fishing in Stjørdalselva...

The fishing in Stjørdalselva, Norway has so far been amazing for my part. The river has gone big and cold, but with big flies and deep fishing I have had a number of salmon contacts. Often I stick with two setups of rods. First is the Loop Cross SX 14 footer #9 and a Opti Gyre loaded with the awesome GDC S5/S6 in #10.
I'm essentially a salmon fisherman and not a caster. I get the fly where I want it and the qualities I'm looking for in a shooting head are mainly the fishing features.

On big and cold river I will fish deep and slowly. To fish the deep pockets and the strong current then a heavy sinking line is superb. The thin taper in the rear end makes this lines cut through the top layer well and I get it as deep as I want. Combined with a mending and keeping the rod in a high position early in the swing while casting you can bring these heads into the deepest pockets of the river.

The other combination I use on the shallow beats where the salmon comes closer to land. Most often, the migratory salmon will go were the least resistance in the current are, Evotec Cast 14 #9 rod with a Evotec G4 HD 9/13 and a GDC S2/S3 is perfect for this condition. You will be able to go under the fast top current but still be in range for the salmon without getting stuck in the rocks at the bottom. My impression is also that the graduated sinking rates in the line go well over each other, and with the lighter back end of the taper the GDC is a dream to lift off the water.  Fishing with sinking lines has become easier and more efficient with the Loop GDC shooting heads. 

Another great setup less expensive but yet a casting tool with great feeling when playing big salmon is the Loop Q 13’2” #8 weight rod. With its MediumFast action makes it a very versatile tool for all kind of salmon fishing. With a Multi 9-12 reel and a GDC #9 F/FI You will cover the most situations and conditions in the river Stjørdal. Please see below our recommendations of salmon setups.
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Christer Kristoffersen Stjørdal 08.06.2017

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

• ENTRY LEVEL
• MID LAYER
• HIGH LEVEL

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Q 13'2" #8 / MULTI 9/13 / GDC F/FI #9

The Q series has been developed to offer user-friendly casting performance. Both in the hands of a novice caster beginning their fly fishing journey, right through to an expert angler looking for a superior value for money fly rod, Q will simply perform. Designed for all forms of modern double-handed fly casting techniques, this rod performs well above its price class for overhead and speycasting disciplines in pursuit of migratory fish. Ideally suited for mid-sized river environments, the rod blank is optimised for a cross section of fly line profiles including shooting heads, skagit systems and long headed spey lines.

FEATURES

• Blank in aesthetic cool grey matte finish
• Round aluminium reel seat in matte grey finish with embossed Q logo
• AA grade cork handle with cork mix reinforcements
• American Tackle titanium stripping guides on single-hand 
• Stainless steel hard chrome snake guides
• Rod model inscription and dot mark on ferrules for correct rod section alignment
• Delivered in a matching rounded tube and cloth bag
• Designed and developed in Sweden

MULTI REEL 9/13
High performance fly reel at an affordable price.

Multi Fly Reel range are of the highest standard in their price class offering functionality and a lifetime of dependable service for a highly competitive price point.
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FEATURES

• Handle positioned more towards center of spool for faster line retrieve.
• Workhorse design that will not let you down in the heat of the battle.
• Spool and housing made of die-cast aluminum.
• V-shape spool for optimal fly line spooling.
• Power Matrix Drag System.

GDC SHOOTING HEADS
GDC heads are designed to maintain a tight, aerodynamic loop on the forward delivery.

GDC shooting heads have been developed specifically for modern double-handed fly casting techniques. Available in a range of densities from full floating to extra fast sinking, each head is looped at both ends and is easily identified by a lazer inscription denoting its size and class. The head configuration is designed to enhance efficient energy transfer during the casting cycle by maintaining a tight, aerodynamic loop profile on the forward delivery.

FLOATING/ INTERMEDIATE,
​The Floating/Intermediate is the shooting head for the change over period when cooling water temperatures reduce the willingness of the fish to take flies on or close to the surface.

