The Tranmæl beat is an approximately 1 km long double-sided beat. The beat offers an exciting salmon fishing with very good variety in fantastic surroundings. Fly fishing gaula here is wonderful.

This beat is characterised by a long glide that flows into a big pool followed by a very interesting part with lots of rocks and stones; great holding spots for the salmon. This part comes to a clear ”edge” with rapids followed by yet another glide.

The Tranmæl-beat is situated approximately 10 km uppstream the mouth of the river, which means that almost all salmon running up the Gaula during the season, will pass through or stop and hold along this particular beat.

For sure, this beat presents fair chances to catch really big fish during the June runs, but thanks to the long gravel- and sand bank along the entire beat, this is also a place for the salmon to stop and spawn through the entire fishing season. Great opportunites to catch middle-sized salmon and grils from beginning of uly and on.

Tranmæl can be fished on all water levels – from 300 m3 to extremely low late summer levels. The Tranmæl beat changes its characteristics to a great deal at different water levels, which presents the curious and skilled fisherman with constantly new challenges.

The beat is long and allows fishing on both sides of the river – you’ll have no problems whatsoever being 6-8 fishermen or more at the same time on this beat.

How to fish Tranmael

POOL #1

”The upper part of Tranmæl starts with a glide that goes in a bend in the river. On this pool you’ll fish an inner-curve, from the glide and further into the long pool. Since the river is curving here, the water flow slows down in the inner curve, which attracts the salmon who mostly try to find calm water to be able to wim up the river with the least amount of resistance. Here it’s easy to reach out to the fish and you’ll have no problems finding a good casting position. Maybe this part is at its best early in the season when the waterflow is usually still high. Then, the salmon will swim by the river bank right in front of your feet! Choose a sinking line when fishing this pool. Early in the season heavy lines in weight class 4/5 are often necessary to reach down to the salmon. Further into the season, however, different combination-lines – e.g. Float/Sink2 and alike – are preferable to give the fly both the right depth and speed.”

POOL #2

”The pool is chacterised by a long row of rocks on different distances from the river bank. These rocks create very interesting currents and holding spots for big salmon. The pool offers a nice and even flow which eventually comes in to a rapid edge – a spot where you can often see salmon jumping or showing fins and tails. If you’ve timed a run of salmon right, this is the best spot to be in when they arrive! The fish stop and hold behind the big rocks and usually act very nervous here, probably fighting for the best resting places. When fishing, you should aim your casts towards any of these rocks – watch the currents carefully and create a picture in your head what it looks like under the surface. This pool has a long gravel bank to stand on and you’ll have no problems trying the overhand technique here. I recommend you to use some kind of sinking line here still, to make sure you’re really deep enough to attract the salmon at the very bottom. It’s always very important in the lower parts of Gaula to fish deep! Early in the season I use a sinker in class 2/3 and normally put on a float/sink2 in July/August. A heavy copper/brass tube is my first hand choice for a fly here.”