In April 2015, Eevis Metsola became immediately hooked. She had always had a soft spot for Baltic herring on her plate, but it was a sudden whim that got her to try to catch some on her own. This trial led to a way of life, as an emblem of which Eevis decorated her upper arm with a Baltic herring tattoo some five years ago.
The story of Eevis, now 37, is a prime example of how anyone can discover the joys of urban fishing.
“When I realised that you can fish in Helsinki, I first watched some YouTube videos and read up on the topic online. Then I headed to the Lauttasaari bridge to spy around a bit, seeing how people go about it and what kind of gear they use”, Eevis shares.
Eevis’s only previous fishing experience was from dipping a simple hook and line as a child. Her one-person intelligence agency found out that one fishes for Baltic herring with a special herring rig, which is a fishing rod used specifically for catching this species. A herring rig has no float or bait, but instead features several hooks attached to the line at regular intervals. Eevis borrowed her father’s spinning rod and picked up a herring rig at the DIY shop Clas Ohlson, and headed to the bridge connecting Lauttasaari to the city. While the fisher comrade next to her gave Eevis some advice, telling her that the rig didn’t exactly look like the best one around, the sea was immediately generous to her.
“The first time around, I caught seven fish with my slightly peculiar rig. I took them home only to realise I had no idea on how to clean them!”
YouTube steps in for help
What does the contemporary person do when faced with a hobby-related dead end? Well, they go on YouTube, obviously. Eevis watched a grainy vintage video featuring the legendary Finnish tv chef Jaakko Kolmonen and used his tips to clean her seven fish at home on Suomenlinna island.
“I managed the task, slowly but surely. Then I very happily ate them. With my current skill level, I would probably gut 50 fish in the same time now. It was quite a fumbling match at first, but even if you end up with a pile of minced fish, it is just as fit for eating. The technique comes with practice.”
Eevis found her next herring rig at the car parts and leisure goods shop Motonet. The new rod proved more attractive to fish, and Eevis didn’t look back. Through the years, she has gotten several friends hooked on the joys of urban fishing.
“It’s super cool that you can so easily head out to enjoy a hobby in nearby nature using public transportation in the capital. It’s not to be taken for granted that you can engage in such activities in your hometown with such minimal effort.”
Baltic herring from the bridge, whitefish from the beach
Nowadays, Eevis’s yearly calendar revolves around fishing. If the frozen sea carries enough weight, ice fishing is a great wintertime hobby. The melting ice marks the start of the whitefish season, lasting until April-May. Using a herring rig, fishers can sometimes catch Baltic herring until Midsummer. In its prime season, Eevis has caught Baltic herring by the bucketful in a mere hour and a half.
“In the summer, I mainly fish perch. That’s a fish you can catch on a spinning rod on Suomenlinna. A new, albeit shorter Baltic herring season kicks in around September and October, but catches don’t tend to be big. In the following months, the sun sets so early that afterwork fishing is not exactly fun. But soon the ice fishing season starts again.”
Eevis is unwilling to reveal her most precious perch spots around Suomenlinna, but she does provide a few pointers on finding typical “honey holes” around the city.
“Whitefish tend to feed on the bottom-dwelling worms moving around sandy or gravelly land, such as Lauttasaari’s southern shoreline stretch. Baltic herring navigate through deeper waters, and that’s why the Lauttasaari bridge is a popular herring spot. If you want to catch Baltic herring on the beach, the water has to deepen quickly.”
Where and how can you fish in Helsinki?
Eevis likes to remind beginners that not all bridges are fit or permissible for fishing. If there is a boat passage underneath, fishing can have unfortunate consequences. Some areas in Helsinki, such as the Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids, require a special fishing permit. During the closed season, no fishing whatsoever is allowed. The City of Helsinki’s fishing waters map marks all permitted fishing areas. Herring fishing with a rig, along with angling and ice fishing, all belong to the sphere of “everyone’s rights”, the freedom granting public access to nature in Finland. No separate permit is needed.
Lure fishing with one rod, such as a spinning rod, requires 18-64 year olds to pay a fishing management fee. Eevis has acquired an additional licence allowing her to fish with several rods. Information about various licences and their prices can be found on the City of Helsinki’s website.
A fisher’s success is always the fish’s misfortune. With this in mind, Eevis is keen to talk about sustainability. According to current knowledge, fish are sentient and feel pain. The Finnish Animal Welfare Act forbids causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
"I am very particular about the fact that a fish must be stunned and bled immediately. I don't eat any other meat than fish, so I think that if I personally fish for my own food, this is perhaps the most merciful way to eat an animal.What’s more, the Baltic herring population is so strong that even WWF recommends that people should eat much more Baltic herring."
Taking the metro with a bucket of fish
Even a passer-by can see that a herring community has formed on the Lauttasaari bridge. According to Eevis, Baltic herring is a social fish: if one herring eats, the whole army eats. Expanding this thought, there is no reason for fishers to compete with one another either.
"A lot of diverse people are after the same fish. You hear different languages and spot people of all ages. Children and grandmothers fish on the same bridge side by side. I encourage beginners to just head over and boldly ask for tips. Everyone is helpful. Then just pass by a fishing shop – these shops are also known for great service."
Eevis has set up a well-optimised urban fishing set for herself. It includes a spinning rod and a bucket that fits discreetly into a backpack or even a tote bag. But what happens when the bucket is full of fish and it’s time to head home?
"Fresh fish doesn't smell bad at all. I'm completely calm about riding the metro with a bucket of herring, or jumping on a ferry or whatever else. Sometimes someone might get surprised, but the people of Helsinki are used to seeing all kinds of folks in the cityscape. If it really smells fishy, I can always hop on a city bike and ride home in the fresh air."
And how does an urban fisher prepare their catch for a home cooked meal?
"I have an electric smoker by Muurikka, which is really good. Just last night I used it to prepare smoked whitefish. I also like to salt-cure fish. Baltic herring is great as breaded and fried fillets, or for making tomato herring rolls, which are super tasty. With perch, I tend to just pan fry it in butter. Actually, any fish is good when fried in butter. It always does the trick.”