Erik & 119,5 cm

Take a minute and read about Eriks fantastic fish from last year.

We met Erik a few years back when he visited Kengis Bruk with his father and friends.

A young enthusiastic fly fisher that was ready to take on the challenge with a big baltic salmon.

He was sure that he could cast to the other side of the river and that would be no problem! I promised him a big present if he managed to do that. What he did not know was that there are 2-300m to the other bank.

A few days later I asked how things where going with our little challenge. No answer, just a small smile.

He kept casting and years after the reward came.

Enjoy!

I had no idea what kind of fish I was dealing with until it first jumped a few minutes into the fight.  After seeming to cooperate at first, this jump was followed shortly by another before the fish decided to leave the pool for the rapids below.

I was careful to maintain a high rod tip, keeping the line away from the sharp edges of the rocks in the middle of the river while desperately trying to chase the fish downstream by running across rocks and boulders myself.

To my astonishment, I made it down without falling and, more importantly, with the fish still on the end of my line.  I managed to gain a little bit before he took control again, this time making a short run upstream before heading back down.  After a lengthy run the fish decided to turn towards the bank, stopping behind a rock where I was able to hold him until my dad got there with the net.

I pulled the fish to the surface and straight towards the net, letting out a sigh of relief thinking the battle was over.  Unfortunately, my dad was not able to pull the net up in time, and my feeling of relief quickly turned to panic as this mishap caused the fish to freak out and head downstream into fast water once again.  At this point, I was convinced the fish was gone.

 If it was to leave this pool, there was no way to chase, and having just seen the fish up close, I thought it would be impossible to turn it around in the water it was headed to.  I tightened the drag all the way and hoped for the best.

Fortunately, everything held, and just shy of the drop the fish turned and eventually I was able to bring it back into shallower water for the second chance to net it.  Again, the fish was headed directly into the net, but this time, the handle had not been clicked in.  It slid down the net and I watched as the fish bounced off. I thought to myself that this was really how I was about to lose the fish of a lifetime.

The fish made another run downstream, but at this point, he was now in a smaller channel on the side where I could follow.  Not knowing what lay ahead, there was a small pool a short ways down that he stopped in.  My line had wrapped around multiple rocks, but managed to hold up.  Shortly after, I pulled him in for net attempt number 3, and this time, it was a success.

I could not believe what had just happened and that the fish was finally in the net.  After resting for a few minutes and taking some pictures, it was even better sending him back on his way. 

- Erik Barton

See you soon!

Aslak Lund - Lodge manager

Photos: Karl Barton (father)