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I first learned about the concept of fly fishing from Truman Capote's novel, *Handcarved Coffins*. In the story, in a remote rural community in the American Midwest, a series of skillful and devious murders occur, prompting the new sheriff to seek Capote's help. No clear motive is revealed in the victims' deaths; it's only evident that the killer relies on observation – a deep understanding of each person's habits and behavior. Ultimately, Capote, despite lacking concrete evidence, encounters the man he believes to be the killer. This man is fishing with flies. Sitting by a stream, he speaks of "the will of God." With my limited knowledge of this subject, I understood at the time that only murderers could be adept at fly fishing.
In a broader sense, fly fishing is a discipline of the mind, of things invisible to the naked eye. While preparing for my trip to Älvdalen – the mecca of fly fishing in Sweden – I researched stories about this practice online. Oddly enough, many people described fly fishing as a personal, even spiritual, quest to mend relationships, to clarify life's troubles, or simply to find inner peace. Somehow, fly fishing makes those desires achievable.
Älvdalen - the mecca of fly fishing.
Micke and Giulio took a trip to the Älvdalen Fishing Centre. Micke is a local guide who runs the global fishing service (Angleman Fishing Adventures). Giulio is an architect from Milan, Italy, and Micke's fishing buddy every year. Micke's family has lived here since the 16th century. He speaks many languages, including Avdelska – a local language that blends Old English, Old German, Old Swedish, and Old Icelandic, a language that most people don't understand.
At Micke's shop, I was equipped with boots and waterproof clothing. Then we set off on a highway, turned onto a dirt road, and soon ventured deep into a dark forest; I realized this place was almost impossible to find on a map, nor could it be located by GPS. We then came to an area surrounded by small rivers. Micke and Giulio stood silently on the banks, observing, searching for spots where fish might leap to catch plankton.
"When I was young, my goal was to catch as many fish as possible. Then it became the goal of catching big fish. And now I find joy and pleasure in guiding and helping others experience fly fishing," Micke shared.
The next morning, we moved to a different location, following the stream to a small island. Micke and Giulio patiently fished in several spots without success, so we moved on to another section of the river. This repeated itself throughout the day.
Micke Nyborg's family has lived in the Älvdalen area for almost 500 years, and he has been fishing his whole life.
Fishing is also a form of meditation.
"Fishing with fly aphids requires absolute concentration. The mind must focus on only one thing, only here. Nowhere else," both Giulio and Micke said.
Anglers are often very sensitive to sight, sound, and smell. Fish are the same; they can sense the presence of humans regardless of whether the stream is still or rippling. Bubbles and other tracks can help anglers locate fish. With just a flick of the wrist, experienced anglers can easily cast their line to the right spot. However, anglers must be very focused because even small movements can distract them.
The tranquil atmosphere of the forest is perfect for fishing. “Intense concentration fills your senses. The coolness of the calm water, the gentle murmur of water flowing over rocks and from the crevices, the scent of the stream mingling with the fragrance of the pine trees… will make you feel truly at ease as you immerse yourself in nature, and it’s like experiencing a real mindfulness meditation,” Giulio shared.
"Fishing helps me recharge my energy. Sometimes I just want to grab my fishing rod and go fishing. I also try doing other things to divide my time for the rest of the day, but I don't feel the same abundant and positive energy as when I'm quietly fishing in that cool green forest." Giulio asserts that if you try fishing with fly traps once, you'll definitely be hooked and never want to stop.
