Season recap 2023
Once again thank you! Thank you for following and supporting our Baltic salmon season up north in the Swedish lapland. It means a lot to us.
We were ready for a good season in the last days of may. The big spring had passed and conditions looked good. All water was fishable and we had some fish running early this year. And rumors had it that it was a big fish year!
By the 1st. June first cast was made and no matter how many times you have done it, the first cast in a season is special. In the first days we could thank Kristian for showing us the way. How he did will be a secret between him and the baltic salmon, but wasn’t it for Kristian we did not believe that there was fish in the river. Three big fish in three days at Kengis. What a start and we really believed that the season was going to be a good one and with big fish!
Our Danish friends came with the right mindset! The fly in the water as much as possible. Sleeps on the riverbank and then another round. But already in that week, we kind of got the feeling that something was holding up the fish. Numbers on the counter looked good, but we did not see the same amount of fish as we normally do. Einer ended up having his exercise of a lifetime and when a baltic salmon gives you blood taste in your mouth you know it’s something special. Einer hooked the fish in the top of the Powerline pool and landed it at the very end of Savikuoppa. 500m of battle with a strong fish before it was safely netted by his fishing buddy Thomas. A memory of a lifetime.
The following weeks were difficult. Not many fish showed up and most strikes were from the faster running water. But a lot of smiles and good memories were shared and when your guests rebook after a difficult year, you know that Kengis Bruk is a special place.
Then we started to land fish again, in the fast water. The main run of fish came during week 26, 27 and 28. We still did not have the amount of fish we hoped for, but we knew that swinging the flies at the right place and right time would give some action at some point.
With fish landed in all these weeks and Erik crowning this period with a stunning 119,5cm Baltic fish was incredible. When you travel all the way from the USA with your father and visit Kengis for the second time and go back with a memory like this you have made a story for life.
Stay tuned for a blog only about Erik and his fish of a lifetime.
Then the trout showed up at Kengis. We had a few weeks with some nice trout on land. It is special because the trout is not a fish we have seen in that size and numbers earlier at Kengis. It is good to see them back.
When we got closer to August we knew that the season was going to be difficult. Reality was that this season we would not have the amount of fish we hoped for. In theory it could be a late run in 2023, but in reality it was not like that. We crossed fingers for some fish to stop at Kengis and Andy was the first one to land a grilse in August.
Andy was supposed to visit us years ago, but different things and a pandemic made it impossible for him to travel to Sweden. To witness him landing a fish so far away from home on a trip that has been planned for years is magic.
Michael the king of salmon (Internal competition in the group) ended our season at Kengis regarding landed fish. In a week surrounded by good friends he had that one special fly that made the difference. (There are no special flies) He ended up with two good sized fish from Kengis and what a way to end the season.
The last days were spent with friends, annual crayfish party and the first northern light of the season. Magic days at Kengis Bruk.
After the season is over we realized how few fish entered the river and we now start to investigate the reasons. Maybe we can learn more about the Baltic salmon and get in contact with the authorities to make a plan for this not to happen again. We will do our best to get answers regarding the plans for 2024.
See you in 2024.
Aslak Lund
Lodge manager
