Simojoki Introduction

A comprehensive fly-fishing experience in Finnish Lapland

(Original article www.tietoaperhokalastuksesta.fi)

If you are a passionate fly fisherman or simply curious to explore new fishing opportunities, then this article is for you. Simojoki, located in Southern Lapland in Finland, offers a comprehensive fly-fishing experience that combines stunning landscapes, beautiful waters, and unique fishing opportunities

Fly Fishing in Simojoki river

Simojoki is an untamed, natural river and one of the few free-flowing rivers in Northern Europe. At the same time, it is known as one of Finland’s few and most prestigious salmon rivers. The river has its own unique salmon and grayling population. Simojoki’s mouth and its backwaters, as well as nearby lakes, also offer excellent opportunities for pike and perch fishing.

Simojoki has its own and Finland’s only naturally reproducing salmon population. Thousands of salmon migrate to the river annually, traveling mainly about 40 kilometres from the river mouth to their spawning grounds. According to catch statistics, the average weight of salmon ranges from 7 to 8 kilograms but over 10 kilograms are not rare. Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area is one of the best salmon fishing spots on the river. Nearby are also all the other well-known spots on the river, such as Hanskankoski, Hömmönkoski, and Louhelankari. Read more about the best fishing spots here.

In addition to salmon fishing, Simojoki offers excellent spots, especially for grayling fly-fishing. Grayling can be found along the entire length of the river, but the fishing gets better above Lapinkoski towards the top waters. Besides salmon and grayling, the backwaters of Simojoki and the surrounding waters are also a heaven for pike fishing. Fishing for pike with a guide on the river mouth and nearby lakes is a versatile and fantastic experience, especially when fishing from a boat.

The beautiful environment and diverse fish populations make Simojoki a popular destination for both domestic and international anglers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fly-fisher, Simojoki offers a wonderful and unique fishing experience.

Fly-Fishing in Simojoki river

Simojoki is an untamed, natural river and one of the few free-flowing rivers in Northern Europe. At the same time, it is known as one of Finland’s few and most prestigious salmon rivers. The river has its own unique salmon and grayling population. Simojoki’s mouth and its backwaters, as well as nearby lakes, also offer excellent opportunities for pike and perch fishing.

Simojoki has its own and Finland’s only naturally reproducing salmon population. Thousands of salmon migrate to the river annually, traveling mainly about 40 kilometres from the river mouth to their spawning grounds. According to catch statistics, the average weight of salmon ranges from 7 to 8 kilograms but over 10 kilograms are not rare. Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area is one of the best salmon fishing spots on the river. Nearby are also all the other well-known spots on
the river, such as Hanskankoski, Hömmönkoski, and Louhelankari. Read more about the best fishing spots here.

In addition to salmon fishing, Simojoki offers excellent spots,
especially for grayling fly-fishing. Grayling can be found along the entire length of the river, but the fishing gets better above Lapinkoski towards the top waters. Besides salmon and grayling, the backwaters of Simojoki and the surrounding waters are also a heaven for pike fishing. Fishing for pike with a guide on the river mouth and nearby lakes is a versatile and fantastic experience, especially when fishing from a boat.

The beautiful environment and diverse fish populations make Simojoki a popular destination for both domestic and international anglers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fly-fisher, Simojoki offers a wonderful and unique fishing experience.

Best Time for Fishing

Salmon

Fly-fisher can enjoy fishing in Simojoki all year round. Especially the beginning and the end of summer are the best times for salmon fishing. Midsummer week is often one of the best early season weeks for salmon fishing. Depending on the yearly weather, especially if it’s raining and not too hot, salmon fishing in July can also be very good. When the nights get little cooler in August, salmon fishing goes better towards the salmon season end 31st of August. The first resident fish
guides the movements of the new rising salmon in the river, revitalizes the river and possibly improves the chances of hooking salmon.

Pike

The best open water season for pike fishing starts at the beginning of May. Early spring and autumn are excellent times for big pike fishing in the area. Open water pike season continues until the water gets frozen, usually late October or early November.

Grayling

Simojoki is also a very good destination for grayling anglers thanks to the healthy grayling population. Grayling can be found along the entire length of the river, but the fishing gets better above Lapinkoski towards the top waters. Grayling fishing season continues late Autumn. Midsummer nights are also a beautiful time to wade behind the grayling!

Fly-fisher can enjoy fishing in Simojoki all year round, but
especially early summer and early autumn are the best times for salmon fishing. The beginning of the season, from late May to the end of June, is usually the most favourable time for salmon fishing. Midsummer week is often one of the best weeks of the early season. Fishing in July depends largely on the water temperature and where and how you fish. The first
resident fish guides the movements of the new ascending salmon in the river, revitalizing the river and potentially improving the chances of hooking a salmon.

