FISHING WITH FRIENDS

 

Featuring Axopar team members: Jan-Erik Viitala, Founding Partner and Dan Uussaari, Group Business Controller

 

Nestled between Sweden and Finland, the Gulf of Bothnia is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea, a fascinating body of water that is slowly becoming narrower and shallower (around 8 mm shallower per year) as the land returns back to its former shape after the last ice age. Most freshwater species of fish thrive in the Gulf of Bothnia due to the low salt content of the water, making pike and perch some of the most important game species for coastal sports fishing.

 

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The Gulf of Finland is the Baltic Sea’s eastern arm, extending between Finland’s south coast and Estonia’s north coast, all the way to Saint Petersburg in Russia.

Finland’s coast boasts the world’s largest archipelago, with an incredible network of tens of thousands of picturesque islands and a strong maritime culture that includes a fierce passion for fishing. Urban lifestyle meets wild nature along the southern Finnish coast, making day fishing an ideal way to kick back and relax after a day at the office.

The region's strong stocks of pike, zander and perch enable year-round fishing, with the highest amount of pike weighing over ten kilos being found in this area. Other species native to the area include sea trout, zander, salmon, Baltic herring, whitefish, burbot, various cyprinids and grayling. Every seasoned angler has a preference for certain methods to land specific species, but most locals report good results with spinners or jigs when fishing for pike and perch, and they’re usually happy to share their tips and tricks with visiting guests.

Passion for the sea
People who share a love of the sea are often bound by a drive to get away from the bustle of urban living and find a quiet spot where they can relax with a rod in hand.

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Known in Sweden as Kvarken, and in Finland as Merenkurkku ("the throat of the sea")

This narrow region in the Gulf of Bothnia is breathtakingly beautiful and is an excellent location to find sea trout, which requires the patience and skill of fly fishing. It is said that sea trout fishing in the High Coast area of Sweden, a World Heritage site, is a secret that more and more people are hearing about each year.

Fly fishing itself is a skill that requires time to master, and most practitioners develop an individual style based on their own experiences and successes. Specialist fly fishing equipment is needed, including rod, reel, lines, leaders and backing, waders to stand in deep water whilst staying dry, and of course flies and lures. Fly casting techniques vary, but in general they differ significantly from casting a weighted line, since a heavier line with a light fly are cast in a loop repeatedly to create the impression of a fly landing briefly on the surface of the water to attract a fish to bite.

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Fly fishing itself is a skill that requires time to master, and most practitioners develop an individual style based on their own experiences and successes.

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Fishing with a friend is an ideal way to kick back and relax after a day at the office.

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Every seasoned angler has preferences, but most locals report good results with spinners or jigs when fishing for pike and perch.

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You can access the best locations by boat, where you can soak up stunning scenery and truly relax.

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Comparing the daily catch with friends, with some good-natured ribbing, is part of the camaraderie that’s normal to anglers.

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Fly fishing itself is a skill that requires time to master, and most practitioners develop an individual style based on their own experiences and successes.

 

Success in fishing is said to be simple – Cast where your prey’s food will be.

Of course fishing isn’t quite as simple as that, but few anglers will tell you that they enjoy fishing as a hobby just for the fish that they catch and take home. No matter which type of fishing you prefer, and what species you are hunting, the positive experience will be magnified if you have the possibility to access the best locations by boat, where you can soak up stunning scenery and truly relax.

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”THERE’S NO LOSING IN FISHING. YOU EITHER CATCH OR YOU LEARN.”

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/ Helsinki, Finland

NORDIC CRAYFISH PARTY

Precious moments shared with friends become a lifetime of memories.
/ Höga Kusten, Sweden

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