The River Merikarvia is known as a very certain site to catch fish during the summertime, but it is also worthwhile to fish there during the winter

The extensive stockings made in the summer also guarantee the catch during the winter. It is harder to find the fish, though and the intense coldness may totally ruin your fishing. A mild winter makes it possible to fish in more numerous places. If the winter is cold the only places worth trying and very possibly the only open water areas are found by the Lankoski rapids.

Where to grope?

There are several possible fishing sites in the river; "the hole of Veikko" in the bed of the power plant is one of the most certain plaes to yield catch in the winter. In the natural bed of Lankoski there are several good backwaters suitable for fishing and during the hatching time of certain stoneflies it pays to fish the downmost backwater of this natural bed.

A happy young fisherman!

There are other potential sites like the Puukoski backwater, the backwaters by the Stäävit and Vaadit rapids and the Holmankoski backwater in the center of the municipality. Generally fishing is mostly done in the Lankoski area beacuse the other places are frozen solid and it is impossible to fish.

You can naturally try icefishing. I guess nothing would be more interesting than jigging grayling with a fly or a small balance jig. Anyone icefishing on the river Merikarvia will require a fishing permit just as a flyfisher or an angler. You should be prepared for getting your drill blunt because the current mixes sand into the ice. Ice mixed with sand will quickly wear out your drill. You should also beware drilling all the way down to the bottom.

With what and how?

Streamers, especially zonkers and leaches are worth trying. Naturally also different types of nymphs and larvae work well on the river Merikarvia. You should have at least a number six stick. The tip of the leader should be between 0.25 and 0,30 because a thick tippet will endure more coldness than a thin one. Fishing overalls are a necessity; otherwise the most important gear might get frozen (the live baits? Remark from the editor). Avoid wading to keep yourself out of the heavenly fishing waters. An angler will equip himself with wobblers and spoons not forgetting the jigs. Cold colours like silver, blue/silver and crimson are worth trying. In addition to these we all have our own favourite colours, lures and flies. Let us use them all.

If You feel too warm,
try this in january!

Services

Get your fishing permit from Köffi
(during the winter it costs 40 Fmk per day).
It also pays to ask for accomodation there.

There are a couple of rental cottages at Puukoski
(Niittyniemen lomamökit) with adequate space
even for a larger party.

Info: Köffi
Niittyniemen lomamökit
Kalakierros SFM-toimitus