While the large amount of rain during the later season spoiled most of the promising start, this year's salmon fishing in the Southern Swedish Lapland area hopefully bodes well for the coming years.

When spring came early and offered excellent fishing conditions with a lot of fish sighted already in May, everybody set great hopes for the season. A lot of small to medium sized fish were caught, and most of thel rivers reported fish around the 9kg (20 lb) mark. Also large numbers of grilse were reported from most of the rivers. But when the sea trout season started at the end of May and produced much less fish than average, the few catches indicated serious problems to come.
The very early spring and initial low water levels was one contributing factor. One other was the constant rain which resulted in flooding which made most of the pools unattainable.

Byskeälven

With an average weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb) for fish caught on the fly - the Byske River is often mentioned amongst the very best of Sweden's salmon rivers. It is also the largest forest river in Sweden, and provides perhaps the most important salmon fishing in this area.
All along its flow from the sources the river descends pretty rapidly, resulting in many rapids, interspersed with slower stretches and tail waters. Like in River Lögde there is also one big fall called Fällforsen which also previously effectively halted the salmon run. Now there is a fish ladder.
The whole river and its tributaries are available for fly-fishing.
The Atlantic salmon run start towards the end of May, with a peak around the 25th of June. The recorded catches fluctuate between 250 and 500 each year.
Byske River is sensitive to spring floods hence early season fishing is made closer to the river mouth. As water levels drop it is possible to follow the fish further upstream. Wading is often necessary. The most common fly size starting the season is a # 2 orange-red fly such as the G P, while later in the season and in warmer water a # 4 to 6 in darker colors are more attractive to the salmon. Later during the autumn the black flies like Glödhäck are good for the improving sea trout fishing.

Catch Statistics 2000: (please note that released fish are not recorded because of the compulsory catch-and-release regulations effective until 18 June).

Atlantic Salmon : 300.
Largest salmon caught on a fly: 17.8 kg (39 lb) and generally better salmon fishing than expected but low average weight, around 4 kg (8.5 lb).
During the season 1,200 salmon passed the salmon ladder at Fällfors..

Sea trout: 100.

Lögdeälven

Lögde River is the southernmost Salmon/sea trout -River in Southern Lapland close to the town of Umeå.
Contrary to many other larger rivers in northern Sweden it normally is not touched by too fluctuating water levels. This normally makes the river ideal for angling most part of the summer season.
Lögde river holds sea trout and Atlantic salmon, brown trout and grayling. The sea trout is locally called "Slåttansbörting" and are 2-5 kilo fish. The spawning runs from the Baltic Sea reach 250 km upstream into the Lögde River.
Since the addition of a working fish ladder (tunnel) the fierce falls of Fällforsen, some 100 km upstream, is no longer a barrier to the spawning migration and has added some 150 km for spawning. Along its way the river runs through a deeply cut valley, with many and often long rapids interspersed with slower, meandering stretches. The light gravel riverbeds in the lower part of the river are similar to those of Norwegian salmon rivers. Further up in the deep woodlands it becomes more and more rocky, with nice pools and tailwaters.
The river valley is very sparsely populated. Access to the river bank is still pretty easy due to the many small roads along both sides of the river. So all in all it is close to a dream water for those who want to fish away from others and discover their own fishing places in the company of a good guide. -Why not a small visit here Photo collection to see some photos.

Catch Statistics 2000: (please note that released fish are not recorded because of the compulsory catch-and-release regulations effective until 18 June).

Atlantic Salmon : 60.
First salmon caugth 20 May Caught and released salmon is estimated at more than 100 fish. Plenty of grilse. Largest reported salmon 11 kg (24 lb).

Sea trout (Slåttansbörting): 150.
Sea-trout fishing slightly below normal. Please note that abnormally high water levels during the summer spoiled the fishing in July and later, largest sea-trout 4.6 kg (10 lb).

Brown trout: below normal, all C&R.

Grayling : many small fish. Biggest 1,2 kg (2,5 lb).

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