Swedish Matkakoski
The origin of the dipnet fishing tradition in Matkakoski
First there was the river, the rapids and the fish – then came everything else. Fishing and hunting culture have played a key role in the creation of permanent settlements in the Torne Valley. When salt arrived from Germany in the 13th century, the importance of fishing increased even more, as salt made it possible to preserve fish and transport it further to market. The village of Korpikylä was not permanently inhabited until the end of the 1400s. Whitefish was already a significant part of the diet of the population in the area at that time. For a long time, fishing was a very important part of the subsistence economy and is still important to many villagers, although today no one goes hungry even if there is no catch.
Ida Juuso was a well-known dipnetter
The fishing history of the Torne Valley includes stories of skilled fishers, such as Ida Juuso, who is known as the first woman to fish on the Matkakoski rapids. Ida started dipnet fishing in the 1920s, at the age of 35, when her elderly husband injured his leg and was no longer able to fish. Ida learned quickly and became known as a diligent and skilled fisher. She continued to dipnet for the rest of her life, until the 1970s, leaving a permanent mark on the fishing culture of the area.
Living dipnet tradition in Matkakoski
Traditions related to the old fishing tradition can still be seen in Swedish Matkakoski, such as fishing rights, whitefish distribution and whitefish grilling. At Matkakoski, the dipnet right owner houses are divided into two lots, which are dipnetting on alternate days according to the regulations of 1866. The whitefish distribution is held at 6 p.m. during the dipnet season. Fishing in the Matkakoski rapids is organised through the Matkakoski Fishing Association, which was founded in 1928. The association manages two buildings owned by the village, Koskikota and Ida’s café, both of which were built in the late 1700s. The association also arranges fishing rights for sport fishermen at Matkakoski.
Visit Swedish Matkakoski
