The Challenge of the Salmon 1

This topic is now in two parts - Go to: Other salmon rivers

River Teno    2004 fishing regulations for Teno here: Teno Fishing Rules

However famous those old imperial fishing grounds may ever be, flyfishing for salmon equals River Teno for most Finnish anglers. Indeed, few rivers, if any, in the world can be compared to this arctic Finnish-Norwegian border river in the northernmost Lapland. Teno (or Tana in Norway, Deädnu for the local Lapps) is a very big river in its lower reaches and most often fished by harling with big (around 2/0) but lightly dressed classic salmon flies. Local shopkeepers, guides and almost anyone else knows usually well the fly of the season as most of the life in the Teno-river valley rotates around salmon. Fishing from the bank (by wading) can also be very successful, as many fish run not too far from the bank. Most of the catch for bank fishermen will consist of grilse, but there is always the chance for the big one. Perhaps the most popular place for angling is by the swift rapids of Alaköngäs (Storfossen), downstream from Utsjoki. The gravelly islands and shallow channels situated below the big rapids are the most productive area in the whole river. Other areas receive relatively little pressure and can provide great moments for the skilled angler.

Salmon run starts just before Midsummer and last to late August (season ends last of August), bigger fish coming in first in small groups and the bigger schools of grilse following after. Each year many of the best fish pass the magical 20 kilos (44 lbs) mark with fish of 10 kilos (22 lbs) being common. Every now and then fish up to 30 kilos (67 lbs) get caught, sometimes close to the world record Teno-fish of 35,89 kilos (79,8 lbs). So it's a big river (in fact the word Teno translates as "the big river") with lots of big fish, which spells stout tackle.

Long (15'-18') two-handed rods are recommended together with matching reels loaded with AFTMA 10-12 floating or sinking lines. Of course lots of strong backing will be needed. Naturally there are many areas where lighter tackle can be employed. The main border tributary, Inarinjoki south of Karigasniemi, is a good one to try with singlehanded rods and even with dry-flies. As a rule, all other tributaries both in Norway as well as in Finland remain closed to the visiting angler.

Access to Teno is very good with paved roads running along both banks for most of the length of the river. The scenery is strikingly beautiful and the river cold and clear on its gravel bed. Special riverboats can be hired, you'll need a local rower/guide to work the boat while you fish. There has evolved a special, (mostly) unwritten but beneficial rule about fishing and motoring practices that is wise to follow. The special Teno-license is good for the whole river in the border area and at less than 100 FIM can be called very cheap considering the quality of the fishing. License for boat-fishing (harling) has been twice as expensive as fishing from the bank.

This river belongs to the special northern Fishing Card area as explained in Fishing . The number of daily rods is not limited but the river is very long and you can always find quiet stretches. The fishing regulations were renewed some years ago and there are no longer any hook size limitations or restriction of the number of fishing days. While fishing from the bank spinning is allowed only in a couple of very limited areas, otherwise it is fly only. Some days are still closed to all fishing in order to allow more fish in the upper river. There is also some sea-trout fishing in late summer and the grayling stocks are just superb.

These following addresses will be of use when fishing the Teno-river. They offer accommodation, licenses and other services. There are several other operators along the whole length of the river.

Here are all the accommodation etc. services in the Utsjoki municipality: For phone numbers add international access code + 358 (Finland) and drop the first 0. Prepare for non-english speaking service :-)

http://www.utsjoki.fi/myrity-f.html 

Other salmon rivers: Salmon part 2