Says Kyle,
Most of us associate Lapland, Finland, with thick snow, reindeer, and the Northern Lights. While these presumptions aren’t wrong, something very special happens each year in the northern part of the region. Lake Inarijärvi is home to some large native brown trout, and each year these fish migrate upstream to spawn. The Ivalo River and its tributaries are the main waterways these fish move through, and for any “in-the-know” fly fisher, this can be a very exciting time.
Big browns on streamers isn’t something to say no to. So when I got the message, “Hey, keen on a float trip targeting big browns in Finland?” from my friend Rob, there wasn’t much else to say other than yes!
Fast forward seven months, hours of fly tying, countless conversations, and excitement levels through the roof — Rob and I landed at Ivalo Airport. Met by Henri, owner of Oarsman Fly Fishing, we set off on a Finnish adventure that won’t soon be forgotten!
The Mission: To catch migratory brown trout on large streamers while drifting down the Ivalo River.
The Plan: To cover 8–15 kilometers each day, focusing on the areas that Henri and his team believed would hold fish. These trout were migrating upstream, so no two drifts fished the same on a given day — which made the challenge even more exciting!
The Result: Big migratory browns were caught; the power and sheer beauty of these fish were surreal. Resident browns and grayling were also added to the catch list. Who knew that grayling could smash a four-inch streamer?
Five amazing days in the Finnish wilderness — an experience that will be very hard to beat! New friends were made, and a new level of respect and admiration for the Finnish wilderness was unlocked.
Henri and his close friend Keijo were great hosts. Their knowledge of and respect for their home waters was truly inspiring. Thank you to Oarsman for a trip of a lifetime!
Henri with a 48 cm trout, but far larger specimens lurk in the waters…
Kyle originally hails from South Africa but now calls East Sussex home. An extremely proficient angler and fly tyer, he has a real easy going casting style to match an implacable demeanour.
Originally posted by Justin McConville on The River Beckons – fly fishing newsletter.