and Upper Røssåga power plants were commissioned in 1955 and 1961. Later rehabilitation and expansion of the Lower Røssåga (completed in 2016) led to further changes. As water flow, temperature and degree of siltation affect the fish's habitat, these interventions have caused challenges.
Another challenge is the salmon parasite G. Salaris, which was detected in Røssåga in 1980, and caused a significant decline in the fish population. Rotenone treatment was carried out in 2003 and 2004, followed by rehabilitation. The waterway was declared healthy in 2009, and the treatment is today considered a success.
River Owners Association
The Røssåga and Leirelva river stretches were long managed as two rivers. In 2016, work began to bring together the licensees of the entire watercourse for joint management.
Today's river owners' association consists of over 70 managers, and is led by a board of 4 members. Based on national legislation and national goals, the responsibilities are extensive:
- Through sustainable management, preserve and hopefully improve the biological conditions for salmon.
- Ensure that what is done is rooted in modern principles and established knowledge.
- Continue work on preventing salmon parasites.
- Create a varied and attractive sport fishing offer that has positive ripple effects in the local community.
- Protect the interests of fishing rights holders, including exploiting fishing resources in a way that provides economic benefits.
The team is a member of Norske Lakseelver, the largest organization in Norway working for the conservation of wild salmon, and a voice against the authorities.
Measures for better care
Both salmon and sea trout are naturally associated with the watercourse, but today the salmon population is considered "poor" and the sea trout population is considered "reduced". Escaped farmed salmon and hydropower regulation are considered the most important influencing factors. Illegal gillnet fishing in the fjord probably also contributes negatively.
The River Owners Association is doing its best to improve the situation. They are required by law to ensure that catch reporting is carried out. Since 2010, a significant effort has been made here. On some individual rivers, reporting is now close to 100%, and the team sees an improvement with each passing year.
This work, in addition to submitting shell samples and otoliths, are important measures for both monitoring, conservation and action. Here, the river owners' association has greatly benefited from the collaboration with Statkraft's Genbank at Bjerka. They annually release large quantities of smolt and fry, as compensation for the deterioration of the spawning areas that the hydroelectric development has caused.
Information online and on mobile
On the homepage of The River Guide, where all reporting is to be entered, we find the different zones of the watercourse. Managers who want to sell fishing licenses can do this via the river guide app. Here we find salmon exchanges, locations of disinfection stations, maps of areas that sell fishing licenses, etc. This has simplified the work of legally required reporting.
Collaboration for the good of the fish
Conservation of wild salmon and good management of a river require a great deal of effort. But by standing together as good stewards, the river owners' association hopes that the Røssågalaksen will survive, so that in the future one can also fish for both the unique salmon and fine, large trout in the beautiful river.
