Pools and beats on the River Skjern
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the River Skjern
Zone 4
The Kyvling Bend
Here the river is deep and the current fast. Salmon find lies all the way round this big bend. Nice place for both spinning and fly fishing.
Zone 4
The Rotten Water (Råddensig)
Especially the stretch upstream of the Råddensig Bæk brook is interesting. It is most easy to fish it from the south side.
Zone 3
The Walking Trail
On this stretch down towards Gjaldbæk Bro, the river flows over submerged large boulders. This makes it a prime holding location. Each season, nice catches are made here. The stretch can be fished from both sides, but is probably best from the south side.
Zone 3
Olaf’s Mound
The biggest fly-caught salmon ever taken in Denmark weighed 20.4 kilos (45lb) and measured 121 centimeters. It was caught in this pool back in 2012 by Olaf Solberg. The huge salmon was stuffed and is at display in the House of the Salmon.
Zone 2
The pump
The large stones just downstream of the pump offer perfect holding water for salmon.
Zone 2
The Pantry
Back in 1994, a salmon weighing 15.7 kilos (35lb) was caught in this pool by local angler Ole Østergaard. This large specimen was a perfect symbol of the rivers recovery. The huge project with the aim to restore the River Skjern has since proved to be a fantastic investment.
Zone 1
The Salmon Bend
This is a 90-degree bend in the river with the current running at full speed. On the bottom, solid soil structures (hardpan) create ideal resting places for salmon.
Zone 1
Hjøllund Bæk brook
The original stock of River Skjern salmon was rescued thanks to a few wild adult salmon caught by electric fishing back in the early 1980s. Their offspring were hatched and reared in a hatchery. In 1984, the first hatchery reared salmon fry was stocked right here in Hjøllund Bæk brook. The junction of the brook with the River Skjern is a well-known salmon taking place.
Welcome to River Skjern
First class salmon fishing
Welcome to River Skjern
First class salmon fishing
Get started
Rules and recommendations
Fishing season in River Skjern: From April 16th to October 15th. Read more about fishing rules and how to get started fishing in River Skjern Here:
Get started
Rules and recommendations
Fishing season in River Skjern: From April 16th to October 15th. Read more about fishing rules and how to get started fishing in River Skjern Here:
Good advice
Fishing in River Skjern is not easy. As a new angler on the river you may need a little help and some good advice. Therefore, do visit the House of the Salmon, whose employees are experienced salmon fishermen. They will be happy to advice you and tell you about the fishing, the pools and beats on the river. They will also help you buy fishing licenses and arrange accommodation.
145
Record year in River Skjern
The 2017 season beat all records with near to 1,700 rod landed salmon averaging 13 lb (6 kilos) and 84 centimeters in length. That is the highest number of salmon ever recorded in the River Skjern. Of all the salmon caught in River Skjern in 2017, more than 145 specimens exceeded 1 meter in length. Of the salmon caught during the 2017 season, 54 % were caught on fly, 43 % on lure, 2 % on worm, and the last 1 % was reported to have been taken on \\
SALMON FEVER
This is how the Danish painter, writer and salmon angler Svend Saabye described the passion of salmon fishing in his book "Fisherman’s Life" in 1957.
Angling can be described as a state of mindfulness and immersion that go hand in hand with a keen urge to feel the sudden pull when the line tightens as a salmon violently takes the lure.
This is what urges salmon anglers each spring from near and far to go to the River Skjern when the season opens on April 16th. The opening day stands out as one of the year’s biggest events for many anglers. A day filled with joy and expectation. For the lucky ones, who actually hook up with a true River Skjern springer, salmon fever is guaranteed. During the fight, your knees and hands are shaking and if the fish is successfully landed, both angler and spectators are happy, just like children! The first weeks of the season can be hectic with lots of anglers on the river. But, as soon as the quota for large salmon expires, many anglers have a break. From this moment on, you will meet fewer people at the river, and if you arrive early, in the first rays of light, you can often fish rested waters. For the remainder of the season, more and more salmon run the river and the chance to encounter a salmon newly from the sea is good until the season closes in October.
Fishing with fly and lure
Most salmon are taken on a fly in the River Skjern and when the water is coloured a sinking line is the first choice. The flies are as different as anglers but salmon flies in burned orange and yellow are most commonly used. Angling with lures is popular too. The heavy condom spinner is favored by many as it fishes deep in the water which can be very effective.
Regulations
Anglers on the River Skjern support fishing regulations and obey the law as they understand that the regulations are in place to manage fisheries now and for the future. The current regulations are based on the best scientific advice available. Please, acquaint yourself with quotas, size limits, tackle and bait restrictions, and seasonal closures.
SALMON FEVER
This is how the Danish painter, writer and salmon angler Svend Saabye described the passion of salmon fishing in his book "Fisherman’s Life" in 1957.
Angling can be described as a state of mindfulness and immersion that go hand in hand with a keen urge to feel the sudden pull when the line tightens as a salmon violently takes the lure.
This is what urges salmon anglers each spring from near and far to go to the River Skjern when the season opens on April 16th. The opening day stands out as one of the year’s biggest events for many anglers. A day filled with joy and expectation. For the lucky ones, who actually hook up with a true River Skjern springer, salmon fever is guaranteed. During the fight, your knees and hands are shaking and if the fish is successfully landed, both angler and spectators are happy, just like children! The first weeks of the season can be hectic with lots of anglers on the river. But, as soon as the quota for large salmon expires, many anglers have a break. From this moment on, you will meet fewer people at the river, and if you arrive early, in the first rays of light, you can often fish rested waters. For the remainder of the season, more and more salmon run the river and the chance to encounter a salmon newly from the sea is good until the season closes in October.
Fishing with fly and lure
Most salmon are taken on a fly in the River Skjern and when the water is coloured a sinking line is the first choice. The flies are as different as anglers but salmon flies in burned orange and yellow are most commonly used. Angling with lures is popular too. The heavy condom spinner is favored by many as it fishes deep in the water which can be very effective.
Regulations
Anglers on the River Skjern support fishing regulations and obey the law as they understand that the regulations are in place to manage fisheries now and for the future. The current regulations are based on the best scientific advice available. Please, acquaint yourself with quotas, size limits, tackle and bait restrictions, and seasonal closures.
Quote Erling Pedersen
""I took my first salmon in River Skjern back in 1998 - since then I've caught 150-200 salmon in the river.""
In 2017, the largest River Skjern salmon killed was caught by Erling Pedersen on April 24th. Erling is one of the experienced local anglers who catches quite a few salmon every year. His record salmon from 2017 was in perfect shape: It measured ‘only’ 114 centimeters but weighed 19 kilos (42lb)! The salmon was caught on not one but two flies – two tube flies fished in tandem.
Though Erling’s salmon was a big one, it wasn’t exceptional for the river as no less than 13 salmon caught and released during the 2017 season were longer than this one.
Based on the length alone, it is estimated that a salmon caught by Jesper Ottosen on May 25th exceeded the magic 20 kilos (44lb) mark. This majestic fish measured 122 centimeters.
News and events
See what happens
at the river
News and events
See what happens
at the river