Luke Bannister gives us an insight into what he learnt on a recent trip to Sweden
Introduction
Saxnäs is high up in Västerbotten County in Northern Sweden. It is blessed with that wonderful combination of a low population density, beautiful countryside and clean, clear waters.
Much of the fishing is controlled and well managed by the state, there are also large areas controlled by the commune (county/parish). Licenses and maps are readily available from the fishing centre in Saxnäs www.saxnasfishing.se as well as petrol stations and village stores. There is no excuse for not having a ticket.
Area
The Kultsjön has a large catchment with much varied water. It is an open river typified by short, faster flowing sections between lakes. The Kultsjön can produce very big fish to the fly, 4kg + trout are not unheard of.
Streamers and large sedge patterns are favoured by those in the know, those not in the know fished spiders and traditional wets which also seemed to work well, the Kultsjön is well suited to swinging flies.
The Lake sections are not fished as much as the faster sections and I will look forward to trying some loch style fishing next time I visit.
The area also has “special waters” where a limited number of days are permitted each year. These waters are generally more expensive and getting a ticket is something of a lottery. Literally, you must apply for permits and they are allocated by lottery draw.
Tackle
There is such variety of water that you could take any rod you wanted and find water to suit it.
However, most of the small streams are protected as spawning and nursery areas. So there is limited small stream fishing, there is little need for rods under 8ft.
An 8ft 4 wt is probably as light as you need to go, it would make for a nice dry fly rod, but in reality there is usually plenty of space so a longer rod will be more useful.
If you're looking for one rod to rule them all a 9ft 5wt would be very hard to beat.
However if like most of us you'd like to take a couple of rods, I found a 10ft 4wt to be excellent at pretty well everything. Although on the more exposed and windy waters the 9ft'er would be a more comfortable rod.
And if you intend to go after the big fish with streamers a 9ft 6in 7wt will be adequate If you fancy taking a small spey rod it certainly would not be out of place on the Kultsjön.
Tactics
Again you can pretty well find water to suit your preferred method of catching fish.
There are slow meandering rivers that resemble English chalk streams, only clearer and without the stockies, that can provide excellent stalking oppotunies.
There are faster free stone rivers that suit everything from New Zeland style to Czech and French nymphing techniques.
The lakes are well-suited to the traditional methods and probably see the least fishing pressure.
Do bear in mind the water clarity, which can take a little getting used to, on most of the rivers and lakes the water is clear, that's it, just clear, you can see as far as the surface wave and current will allow, with the sun behind you 15ft to 20ft visibility is common so long leaders are the way to go.
However with a little thought and a carefully approach a 12ft leader is long enough, do remember that there is often wind and there is little point fishing a leader that does not fully turn over.
Saxnas is a way north so the season is short and sharp, there is 24 hour day light in high summer so you have to opportunity to literally fish until you drop. A certain amount of self-control is advised....
The fishing starts when the ice goes, there is a closed season on rivers from 15 Sept to 15 Oct and on lakes from August 20 through Sept 20.
The main hatches of caddis and mayfly are around mid-summer although they will go on as long as there is warmth. And late summer (early August) has a particular charm.
With the exception of the Kultsjön much of the fishing is away from the road so expect to walk at least a little. The majority of the fishing we did was within 30 minutes of the car, the longest we walked was perhaps an hour, and that was truly worth the effort.
Wading in general is easy although obviously care should be taken. You are very much responsible for your own safety and as with any remote area, if no one knows where you are, you will take a lot of finding.
Conclusion
The high road that runs from Sweden to Norway is a mixed blessing.
Without it getting to the area would be a major undertaking, and it would remain completely unspoilt.
With it people can easily access the area and its fishing.
It may not be untamed wilderness, but it is an area of simple beauty and relaxed wilderness, to be able to fish in such a place is a rare thing these days. The quality of light in particular up in the mountains seems almost prehistoric, it has a way of softening around 6pm fooling you in to thinking that the evening is coming the fishing is about to end, and there it stays, the soft glow of evening until gone midnight.
With a little planing you could leave England in the morning and be casting to rising browns late the same day.
Contacts
Saxnas is a remarkable place, much of its water is very fishable and the system of managing it is simple and effective.
If you went for a month and fished a different place each day you would not scratch the surface. A week would allow you enough time to get a feel for the area and start planning your return trip.
A few minutes on Google earth will give you a hint of the area's potential.
For more info take a look http://www.saxnasfishing.se/index.php/en/eng
contact them at info@saxnasfishing.se
Luke Bannister is a bamboo rod maker, instructor and guide based in Cornwall. Visit his site by clicking HERE