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Most fisheries stock their waters, all use fingerlings, some takeable sized fish, too. Stocked rainbow trout can be found in a few places but most of the fish are brownies. These fish differ quite a lot from their river-dwelling brothers elsewhere. They forage in the lakes eating baitfish (smelt, bleak or small whitefish) and grow fast to a good size. These lake dwellers do not only spawn in rivers and rapids, but they also move in from the lakes during the whole season to enjoy easy prey: smelt, sculpin, bleak, perch and of course the various insects. Most of the lakes are not suitable for flyfishing but trolling is popular. In April and May months it's still springtime with high and rather cold water. Fishing can be excellent after the long, hard winter but usually sinking lines and heavy nymphs and streamers will be needed. June and July come with clearing waters and warmer weather. Great numbers of bleak move in from lakes to rivers in early June and the biggest trout follow after. All methods imitating the various phases of caddisflies can be used successfully after Midsummer and the essential wading is much easier. In late July and early August it is often quite hot and trout tend to get a bit sluggish. Night fishing is then the best choice. Late August and September mean lower water and warier fish but also big pre-spawners that move in from lake areas.
Caddisflies of many species are extremely abundant and very big hatches (often late in the evening or close to midnight) take place from mid-June on until the end of the season. Some late species are fairly big, which allows large dries to be used (up to size 4). Skate these bushy flies across potential lies and you will not be disappointed. Emerging caddis pupa imitation (sizes 14-10) is also a very effective fly. Generally, fish deep but do not shy away from the fastest water, although the biggest fish will probably be in the slower, deeper pools. As most of these central Finland fisheries have wide stretches of fast, stony water with big and powerful fish, I'd recommend longish rods (9' or so) for lines 5-7. Most of the best fisheries have limited the number of daily rods, so you have to reserve your fishing well in advance. The cost is higher than anywhere else in the country, but usually the fishing is worth the price. Access is usually very good and passable accommodation is available nearby. Conditions tend to be quite civilized but hardly artificial. This is still countryside, pleasant and easygoing area. The Finnish word "koski", which means rapids or other stretch of fast water,
occurs often.
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