Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Destination Norway: Experience Trøndelag
Photo: Steinar Johansen
Salmon at the centre of history Gaula Nature Centre, located at Støren by Gaula river, opened in 1996 and acts as a one-stop shop for all tourists wanting to plan a holiday in the area. This includes fishing, accommodation and guided tours. By Pernille Johnsen
The centre provides tourist information for the district while also supporting development for the villages. Most prominently, it manages the salmon in Gaula and houses an exhibition about life alongside the river, displaying 60 kinds of wild species in their element. The exhibition also hosts a screen room displaying salmon in different stages of their life cycle, a source of interest for all age groups. Another fascinating aspect of the exhibition is the historical explanation of old fishing equipment from Gaula, a visual demonstration of how times have changed.
A rich cultural history Gaula is arguably one of the most fruitful salmon rivers in Norway, with 20 to 50 tonnes of salmon being fished in and 64 | Issue 89 | June 2016
around Gaula every year. It was an important source of income and sustenance for the population until the 1800s. Around 1820, wealthy Englishmen arrived to take advantage of the useful waters, as Gaula had reached acclaim abroad as a premier destination for salmon. This resulted in an economic upswing for the district as the Englishmen hired local staff to aid with the salmon acquisition, while local landowners rented out fishing lots. This time was later referred to as the golden age for Gaula, and the economic advantage resulted in farms being expanded and overall growth in the village society. The official summer season launched on 31 May and Gaula Nature Centre is open all summer to cater to visitors’ needs and requests. Extensive information about the rules applying to visiting fishermen is
available online, as are advice and suggestions for the best fishing experiences. A popular tour of the area is the combination of salmon fishing with a visit to the Forollhogna National Park where reindeer roam free. Atlantic salmon, in the rivers in and around Gaula, is available for fishing from 1 June until 31 August. Photo: Trønderbladet
For more information, please visit: www.gaula.no