Harnessing the Expertise of Fishing Guides

For inexperienced fly-fisher, Simojoki may be a challenging place to fish, and especially when fishing for salmon, so using a guide is more than recommended. Utilizing a guide for a day or two significantly increases the chances of success. Guides who have spent a lot of time on the river play an important role in advising on where and how to fish during different times of the season.

Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area

Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area is a unique fly-fishing
destination and a tranquil holiday spot on the banks of the flowing Simojoki River in Alaniemi area. Lapinkoski is easily accessible from Kemi-Tornio, Oulu, or Rovaniemi airports and serves as an excellent stopping point for those traveling to Sweden or Norway.

The beautiful Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area features a 400-meter-long stunning beach, which is a fantastic fly-fishing spot. In addition to new and high-quality cottages, the area includes a spacious landscape hut with a kitchen, fireplace, boat launching area, and a charming beach sauna.

Quality and Diverse Fishing Tourism

Lapinkoski is a responsible company investing in fishing tourism, offering accommodation and fishing services for quality-conscious domestic and international customers in Simojoki and its surrounding areas. The fishing destinations of Iijoki, Kemijoki, and Tornionjoki are all easily accessible from Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area. During the winter, Lapinkoski offers a great base for ice fishing and snowmobile trips. Additionally, the area is popular among foreign aurora borealis seekers.

Fishing Guide Services

Lapinkoski offers fishing guide services for those who want to
experience the fantastic fishing opportunities at their best.
Professional fishing guides are knowledgeable local experts who know the rivers and lakes of the area like the back of their hand, so using their services is highly recommended.

Fishing guides provide diverse fishing experiences for both beginners and experienced anglers. Whether you are interested in salmon, trout, grayling, or pike fishing, fishing guides will guide you to find the best fishing spots and techniques to achieve the best possible outcome. Whether it’s a day trip or a longer fishing holiday, Lapinkoski’s fishing guides ensure that a fishing trip is an unforgettable experience.

Fly-Fishing Courses

For several years, Lapinkoski has organized popular salmon fly-fishing courses for beginners and advanced fly-fisher. The courses are suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers who want to deepen their skills and learn new techniques. In addition to popular salmon fly-fishing courses, Lapinkoski organizes both general and private fly-fishing courses, including accommodation in Lapinkoski’s high-quality cottages.

The guides of Lapinkoski’s fly-fishing courses are experienced and skilled fishing guides specializing in salmon fly-fishing, especially with double-handed fly-fishing rods. They enthusiastically share their knowledge and experiences, so that each participant can learn as much as possible and receive the greatest benefit from the course. Whether it’s a short course or a longer fishing holiday, Lapinkoski’s fly-fishing courses offer unforgettable experiences and the opportunity to develop as an angler in the stunning landscapes of Finnish Lapland.

Best Time for Fishing

Salmon

Fly-fisher can enjoy fishing in Simojoki all year round. Especially
the beginning and the end of summer are the best times for salmon fishing. Midsummer week is often one of the best early season weeks for salmon fishing. Depending on the yearly weather, especially if it’s raining and not too hot, salmon fishing in July can also be very good. When the nights get little cooler in August, salmon fishing goes better towards the salmon season end 31st of August. The first resident fish guides the movements of the new rising salmon in the river, revitalizes the river and possibly improves the chances of hooking salmon.

Pike

The best open water season for pike fishing starts at the beginning of May. Early spring and autumn are excellent times for big pike fishing in the area. Open water pike season continues until the water gets frozen, usually late October or early November.

Grayling

Simojoki is also a very good destination for grayling anglers thanks to the healthy grayling population. Grayling can be found along the entire length of the river but the fishing gets better above Lapinkoski towards the top waters. Grayling fishing season continues late Autumn. Midsummer nights are also a beautiful time to wade behind the grayling!

Fly-fisher can enjoy fishing in Simojoki all year round, but especially early summer and early autumn are the best times for salmon fishing. The beginning of the season, from late May to the end of June, is usually the most favourable time for salmon fishing. Midsummer week is often one of the best weeks of the early season. Fishing in July depends largely on the water temperature and where and how you fish. The first resident fish guides the movements of the new ascending salmon in the river, revitalizing the river and potentially improving the chances of hooking salmon.

