Angler rowing a small boat out into the archipelago

An Introduction on What to Expect

01The Guide

King salmon, lingcod, bonefish, halibut, redfish, cod, coalfish, mangrove snapper... the list goes on. My name is Viggo Henelius (the guy in the orange pants) and I have had the privilege of traveling and fishing across large parts of the world. As a kid the dream was always to go abroad, to bigger fish and wilder places. This is still my dream, but I have found that the most remarkable adventures I have had have been at home, in Finland. Remarkable places host exceptional experiences, and I created Sauva to share this with you.

The practice of guiding is one that I love. The best summer job I ever had was as a tourist guide at a museum in Norway. Combining fishing and guiding has because of this always felt natural to me. When exchange students visited my high school, I would take them fishing. When tourists staying at my friend's cabin would ask for a fishing guide, the money didn't matter. I really enjoy meeting new people, showing them the beauty of the archipelago sea, and sharing unforgettable experiences together. It would be a privilege to host you.

02The Fishing

Sportfishing in Finland is increasingly becoming a virtual experience, where days on the water are spent looking at a sonar screen. I want to provide an alternative experience.

I style my guiding after the Bahamian bonefish-guides. My main boat is a Paro 475, an open glass fiber boat that can go anywhere. I love pushing it in dense, hard to access reeds, throwing topwater baits for explosive pike. However, the archipelago is a big place, and often requires mobility in order to reach active fish. For such occasions I have acquired a smaller skiff, a Paro 405, which can easily be launched even with no boat ramp. This allows me to reach places most people cannot go, which can lead to amazing fishing days. Join me for a day and let me show you.

03A Note on Catch and Release

Catching your prey and then cooking it is a fundamental experience that is second to no other dining experience. I both promote it and enjoy it. I do however want to make it clear that I release 90% of fish caught, treating them with great care in order to ensure survival. The archipelago sea is an ecosystem in distress, and with the creation of Sauva I do not wish to add another stress factor.

When harvesting fish for food the following recommendations are followed:

Pike: 60-80 cm
Perch: <35 cm
Zander: 45-60 cm

Ready for a day on the water?

Message Viggo on WhatsApp for dates, questions and bookings.

Book a guiding!