My fellow blogging pal Simon is a really talented artist (Check out: BPF#3). His fly tying skills, and blogging skills are only matched by his enterprising spirit. In addition to having a passion for fly fishing in common, we are also both living abroad and trying to take advantage of every moment! Simon is an English born South African, but lives on Replot Island in Finland. (Hoe gaan dit, Simon?) I guess we’ve both exchanged hemispheres, but I have to give him credit for standing up to the cold. I don’t envy him that, but I do envy his access to Northern Pike on a regular basis.

So when I saw the news about the the Kvarken International Pike Fly-Fishing Tournament, I thought, no way – too far, besides, my blog is about Sport Fishing Americas, not Scandinavia! So why did I then find myself checking my calendar? Hmmm…. I will be working in Africa and Asia around that time. Perhaps I could just pop-in. It’s only 3 days after all, my wife would understand, right? But then I noticed a real problem. Team America is “ilman varusteita!” (I think that’s Finnish for “no team“.) I mean, it wouldn’t be a very good way for them to kick off the first ever tournament of this kind with one overconfident American out-fishing all those old-world fly fishermen alone. At least we should try to keep up appearances right? Of course, if anyone wants to meet me in Kvarken, don’t hesitate to let me know!

6 Countries will battle it out for Piking Glory over 3 intense days.

America | Holland | England | Scottland | Ireland | Sweden | Finland

The tournament will be held on Replot island which is situated in the famous Kvarken World Natural Heritage Site from the 10th – 13th May 2010, & is the 1st international pike fly tournament ever to be held in Finland. The waters around Replot island are very special waters indeed. In fact the entire area and western coastline is aptly named pike paradise by the Ostrobothnian fishing association.

During spring time here, thousands upon thousands of pike can be found spawning in the shallow bays & as the area is found smack bang in the middle of the Baltic sea, water temperatures stay far cooler than closed waters like lakes, and so fishing is prevalent all through the season, from early April – late November when the sea freezes over.

As well as the prolific fishing this area has, It also has an extremely diverse set of fauna & flora. 24 endemic plant families are found on the shores of the Baltic sea, of which 16 are only found in the Kvarken Archipelago. Replot’s fauna is equally impressive with over 126 species to be found here such as Skuas, Black Guillemots, Eider ducks, Razerbills, White tailed eagle,Crane,Ural & Great Grey Owls & the endangered Scaup. Elk,White tailed deer,Bear,raccoon dog,Fox,Otter all live on the island as well.

The area is wild & rugged with over 2000 islands & skerries to fish between and around With Vision fly fishing, Eumer tube & Baltic pike flies as well as several co-operation partners from the island involved, it promises to be a fly-fishing tournament like no other.