206 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



Kaakanajoki was crossed near the post station, and 

 trout flies tried on it ineffectually, probably owing 

 to its containing pike, but salmon are caught near 

 the mouth. 



At Tornea we were on the Eussian frontier. It 

 was the beginning of June, and as yet there were no 

 mosquitoes. Small villages occur in close succession 

 upon both banks of the Tornea. Across the river is 

 the Swedish town of Haaparanda, and no less than 

 four large churches can be seen in different directions. 

 We found that salmon had not yet commenced to run 

 in any numbers, but that the river was full of sea 

 trout, for which the natives had learned to troll with 

 large-sized " blazers," which they get from Stock- 

 holm. 



We drove ten miles up to Kokkola, where all the 

 world was angling with the aforesaid baits for lohen 

 pojka, or sea trout, and very successful some of the 

 natives were, carrying large sacks half full of five- 

 pounders ; the net fishing not having as yet com- 

 menced. The Tornea is about the same size as the 

 Kemi, and, at present, a few feet above its usual 

 level. The Muonio and Tornea, which meet at 

 Paijala, are both navigable from the interior by row- 

 boat, with the exception of a few rapids ; but those 

 near Muonioniska can be safely descended by boat, in 

 which one can travel thence to the ocean, or, more 

 strictly speaking, the Gulf of Bothnia, which is 

 almost a fresh-water lake, so little salt is there in its 

 waters. 



