St. Olaf's Castle and Savonlinna Opera Festival on Lake Saimaa

Olavinlinna , St. Olaf's Castle is a 15th-century three-tower castle located in Savonlinna, Finland. It is the northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing. The fortress was founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475 under the name Sankt Olofsborg in an effort to profit from the political turmoil following Ivan III's conquest of the Novgorod Republic. It was sited in Savonia so as to lay claim to the Russian side of the border established by the Treaty of Nöteborg.

One of Tott's letters from 1477 includes a passing mention of foreign builders invited to Olofsborg, probably from Reval, where the city fortifications were being extended. It was the first Swedish castle provided with a set of thickset circular towers that could withstand cannon fire. It is not by accident that a network of lakes and waterways forms the setting for the castle, for these would seriously impede a prospective Russian offensive.

 Olofsborg withstood several sieges by the Russians during the First and Second Russian-Swedish wars. A brisk trade developed under the umbrella of the castle towards the end of the 16th century, giving birth to the town of Savonlinna, which was chartered in 1639.

On 28 July 1714, the garrison capitulated to the invading Russians, and it took them only two days to take the castle in 1743, in the events leading up to the Treaty of Åbo which awarded the entire region to Empress Elizabeth of Russia.

 Currently, the castle hosts several small exhibitions, including the Castle Museum which displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum which displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. The castle forms a spectacular stage for the Savonlinna Opera Festival, held annually in the summer since 1912.

Savonlinna Opera Festival 3.7-2.8.2015

Distance from Cottage Jokiniemi 60 km`s

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Fly Fishing on Lake Saimaa - Kerma Rapids

Kerma Rapids are one of the most challenging fly fishing destinations in Eastern Finland for seasoned fishermen. Fishing season: 1 st of May-10 th of September and 16 th of March - 30 th of April.

The Kerma rapids are a versatile site for fly-fishing. One will find evenly flowing currents, peripheries, gurgling white waters and backs of rocks; something to suite the taste of every fisherman. There are plenty of places to catch fish in a multitude of ways. In addition to our most common species of fish, brown trout, Saimaa salmon, whitefish and grayling dwell in the waters. The fauna of the lake is cared for merely by restocking it with the fry of brown trout and Saimaa salmon, an action that supports natural reproduction. Because of this there is a great deal of young fish in the area who, when caught, should be carefully handled. In order to ensure future fishing and a fish population, non-barbed hooks are recommended.

 The Kerma white water fishing area can be divided into three parts. Beginning from the Kerma locks it breaks up into three separate currents: the Saunavirta current, leading to the main rapids, the Haapakoski rapids and the Kissakoski rapids. Today, Haapakoski and Kissakoski are protectorates for the offspring of fish. Saunavirta, on the other hand, is a popular offshore fishing site, although it has a few excellent fishing sites on shore. Excluding the small rapids area, the water is rather deep and easily navigable by rowing-boat. Wading in Saunavirta is difficult due to the deep and rocky shoreline. The banks toward the main village are private property, whereby landing on them is forbidden. It is a good idea to fish in the vicinity of large rocks and old timber floating equipment, in the main currents and the peripheries of the lower part of the rapids.

 The current doesn’t really slow down between Kermankoski rapids and Saunavirta, prior to its turning ninety degrees left and surging into the rapids. Just before the nape of the rapids the current breaks up into two separate channels, which differ greatly in character. The rapids can be characterised as extremely fast-flowing, whereby particular caution is to be exercised while wading and rowing in them. The fishing sites in the rapids are easy to spot but the strong current, clear water and abundance of insects provide additional challenges. Both the nape of the rapids as well as the final flow are very popular places to fish.

 Vihonvuonne, close to a kilometre downstream of the main rapids, is the last of the rapids. Vihonvuonne boasts two napes, past of which the first the current is still rather calm and the course deep. After the second the current is particularly fast-flowing and rocky. There is an islet, which divides the current in two, in the middle of both napes. Due to these islets a turbulent and deep current where, from time to time, real whoppers dwell, runs both between the napes and in the final flow. The fishing sites of this area are also relatively easy to come by. Wading in Vihonvuonne is moderately easy downstream of the lower nape, despite the relatively rocky bottom. The area is also suitable for fishing from a boat, right through to the lower nape. In addition to this the lower parts of the final flow are easily navigable by rowing-boat.

Distance from Fishing Cottage Jokiniemi, 40 km`s.

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Raikuu Canal – a Hidden Treasure of Lake Saimaa

 

 Raikuu canal is one of the canals, that was made by local people more or less in the middle of the 1700 -century. Later by general Suvorov's order canal was expended about 200 years ago. Suvorov was responsible of border between Sweden ja Russia of those days. Suvorov wanted to ensure the service lines from Olavinlinna (in the city of Savonlinna) to Lappeenranta, where was the fortress of Lappeenranta.

 In the second world war canal was part of the huge fortress called Salpalinja or Salpa Line. Salpa Line was built between the Winter War and Continuation War to defend Finland against Soviet Union. Line was totally 1200 km long.

Nowadays canal is not an official boat route, but it is legal to go trough by one's own risk. Canal is very shallow and narrow. Smallest depth is 80 cm and most narrow point is 3,5 m. That means, that only small motorboats, jet skis, canoes and rowing boats can go trough.

If the water level in the canal is high enough, we can arrange guided boat trips to Raikuu. If you are interested, please feel free to ask!

Salpa Line Charter

Company Old School Trolling organizes a boat charter to the beautiful Raikuu Canal and the unique WWII-era defence line called Salpalinja (Salpa Line), incl. outdoors picnic by campfire. Whole duration of trip 4-5 hours. Complete route lenght 60 km / traveltime 1,5 hours. For groups of max. 6 persons.

Location: Savonranta

Guide: Jari Kauehkoe (Jari Käyhkö)

Contact: jari@oldschooltrolling.fi or +358400523819

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Fishing Guide of Old School Trolling, Jari Käyhkö boating on Raikuu Canal

The Salpa Line structures in Raikuu

A trench of Raikuu Salpaline area

Stone wall build during WW2

The Salpa Line (Finnish: “Salpalinja”, literal translation “Bolt-line”) is a unique and historically significant, 1200 km long bunker line on the eastern border of Finland. It was built during the World War II to defend Finland against a possible Soviet invasion.

Anti-tank bunker in Raikuu Salpaline area

Parts of this defence line can be seen at the Raikuu canal area in Kerimäki. You can follow a nature trail and visit three genuine bunkers, see anti-tank barriers and marvel at quite monumental stone walls.

The stone walls at Raikuu are unique among all the Salpa Line structures. They run continuously for about 1,5 km right along the canal, several metres tall and thick. Together the walls, the canal and the surrounding thick green forests create an outstanding scenery.

Tank trap in Raikuu Salpa Line area

Have a memorable day on Lake Saimaa wit Old School Trolling

Picnic by Campfire on Lake Saimaa

Fried Vendace of Lake Saimaa is a local speciality

If you want to go fishing or have something to ask, pick up the phone and call. We can help you turn your holiday or corporate event into a genuine Lake Saimaa fishing and outdoor experience!