Land of the Arctic Char
Miekak, a paradise when fly-fishing for Arctic Char.
I had the opportunity to visit this enchanting area together with my father and an acquaintance “PEO Hedblad”. Even though fishing was going to prove difficult during the week, we enjoyed the grandeur of Nature. Miekak and its surroundings offer spectacular sights apart from the fishing. The terrain can be somewhat demanding and at times you will end up in front of a slope so steep that your only option is to turn back and find another path that will be more secure.
But all this zigzagging in the terrain is still worth the effort once you reach your destination and see the numerous fishing spots. For the duration of a week we met no more than 5 other fishermen by the water, and this even though the camp was filled with experienced fly-fishermen. The area is so vast and includes such a number of beautiful streams and crystal clear lakes that you have all the chances you need to find a place of your own. The fishing camp has boats for rent so you’re not limited to fishing from the shore. These boats also functioned as transportation to more distant fishing spots. Some nice char were tricked by our flies, as you can see on the picture.
We had managed to hit the hottest week of the summer with the disadvantages that comes with it, and subsequently the larger char was absent. Small char and small trout however, took our dry flies in abundance. One night we managed to come in contact with some larger fish, but in our eagerness to catch them we broke several leaders and never caught any real big fish at all.
How big these char or trout really were we’ll never know,
but one morning we met with a happy bunch of guys at the camp that had caught a
nice lb 6 trout. Where? Of course, the same spot that we had lost several big
ones ourselves.
In this picture we are gathered around the coffee pot close by a really nice
fishing spot. Coffee never taste as good as in the mountains.
We soon noticed that a week was just enough for recognisance and that there are enough hot spots in the area to last for several weeks of fishing. We also spent many fishing-hours trekking, just by wanting to find out what was behind the next ridge or the next river bend.
Since the fishing wasn’t at its best during our week in Miekak we remember the stretches at Pieske rapids as the pearl among others. Pieske rapids are the most reputable among the numerous fishing possibilities in the area. From the camp, situated between the lakes Alep Miekak and Lulep Miekak, it is a 40-minute walk to reach the finest spots a short way below the outlet of Lake Pieskehaure. In the picture PEO is fishing a fine section of this stream.
To really enjoy this fishing and trekking combination one should see to that the gear include a pair of good trekking shoes or a pair of rubber boots. Also, include a pair of breathable waders, as the fishing at times requires wading. I myself only had a pair of rubber boots and wished for a pair of waders as some of the rising Arctic char kept right out there beyond my casting ability.
The lower parts of Pieske rapids are fast flowing water with several waterfalls. We had heard of larger fish in some of the deep holes between these waterfalls, but we mostly just walked by. The area with its waterfalls and white water rapids is well worth a visit because of its natural beauty.
At the inlet of Pieske rapids into Lake Alep Miekak, a couple of stone’s throw from the fishing camp, we had several good fishing moments and this makes a good alternative for those reluctant to walk very far.
We had some nice fights with trout, and in this picture I’m fighting one of this trips largest. The trout, weighing lb2, is not that big a fish but it’s nice to know that there still are places with wild fish in its original habitat around the globe.
Flies that proved to work well were small imitations of midge larvae but also well sized caddis imitations were taken by gaping fish mouths. The reputed giant char schools feeding on midge larvae’s were not seen by us, but still, the trip left us with many impressions and good memories.
If you’re thinking about making the trip to Miekak I can sincerely recommend the entire area. Perhaps bringing a tent instead of living at the camp. This would enable you to stay at the many different fishing spots instead of having to walk several kilometres to and from the camp each day. Another tip is to walk up to the Lakes “830” and Njaurkalisjaure, both reputed for their large trout.
You will of course have to put your fear of flight aside as a helicopter lift will be necessary to reach the camp. It is, at least in theory, possible to walk from Tjarnberg but this will require plenty of time and good physique.
Miekak is somewhat on the expensive side, so start saving.