Fishing in Lapland

 The north of Finland or Lapland offers very varied flyfishing. There are many rivers and smaller lakes quite evenly scattered. While looking at any road-map there seems to be less water available in Lapland than in southern Finland, but it comes in more manageable and productive form for the flyfisher. Many rivers there are long but quite shallow by Finnish standards. Some are very big, but most are on the smaller side, which usually means easy casting and good opportunities for flyfishing. Banks are often densely bush-covered and overhung, bottoms can be tricky at places. In many lower areas you find extensive marshlands and the northernmost part of the country is arctic tundra where reindeers roam.

Fine stillwater-fisheries can also be found in Lapland. If you look at the map, you see one very big lake (Inari) and countless smaller ones in this area. Some of the best rivers have reasonably easy access, but as the rule you have the choice between some walking and flying for the best fishing. The latter service is not available everywhere and can be quite expensive.
Central and southern Lapland is mostly densely wooded with lots of wet marshlands all over. Many rivers have a slight brownish tinge even when the water is low but they have remained unpolluted.

The big River Kemijoki with its numerous tributaries dominates this area. The huge main river is regulated for hydro-power, but most of the tributaries have good fishing. Kairijoki is one of those and notable for having one of the few operating fishing lodges (Kairiver). This is mostly grayling country, but some fine trout fishing is available. Most even slightly remote brooks have populations of small trout and grayling, which can provide exciting and demanding sport on the lightest of tackle. Grayling and whitefish dominate also most of the stillwater fisheries.

As a basic rule, fish in the north are not very educated and are easily fooled even with less accurate imitations. Small flat-winged flies, stoneflies, midges, mayflies and crane flies and their imitations, wet or dry, are important, usually something black and small (imitating various Diptera-species) works well enough. Small streamers imitating minnow take many trout. Light tackle is recommended, AFTMA-class 4 or 5 will most often do nicely. The fishable season is short: from Midsummer to late August, early September with a push. Prices for all fishing are reasonable or downright cheap. Access is not too difficult as old logging roads often lead to the main fishing areas.

In the northwestern arm of Lapland the country is higher (up to 1 000 meters/ 3 000 feet), very few bigger trees grow there and the water is clearer and colder than in the south. The same applies to the very north tip of Lapland and also to the northeast wilderness area except that there the elevation is generally lower. All of these areas are mostly above the timberline, so Arctic birch is about the only tree that manages. The climate is somewhat unpredictable but summer snow is not common and sometimes it even gets quite warm, over 25°C.

Lake Inari is a very fine lake fishery but due to its size it's difficult to fish properly with fly-tackle. Trolling is the most productive and sensible method here. Arctic char and grayling are the main species, trout fishing is concentrated around Lake Inari. Several rivers feed this cold lake and most of these have runs of spawning trout late in the season. Salmon flies and streamers work for these fish but otherwise it's shrimps, crane flies and various midge-imitations that are good flies to have with you. Access can be more difficult than in south Lapland, but the terrain is not too rough in most parts. Many of the highest char lakes remain ice-covered well past Midsummer leaving only July and August for the fishing season. However, these lakes remain popular winter ice-fishing destinations although the ice can be up to 1,5 meters (5 feet) thick.

The worst nuisance, when fishing in Lapland is the same thing that haunts all arctic areas: the biting insects, mosquitoes, horse flies and black flies. They can be a real nuisance especially during hot weather and high summer, that means most of July. Bring bug nets and repellents with lots of DEET, you'll probably suffer anyway but these make life a little easier. At it's best the fishing is worth suffering any number of bugs. The strongest lure to go up there is the possibility to have fabulous fishing around the clock; the Midnight Sun can be seen shining for many weeks in the north of Lapland. A very fascinating, although somewhat weird experience.
 

Recommended rivers:

 -Juutuajoki; a big but rather short one flowing into Lake Inari, very fine for sizeable grayling, traditional place for big trout at late season, some whitefish, easy access, limited number of rods, special season, reserve your fishing well in advance, Forest and Park Service runs this place
-Ivalojoki; close by to Juutua, longer, slower current, boat-transport to upper river available, trout, grayling, some big ones, may be difficult, special regulations, F.P.S.-river mostly
-Meltausjoki; tributary to Kemijoki north from Rovaniemi, trout and grayling in wilderness-setting, F.P.S. and private waters for 50 kilometers, hike and/or boat access, very affordable
-Lätäseno; a long, medium sized tributary to the previous system, northwest Lapland, walk or fly to the upper river, fine grayling & almost everything else, many of the best char lakes are situated high in this river-system, F.P.S.-river
-Nuorttijoki & Luttojoki; medium sized, eastern Lapland, takes some walking, lots of grayling and smaller trout, very fine trout with some luck, F.P.S.-rivers, both flow through big wilderness and National Park area, which has also other good rivers, close to and crossing the Russian border
-Näätämöjoki; NE Lapland, crossing over the border to Norway, mainly salmon in the lower reaches, fabulous grayling fishing in the upper part, which is fly only, pure wilderness area, walk or boat, also ATV- and flying services available, another F.P.S.-river