e t G r u n a n
o n e 7
Zone 7, Vest Grunnan B, is located 23 km from the estuary and is partly double bank. It is a 900-metre beat with an upper pool, a lower pool and beautiful holding water after fast current.
You can fish parts of it from both sides, which gives this zone flexibility and many ways to cover salmon water.
T h e m a g i c l i e s i n h o w t h e d a y b e g i n s , h o w i t e n d , a n d i n t h e m e m r i e s m a d e a l o n g h e w y .
The magic of Zone 7 is movement: fish arriving from fast water, stopping in curves, pockets and deeper channels, and giving the angler several different pools to solve.
It is a beat that feels alive because the water constantly changes pace and shape.
Austnes Experience
h e C h a r c t r o f t h e B e a
The upper pool is fishable from the south side. It starts after fast water and runs in a curve with a channel on the far side of the river.
The lower pool starts on top of a neck after fast water, then settles into a deeper holding pool with a deeper channel on the opposite side.
h y S a l m n o l d H e r e
Salmon hold here because they naturally stop after passing fast water. Big stones, bends and channels give them shelter without taking them out of the current.
The upper pool is especially lovely on low and medium water, while the lower pool offers deeper holding water after the neck.
e s t T i m t F i s h
Fish Zone 7 with confidence when salmon are moving after a rise or when the river has settled into low or medium water on the upper pool.
The lower pool can be valuable whenever fish need a deeper resting place after fast water.
e s t W a t r o n d i t i o n s
Low and medium water suit the upper pool beautifully, especially around the stones and curved channel. With more water, focus on protected lies and softer edges.
The lower pool remains important because depth and channel give salmon security at several levels.
o w t o F s h t h e B e a t
Start by reading which side gives the best angle. In double-bank sections, choose the side that lets the fly swim naturally through the channel and stone lies.
Fish the upper pool first, then treat the neck and lower pool as a separate sequence.
e y H o l d n g W a t e r
The key holding water is after the fast water, around the big stones, in the curve of the upper pool and in the deeper channel of the lower pool.
Salmon often stop shortly after working through fast current, so the first softer water can be extremely important.
o w t o F s h t h e B e a t
Use short, careful coverage around stones before lengthening the cast. Keep the fly swimming across the channel rather than dragging out of the lie too fast.
In the lower pool, slow down and let the fly reach the deeper holding layer.
o c a l F e t u e s a n d H i s t o
Vest Grunnan B has the feel of a classic travelling-salmon beat: fast water, stopping places, channels and pools that reward anglers who understand movement.
Its partly double-bank nature makes it one of the more flexible zones at Austnes.
i g S a l m n o t e n t i a l
Zone 7 has excellent salmon potential because fish stop here after fast water and have several strong holding options.
A big salmon hooked in the channel or among stones can quickly use current and angle, so stay composed and move with care.
i s h i n g u l s
Respect bank access and fish only from permitted sides. Rotate fairly, especially where the best angle is obvious.
Wade carefully around necks, stones and deeper channel edges.
c c e s s , h e t e r a n d P r a c a C o m f o r t
Zone 7 gives anglers a lot of practical fishing in one beat: distance, variety, two pools and several angles.
Prepare for a proper session, move light and let the water decide the pace.