Harnessing the Expertise of Fishing Guides

For inexperienced fly-fisher, Simojoki may be a challenging place to fish, and especially when fishing for salmon, so using a guide is more
than recommended. Utilizing a guide for a day or two significantly increases the chances of success. Guides who have spent a lot of time on the river play an important role in advising on where and how to fish during different times of the season.

Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area

Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area is a unique fly-fishing destination and a tranquil holiday spot on the banks of the flowing Simojoki River in Alaniemi area. Lapinkoski is easily accessible from Kemi-Tornio, Oulu, or Rovaniemi airports and serves as an excellent stopping point for those traveling to Sweden or Norway.

The beautiful Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area features a 400-meter-long stunning beach, which is a fantastic fly-fishing spot. In addition to new and high-quality cottages, the area includes a spacious landscape hut with a kitchen, fireplace, boat launching area, and a charming beach sauna.

Quality and Diverse Fishing Tourism

Lapinkoski is a responsible company investing in fishing tourism, offering accommodation and fishing services for quality-conscious domestic and international customers in Simojoki and its surrounding areas. The fishing destinations of Iijoki, Kemijoki, and Tornionjoki are all easily accessible from Lapinkoski Fishing and Recreation Area. During the winter, Lapinkoski offers a great base for ice fishing and snowmobile trips. Additionally, the area is popular among foreign aurora borealis seekers.

Fishing Guide Services

Lapinkoski offers fishing guide services for those who want to
experience the fantastic fishing opportunities at their best. Professional fishing guides are knowledgeable local experts who know the rivers and lakes of the area like the back of their hand, so using their services is highly recommended.

Fishing guides provide diverse fishing experiences for both beginners and experienced anglers. Whether you are interested in salmon, trout, grayling, or pike fishing, fishing guides will guide you to find the best fishing spots and techniques to achieve the best possible outcome. Whether it’s a day trip or a longer fishing holiday, Lapinkoski’s fishing guides ensure that a fishing trip is unforgettable
experience.

Fly-Fishing Courses

For several years, Lapinkoski has organized popular salmon fly-fishing
courses for beginners and advanced fly-fisher. The courses are
suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers who want to deepen their skills and learn new techniques. In addition to popular salmon fly-fishing courses, Lapinkoski organizes both general and private fly-fishing courses, including accommodation in Lapinkoski’s high-quality cottages.

The guides of Lapinkoski’s fly-fishing courses are experienced and
skilled fishing guides specializing in salmon fly-fishing, especially
with double-handed fly-fishing rods. They enthusiastically share their knowledge and experiences, so that each participant can learn as much as possible and receive the greatest benefit from the course. Whether it’s a short course or a longer fishing holiday, Lapinkoski’s fly-fishing courses offer unforgettable experiences and the opportunity to develop as an angler in the stunning landscapes of Finnish Lapland.

Equipment Rental and Sales

Lapinkoski sells and rents high-quality fly-fishing equipment, boats, and other fishing gear to its customers. The range includes equipment, used and recommended by guides from quality brands such as Guideline, Hardy, Greys, and Royal Wulff.

 From Lapinkoski, you can also rent a riverboat with a trailer or even sit-on-top fishing kayaks for pike fly-fishing on Simojoki or nearby lakes. Read more here.

Lapinkoski is committed to supporting restoration efforts in the Simojoki watershed and a clean future.

Jussi Kesonen, the entrepreneur of Lapinkoski, says: “My goal is to support the clean future of the unique Simojoki through Lapinkoski. Our company aims to raise funds for the restoration of the Simojoki watershed and the well-being of the fish population, especially wild salmon, which are directly targeted for the benefit of the river. Lapinkoski is involved in supporting restoration efforts in the Simojoki watershed. For example, the proceeds from the popular Lapinkoski Trucker Cap hats in the 2023 season were directed, in full, through WWF to the benefit of wild salmon in Simojoki via the Forest Streams program. Our collection will continue in future seasons, and we aim to expand the product range whose proceeds are directed to the benefit of the Simojoki watershed and its wild salmon. We also encourage other local companies and organizations to join in protecting the wild salmon of Simojoki and developing restoration efforts.

Simojoki is a unique destination for all the fly-fisher, offering stunning landscapes and diverse fishing opportunities. Fishing in Simojoki is possible in a unique way in a natural environment, and its salmon population is known as one of Finland’s most prestigious. Overall, fly-fishing in Simojoki offers a wonderful opportunity to experience a unique nature experience and enjoy the joy and relaxation that fishing brings. Lapinkoski’s accommodation and fishing services complement this experience by offering professional guidance and unforgettable fishing experiences for all fishing enthusiasts.

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