
PUKKELLAKS 2025
Pukkellaks (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) or shoulld we call it here Pink as they are called in English...

N aah, I call them Pukkel, Pukke, Ryssälohi, Putler, or what ever. This year on northern Norway, there were lots of expectation for fishing Pukkel, many people did plan their trips to Varangerfjord area where most likely first waves of Pukkel would be caught in sea, coasts lines of beautiful Norway, Vestre Jacobselva, Tana, Neiden etc areas where expecting massive invasion of these fish in late June and early July. This really never happened on the scale lots of people were expecting. Yes there was lots of fish in the end, but not huge waves of fresh fish and they where hard to catch.

I was in Alta region myself, fishing sea trout and some days in Porsanger. I heard first catches coming from Lofoten, Tromso and some odd fish landed in Porsanger as early as 8th of June.
In Alta there where Pukkel landed in Russeluft and Lathar areas in mid June daily. But not big numbers, Varangerfjord area was quiet, too silent if you ask me. I was talking to few friends who live close to it and said also that no fish in the fjords yet. Waiting game was on...I think they still wait :)
Sea trout fishing in Alta, Reisa and Lyngen area was insane that time, I landed more than 120 sea trout in 6 days in Alta. Some odd Pukkel landed there and there, I think first big waves of Pukkel was in more west from Reisa and Lyngen area when it really started going first week in July.
This year the major migration of Pukkel was ( if asked me) more in western parts of Finnmark than in Tana, Neiden or Varanger area. I also headed to more west from Alta, Kvaenengin area and Reisafjord area. Lots of fish every where in early days of July, the peak was in first 2 weeks of July.

Fish where super nice quality and good size. Many fish round 3 kg was landed and many between 1,5 - 2,5kg - so good size over all. Meat quality was super. People everywhere...
Pukkelmania was on!!
And so started the first problems to show up. Sadly this time Vestre Jacobselva closed their fishing in seapool due the illegal fishing and stupid actions of some Finnish fisherman. ( Shame on you bastards) We should all be very humble to get such a warm welcoming from our Norwegian friends to come and fish in Norway. People should respect their waters, rules and behave and be humble so we can continue visit this beautiful place. Take your trash with you and obey the rules. Show some fucking respect.
Anyway, my kids loved fishing Pukkel and it was okey to kill them also, we did release almost 95% of all sea trout, salmon and sea run chars we landed, cause we had Pukkel to fish and eat.

First signs of season to coming to end with fresh fish was in late July, round 25th I think there where still many fish in fjords, but not really fresh anymore, temperatures rise and also river water did warm up close to the 12 degrees C and Pukkel started to run up and rot. The quality of the meet drops super fast and they wont last long even when filed. Meat turns mushy and soft.
It was good fun, we landed a lots of fish, kids landed too, and this is great fun for kids and families to join fishing culture. And great food.

Will write more about my best lures and flies for Pukkel. See u soon.