Fedje Norway 2025 – A summary report from the festival committee.
The European Sea Angling Championship Fedje 2025 in Norway held 4 th to 9 th August will
unfortunately be remembered as the championship that blew away. We were really reminded that
sea fishing is an outdoor activity and there is nothing we can do once the weather gods have
made their decisions. But they do not rule over good companionship and friendship between the
anglers.
On Saturday 2 nd and Sunday 3 rd August all participants were registered at Fab8, our headquarters.
Everyone got a festival brochure, written info on how to bleed the fish, a list of minimum size,
the boat drawing, a venue bar, festival badge and a nice festival T-shirt.
The Flag raising ceremony and the Welcome reception took place in a large tent on the quay.
Fedje is a small island with appr. 500 inhabitants. Half of the population were there together with
90 competition participants and 15 boat skippers, a very good atmosphere. The Mayor of Fedje,
Stian Herøy, and the chairman of Fedje Havfiskeklubb, Aksel Larsen, welcomed everyone to
Fedje. Then 11 nations presented their flags and the president of EFSA, Marcus Wüest, and the
chairman of EFSA Norway, Geir Solland, declared the Championship open.
Monday morning 4 th August the boats’ departure went smoothly and were out of the harbour
before the scheduled time on their way to the good fishing areas in the Karrahavet.
Unfortunately, the conditions were not optimal on this first fishing day. Low current and a falling
tide made the fishing slow. But even on a day like this, the best total weighed-in was over 70 kilo
and more than 20 fish were 10 kilos or more. 3 ling were over 20 kilos. We completed 4.5 hours
fishing before the Commander, Tore Gismervik, ordered all boats back to Fedje. This was a
correct decision as the wind became noticeably stronger when we were back in port. Total
weighed-in 1,984.75 kilos. Photos will be sent to Thorir Sveinsson, EFSA PR Officer.
Tuesday’s weather necessitated that the fishing to be postponed until Wednesday. Poor weather
continued and again there was no fishing. The Festival Officer, Roar Sandvoll, invited the
national captains to a crisis meeting late Wednesday afternoon. Weather forecasts for the next
few days were presented together with a clear message that good safety at sea was a given. All
the captains had their say and the decision was 100% unanimous, no more fishing this week.
This was a brutal setback for Fedje HK and EFSA Norway who have been working on this event
for almost 2 years. But we as hosts felt worse for all visitors who had spent their free time and
money on an event that is literally blown away.
Prize-giving Ceremony and the Farewell Dinner were brought forward to Friday evening 8 th
August. County Mayor, Jon Askeland, and Fedje Mayor, Stian Herøy, were helpful in handing
out medals, glass trophies and gift prizes. The Prize giving went very well. EFSA President,
Marcus Wüest, of Germany became European Champion 2025. Best Lady was Pat Shortt
(Ireland). Best Senior was Kim Bowden (England). Best National Team Norway B: Aksel
Larsen, Tom Unsgaard, Espen Knarvik, Eivind Johannesen and Roar Sandvoll. Biggest fish was
caught by Gary Galbraith (England) a 28.72 kilos ling. Refer to the results list for other results.
The EFSA flag was handed from Norway to South Africa the traditional way and EFSA
president Marcus Wüest then closed the European Sea Angling Championship Fedje 2025.
Fedje Havfiskeklubb would like to thank all participants for the way they handled this special
week. No critical voices, on the contrary, only kindness and a lot of understanding. And many
expressed a desire to come back to Fedje. And that’s what you should do. You are very welcome
back.
A big thank you to our boat captains:
Nils Arne Sæbø, Kurt Rognevær, Rolf Vik, Frank Stenseide, Svein Arild Aase, Sigurd Vik,
Erling Berland, Bjørn Vidar, Svein Hjønnevåg, Thomas Skaar, Tore Gismervik, Stig M. Halland,
Darius Daniel, Chris M. Erstad, Roar Hermansen.
A big thank-you to our main sponsor Sølvkroken / Nordic Outdoor.
And a big thank you to all our sponsors and partners:
Norsk Fletteri — Matkroken Fedje — Seeberg — Norsk Industri Teknikk — Pure Fishing — Visit
Bergen — Magic Hotel Fedje Fisk og Bo — Leschbrandt — Forus Tann-& Kjeveklinikk — Profil
Supply — Sparebank 1 — Fedje Island — Sotra Not ExploreWest — Bergen Air — John Dahle
Skipshandel — Domstein — Rødne Fjord Cruice — Fedje Ferietun — Okuma — Fedje Kommune —
Fedje Landhandleri — Fedje Havstover — Fedje Rorbuer — Øivind Skreien — Fab 8 v/Solfrid.
And last but by no means least a huge thank-you to everyone on Fedje for their kindness
and helpfulness.
Trophy Winners List Fedje 2025