Digging for Coalfish - Bring Your Camera |
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Bring Your CameraI found Rost to be a very small, relatively flat island in the Lofoten Islands chain that extends into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northern Norway. It exists principally as home base to commercial cod fishermen, where vast numbers of cod are dried on wooden racks and exported mainly to Italy. The picturesque racks can be seen all over the island. Bird-watchers flock to the Lofoten Islands and many base themselves at the regional center of Svolvaer. Nowhere in Norway will you be able to see more nesting sea birds and at times orcas and other whales. Whilst Rost’s remote beauty cannot be denied, I couldn’t get over the stunning Norwegian coastline and its many fjords jutting into the mainland. Hiring a car at Bodo and exploring the coast is a good option. Towering snow-capped mountains often seem to plunge straight into the sea, and from the end of May to the end of July it never gets dark – the Midnight Sun allows for plenty of picture opportunities. The whole coast of Norway is serviced by large numbers of ferries and cruise liners out of ports such as Bergen and Tromso, and I can’t think of a better way of accessing these stunning waters. The famous and spectacular Trollfjord should definitely be on your must list to visit. Near to Bodo is Saltstraumen, home to some of the fastest tides in the world. A staggering sight to see, the tides here have been clocked at over 20 knots – every six hours, vast quantities of water rush through this three-mile sound that connects Saltenfjord to Skjerstadfjord. The resulting whirlpools can sometimes be over 10 meters across and five meters deep. 
Where To Toss The BagsThe most dependable travel plan involves flying into Oslo and then to Bodo. A ferry from Bodo takes you right to Rost. Fishing will be best from the start of May through mid-September. One would tend to visit Rost for the fishing due to its easy accessibility from the mainland. Whilst a couple of guesthouses can be found on the island, personally I would stay at the excellent fishing camp/lodge set-up on Rost offered by guides from the Swedish company WildWater Fishing. These highly competent, English-speaking guides offer chartering services or rental boats, plus full-board accommodation and all meals. I found the rooms to be warm, clean and perfectly suited to fishermen. I enjoyed uninterrupted views from the fishing camp over the water, and boats stay moored right below for easy access. Full fish-cleaning facilities, freezers and a drying room exist for guests. You won’t need to hire a car at Rost, with foot travel sufficient or a cheap ferry service that connects Rost and the other Lofoten islands to the mainland at Bodo. WildWater Fishing (www.wildwater.se) can provide all rods, reels, lures and thermal floatation suits, and fly fishers will want to haul along their own tackle. The mainland overflows with hotels, guest houses and fishing camps, plus you can visit numerous world-famous salmon rivers such as the Alta, Gaula, Stjordal and Namsen. Norway is so famous particularly for one specific kind of music – black metal, which I love. Hammerfest claims to be the most northern town in the world and it’s a great place if you want to visit in winter to see the world famous Aurora Borealis. Try your hand – or legs – at summer skiing around Tromso, north of Bodo. Both these towns are serviced very regularly by flights from the capital of Oslo. Other Notes of InterestAbout Norway:For additional facts visit: www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/no
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