Midnight Run

Fishing for migratory trout in Swedish Lapland at night is quite unlike anything else I’ve experienced. The quiet, the stillness, and the sharp sense of anticipation all build as you wait in the half-light for a take. The river feels different after dark, with shapes muted, sounds carrying further, and every cast mattering that much more.

When the light turns dim but you can still make out the river’s edges, the trout begin to move. They feel safer in shallow water and so start to hunt. This is the window when careful, deliberate fishing pays off. I’ve always believed in making fewer, focused casts at night. These trout don’t grow big by being careless.

My first bit of advice is simple: know your water before it goes dark. Learn the pools in daylight, pick an aiming point like a tree, and count the retrieves it takes to fish the full length. That knowledge becomes your compass when sight is gone.

In recent years I’ve mostly used the Q #7-8 rods, both single-hand and switch. I fish at night exclusively with a floating line. Leader-wise you can go relatively heavy due to the darkness – around 0.33 tippet thickness – but still relatively long at around 12–15 feet.

My favourite fly for this type of fishing is the muddler – black of course. About 5-6 cm, and light and buoyant so it swims and skates the surface.

Last but not least is my trusty #8-11 Q reel. The increased capacity and drag is a key requirement when you strike it big.

The most important part of fishing this way is control. The fly needs to land softly and fish immediately -lift the rod the second it touches down to start the drift. And don’t be afraid to cast slightly upstream, then mend the line, letting the fly drift like a mouse crossing the river. More often than not, that’s what draws the strike.

Patience is everything at night. Resist the urge to thrash the water. Make a dozen thoughtful casts, then rest the pool for ten or fifteen minutes before trying again.

Fishing Lapland’s nights is as much about rhythm as it is about skill. It’s an exercise in restraint, awareness, and connection to the water. Few moments compare to the sudden jolt of a trout in the darkness. It’s a reminder that in the stillest hours, the river is very much alive.

Bonus tip: Your headlamp should only be on if a fish is on!