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Info on the XXIth World Fly Fishing Championship where six teams were guided by Southern Lapland River Guides
Sweden was the host of the 2001 FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Competition in the town of Lycksele, Västerbotten in northern Sweden between 14 and 21 August. Four local clubs together with the Swedish Sportfishing Federation were in charge of all the arrangements. The Southern Lapland River Guides was engaged by six international teams to prepare them for the comp. The championship was fished on three rivers: Vindelälven, Malån and Skeppträskån, and two lakes: Sörsjön and Hocksjön. The competitors fished one beat on each water. The competition sessions were divided into six sections of three hours and each competitor fished five of the six sections. There were two days for official practice: 15 and 16 August. Before that all teams had to prepare on their own for the competition. While all in all ten teams choose local guides for their preparation prior to the competition, the Southern Lapland River Guides were choosen by six teams to help them prepare. The teams were: Australia, Canada, Irland, New Zealand, South Africa and USA. The competition was based in Lycksele which is 1,5 hours drive from Umeå and about 1-1,5 hours drive from the competition rivers. Some of the practice rivers were closer though and especially the teams in Bjurholm with the Southern Lapland River Guides had no longer than one half hour to any practice water First teams arrived, (all transfers and lunch packs within the program)
Sunday, August 5: , Welcome Dinner in Beaver Inn, Bjurholm. Free Fishing in Öre river. The Irish team practiced around Lycksele area for the whole period. Wendsday, August 8: Practice Periods cont. Team USA, Vindelriver. Team Australia, Lögde river, Brook pool. Team New Zealand, Lögde river, Ormagga pool. General
Information on the area for the practice and competition. The
Lycksele/Bjurholm region is perhaps one of Swedish Southern Lapland's
premier trout fisheries. Host
town for the XIX World Fly Fishing Championships
and in the heart of the Swedish Lapland is its main city of Lycksele,
a smallish town with a variety of Across
from there, to the other side of Lycksele, up the densely forested A scenic place at the Gammelgården Fishing Camp These were the Competition Waters Vindelälven, Malån and Skeppträskån, and the two lakes: Sörsjön and Hocksjön. Rivers Vindelälven, Malån and Skeppträskån Set in the semi-mountinous area between the swedish alps and the coast the three rivers are quite different from each other. Malån is a fairly slow flowing river characterized by riffly runs and pools. With a rock and gravel bottom the river provides a mixture of slightly weedy quieter areas and faster rocky broken water supporting both grayling and brown trout. Skeppträskån could be described in similar terms, while Vindelälven is much bigger and stronger with very varying caractaristic. There are fast rocky rapids with pocket waters and pools. In many views a huge, hard fished river and very hard to wade. In August the grayling normally are up and feeding well on a variety of sedges while the brown trout are hunting for prey fish. Best flies include: Super Pupa, Red Tag, Elk Hair Caddis, Streaking Caddis and various nymphs like Hares Ear, also a variety of streamers. Lake
Sörsjön and Lake Hocksjön The much larger Lake Hocksjön has some nice bays and the shorelines and points are inhabited by numerous hefty browns. Best flies for both lakes include: Woolly Worms, Streaking Caddis, Ombudsman, various Nymphs and numerous midge and streamer/lure patterns. Malå River and Skeppträskån and for most of the trout fishing in the other rivers like Öre River and Lögde River: 8.5-9 foot rod, 4/5 weight, floating and intermediate lines (although #6 rods and heavier would suit Lögde better with its huge brownies and also Atlantic salmon and sea trout. (See comments on gear for Vindel River). Vindelälven: 9-9,5 foot rod, 5/7 weight, floating, intermediate and sinking lines. Lakes Sörsjön and Hocksjön: 9-10 foot rod, 6/8 weight line, floating, intermediate, slow sink and rapid sink lines. Fly
Sizes for River Fishing: Dry fly should generally be kept between
size 10 - 14. Fly
Sizes for Lake Fishing: Streamer patterns are recommended in
sizes 6 - 10. There are numerous practice and non competition waters available in each area. Some exemples below: Bjurholm/Lycksele area - the River Örån (Öreälven), Lögde River, The Creek Paubäcken and Wolf River. Åsele/Lycksele area - Lake Rödingträsket. Lycksele/Robertsfors area - The River Rickleå, River Sävarån. Bjurholm/Nordmaling area - the River Hörneå, with some general info here on the area. Sorsele area - upper Vindelriver, the River Laisan, Juktån and Stora Harrträsket. Vindeln/Åmsele
area
- the River Åman, Vindelälven. See you on the waters! Southern
Lapland River Guides: Please observe that the information above about the competition is now outdated. The information reflecting the gear, flies and waters is still valid but mainly for the previous competition areas or similar. However since the area is well known to us and we all work in the area as guides, we would welcome any questions about gear and/or guiding if you like to flyfish with a guide for Atlantic salmon, sea trout or pike too for that matter. Normally we guide for all the flyfishing found in the area which cover both sea and streams, from boat and shore. For programs and costs, please take a look here at The Southern Lapland Riverguides Site 2003. For any questions or further information please mail: Flyfish Welcome to Southern Swedish Lapland, Sweden. |