A description of the Aby and Kage Rivers in Sweden - smaller salmon and sea trout rivers in the vicinity of the Byske.
The Aby and Kage Rivers are smaller salmon and sea trout rivers in the vicinity of the Byske (Sweden).
The Kagealv (or Kage River) flows about 15 km to the south. It is a small river, about 35 km long with an average flow rate of 10 cubic meters/second. The river flows from the lake Storkagetrask and out to the sea at the settlement of Kage, about 15 km north of the town of Skelleftea. The Kagealv is easily accessible. A road runs along the north bank, and all fishing "beats" are marked and have parking. This is a typical "spate river", and is a nice addition to fishing the Byske. It flows through a fairly populated valley with intensive agriculture. After heavy rains the river quickly becomes clouded, but it can be fished about two days later. The fishing pressure is quite light.
Sea trout, salmon, pike, perch, grayling and burbot can be found in the river. The Kage is primarily considered to be a good sea trout river - about 100-200 are caught each year. There are fewer salmon, with variable numbers caught - in a good rainy year about 100 are taken. There are very nice grayling to be caught up to 1 kg in weight. In the lower parts grayling run in from the sea.
Fishing licenses can be bought at the gas station in Kage or in the settlement of Ersmark about 10 km upstream. Licenses are inexpensive at 50 SEK/day and 500 SEK/year.
Accommodation is the same as for the Byske. In addition, there is camping at the bridge across the river in the town of Sandfors, 27 km from the river mouth.
The fishing season starts at the beginning of May with sea trout. At the beginning of June the first salmon appear. Spawning continues all summer after each rain (spate). Grayling fishing peaks from the end of June to the end of August. The river is closed the last day of August.
Wading is fairly easy in most spots, and waders are not necessary though they make fishing easier. A one-handed rod is sufficient, with ATFMA 7 ideal for salmon and sea trout, and 3-4 for grayling. Relatively small flies, size 8-12, are used even in high water. Patterns are the same as those used on the Byske, such as Ally's Shrimp, Cascade, GP, Thunder and Lightening, Garry Dog, and Munroe Killer. For grayling, emergers, caddisflies and mainly the Gold ribbed Hare's Ear nymph are useful. Czech nymphing would definitely be successful, though it is unfortunately not common in Sweden yet.
The Abyalv (Aby River) flows into the sea about 15 km north of Byske. It originates in the Ostra Kikkejaur Lake at the city of Arvidsjaur. The river is about 100 km long, with an average flow of 17 cubic meters per second. The Aby can be divided into two sections. The lower section of about 25 km long, from the sea to the village Hednas, is a fairly populated agricultural landscape. The river is accessible from roads on both banks. Beats are well marked and parking is available.
The most common fish here are grayling, sea trout and salmon. In the spring, grayling have their run from the sea to the river for spawning. The numbers of salmon caught in the river are not as high as in the Byske, from several tens in dry years to a couple hundred during higher rainfall. Their weight is nice, however, with fish up to 18-19 kg. Several hundred sea trout are taken each year, weighing up to 2-3 kg each. There are many grayling, weighing up to 0.8 kg.
The season is the same as for the Byske. Sea trout are caught from the middle of May, salmon start their run at the beginning of June, and new fish arrive after each significant rainfall. The season ends the last day of August. Licenses are inexpensive: 80 SEK/day or 800 SEK/year, and are sold at the gas station in the village of Aby. Accommodation can be found in several cottages rented by locals that live along the river, or camping by the water.
Wading is quite difficult, and waders are necessary. A light two-handed rod is ideal, but a one-hander can take you far as well. Flies used are similar as on the Byske – Ally's Shrimp, Cascade, GP, Thunder and Lightening, Garry Dog, Munroe Killer. For grayling use emergers, caddisflies, dry Streaking Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Gold ribbed Hare's Ear and Black Martinez nymphs.
At the village of Hednas there is a small dam with a fish ladder. This dam is only a couple years old, so how well it works is still unknown. The river changes character here - the upper stretch is calmer and there are many deep pools or even small lakes. There are forests on both sides, and it seems quite wild. It is not uncommon to meet grouse, partridge, moose, or with a little luck even a bear. There are also quite a few beaver and otter in the river. Forest roads accessible by passenger car follow both banks, but a good map (like the Swedish 23K and 24K maps) is always a good idea. The only possible accommodation is with a tent.
The Svea Kort state forestry license is valid in this section. It is inexpensive and can be purchased at all tourist information centers.
The fish found here are also different. There are mainly grayling up to 1 kg, pike up to 10 kg, perch, whitefish, and burbot. It's a good idea to have two set-ups with you - one lightweight for grayling, and a heavier for pike. The same flies as those used on the lower stretch work here also, while for pike and perch try streamers or poppers.
It is also worth mentioning the small trout stream Klubbalven, a tributary about 10 km above the dam in Hednas.