EVOTEC CAST MF 14' #9 / EVOTEC G4 HD 8/10 / GDC S2/S3

When it comes to swinging heavy flies deep for Atlantic salmon, the CAST 14' ten weight rod offers a high performance fly rod in Medium Fast action. The Evotec CAST MF has long been the very cornerstone of LOOP’s proud history in fly rod design. This classic LOOP action allows for continual power application through the casting stroke, achieving both optimum fly presentation and fish-fighting ability. Presented in a stunning pearlised grey finish, these Medium Fast rods are designed for freshwater species and allow the angler to fish all day with maximum performance and minimal fatigue. The CAST series utilises our very latest DCT (Dynamic Core Technology). This unique technology is achieved during blank construction by building directional carbon fibre in a specific interlayering sequence. Each carbon layer is designed to work in unison with the rod’s flex plane by adding integral strength throughout the length of the blank.

FEATURES

• High-grade cork handle with Cork mix reinforcements
• Triangular aluminum reel seat in bright anodized finish
• Ceramic stripping guides and chrome snake guides with double coating
• Rod model inscription and dot mark on ferrules for correct fit on rod sections
• Delivered in matching pentagonal tube and cloth bag
• Designed and developed in Sweden

EVOTEC HD 8/10

Since their original development, our Evotec series of reels have enjoyed timeless popularity within the fly fishing world. The Evotec G4 Fly Reel is the fourth generation member of the family and still very much the workhorse among all fly reels. Internal-wise, a powerhouse in every sense of the word. With the strong and seamlessly smooth Power Matrix drag system, the Evotec G4 series is the reel to have attached to the rod when the fish of a lifetime hits your fly.

FEATURES

• Housing and spool machined from one piece aircraft aluminium.
• Waterproof and salt tolerant.
• Components in stainless steel and anodised aluminium.
• All screws secured with Loc-Tite.
• Mechanized components from leading European manufacturers.
• Power Matrix Drag System.
• Easy-grip progressive brake knob.
• Distinct click
• Precisely counterbalanced.

GDC S2/S3 
This is the general sinking head density used in a range of fishing situations.
Great depth control and the slim head
profile cuts through the wind to get effortless casting distance.

CROSS SX 14' #9 / OPTI GYRE / GDC S5/S6

Our Cross SX series is our next generation addition to the Cross S family of fly rods. These fast action rods are carefully designed and tested over a two year period to provide a proven combination of proprietary nano-resin and high tensile carbon – We call this Cross Core Technology System. This construction enables us to fine tune the material combination creating a fusion of strength, power and pinpoint accuracy. Our world-renowned designers and pro team members tested each model around the globe against multiple species, in a wide range of climates and fishing conditions. Our overriding mission was to develop the ultimate fast action fly rod.

FEATURES

• Blank in aesthetic smoke matte finish.
• High Grade cork handle with cork mix reinforcement
• Triangular 3-pin aluminum reel seat in Gun Metal finish
• Titanium stripper guides
• Black Nickel snake and tip guides
• Rod model inscription and dot mark on ferrules for correct fit on rod sections
• Delivered in a matching aluminum tube and cloth bag

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OPTI GYRE

The Brand new Opti Gyre fly reel is designed for optimized performance for a extensive range of species and fly fishing applications. Features a large arbor spool incorporating a unique V-shape designed for faster, more efficient line retrieval and less line memory. The backbone of the Opti range is the highly effective and immensely strong Power Matrix drag system. This braking system is both totally waterproof and saltwater resistant using the highest standard of componentry including marine grade seals and specialized carbon braking discs. With complete adjustment of tension control, these reels are designed to benefit from the smoothest rotational start-up available in any modern fly fishing reel.

FEATURES

• Housing and spool machined from one piece aircraft aluminium.
• Waterproof and salt tolerant.
• Components in stainless steel and anodised aluminium.
• All screws secured with Loc-Tite.
• Mechanized components from leading European manufacturers.
• Power Matrix Drag System.
• Spool designed with a V-Shape for optimal fly line spooling.
• Easy-grip progressive brake knob.
• Simple, quick spool-change.
• Right or left retrieve a snap.
• Outgoing click
• Precisely counterbalanced.

GDC SINK 5/ SINK 6 
This is a deep water head that truly excels in gaining depth quickly but also maintaining performance casting characteristics to send the fly for distance on the next cast.