We’ve just returned from the River Lærdal to put the finishing touches to this, our September issue of In the Loop Magazine. The late King Harald V of Norway was deeply fond of the Lærdal, which he famously referred to as his “second queen,” and he had fished its waters for Atlantic salmon regularly since the age of 15.
King Harald passed away at the age of 89, having caught his last salmon – on the River Lærdal – earlier this year, on June 1. Norway lost a revered and highly respected monarch, and one who was a staunch supporter of the wild Atlantic salmon. Yet during his reign, wild salmon stocks declined dramatically.
When we visited the Lærdal, we sight-fished for sea trout with nymphs and dry flies. That fishery alone is worth the long journey, but if we had been allowed, we would have been fishing for salmon. The sad truth is that there are now hardly any salmon left in what was once King Harald’s favourite river, and salmon fishing has been banned.
For us, visiting the Lærdal was yet another vivid reminder that, unless we stand together and fight for wild fish and the habitats they depend on, future generations may never experience the excitement, challenges and profound sense of connection that make our sport so special.
If you care about the Atlantic Salmon, please like and follow:
https://www.instagram.com/reddvillaksen
https://www.instagram.com/norskelakseelver
https://www.instagram.com/nasfund/
Our 2026 fall-edition features articles from near and far – from the Seychelles and Iceland to Venezuala and New Zealand. We’d like to extend our most sincere gratitude to all the contributors; Steffan Jones, Jakub Kanok, Henry Hooks, Hans Van Klinken, Johan Persson Friberg, Mike Fitzgerald, Rasmus Ovesen, Tarqin Millington-Drake, Martin Ejler Olsen, Barry Ord Clarke, Mattéo Pergent etc…
Enjoy the reading – and tight lines out there!
