Sweden has always held a special place in my heart. It’s been my second home for over 30 years. With our roots deeply tied to Sweden at Solid Adventures, this trip felt like a return to where it all began. This time, we would be heading far north into the Swedish Lapland. While most anglers migrate north with dreams of trout or char, we were hunting for something bigger.
With the launch of our new fly tackle brand, Solid Tackle, Rick and I had the perfect excuse to forge into this wild frontier while putting prototype gear to the test. We were armed with early versions of the Solid E-Series reels and S1 rods as we set out for water that sees more fish than people at any time of the year.
A 45-minute helicopter flight dropped us deep into the wilderness, and within moments we were alone…no signal, no noise… just river showers, campfires, the midnight sun and endless water ahead. Our camp, set up by Sinan (Dreamcatcher), sat in the middle of a vast lake district with one clear goal: chasing northern pike in shallow water.
Each morning started with a hike through marshland with gear on our backs. With inflatable boats, pushing them upriver, we’d drag them over rapids until the lakes opened up in front of us. The fishing exceeded our expectations: post-spawn pikes were aggressive, holding shallow and giving proper visuals with every take. We sight fished narrow creeks, spotting follows out of nowhere, and watched eats right at our feet tht kept us in constant action. Several fish measured past the one-meter mark along the way.
Evenings slowed things down, with food over the campfire, a cold beer in hand, and complete silence around us. During Swedish “Midsommar,” the light never really fades. After dinner we’d often grab our 5-weights and fish the river in front of camp and kate caddis flies through fast water, watching grayling rise with those unmistakable red fins.
Up here, you settle into a different rhythm that is shaped by light, water, and the simplicity of it all. Swedish Lapland is one of the last true wilderness areas in Europe, and time spent here has a way of staying with you.
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Contributed By
Felix Hansvencl
Felix began his career in the sports industry, first playing professional soccer for German Bundesliga teams and later overseeing International Business operations at Eintracht Frankfurt. In 2015, he transitioned into the fly fishing world, hosting trips around the globe and working as a lodge manager and guide in various locations. Today, Felix plays a key role at Solid Adventures, focusing on managing destinations, hosting trips, running scouting operations, and serving as the primary photographer for both Solid Adventures and Solid Tackle.
Website: www.solidadventures.com and www.flynature.eu
