For the people of Saaremaa, fish has always been an essential part of their daily diet, often served as a side to complement meals and satisfy hunger. When the table was set with hot potatoes, salted herring or other fish dishes, it was considered a complete and fulfilling meal.
In the past, when various food ingredients were not always available and economic conditions were tougher, fish played a crucial role in surviving even the harshest times of hunger. Dishes made from fish were simple, tasty and nourishing. Fish provided food for the people of Saaremaa even during the winter months when obtaining fresh food was more difficult.
Spring comes with roach fishing
Every spring, the time comes when the banks of Saaremaa’s rivers are filled with swarms of fishermen. They are all preparing for the start of the roach fishing season. When the first warm days have shown their face, the roach begin to move upstream from their wintering grounds. No fishing license is required for roach fishing if it is done with a simple hand rod.
The start of the roach fishing season depends on the year, as the duration of winter and the arrival of spring can vary. Over time, the fishing period has shifted from early May to late March or early April. The roach starts moving just when the winter cold has retreated, and the first warm days have brought the first signs of spring.
The most famous and “sweetest” places for roach fishing in Saaremaa are the Nasva River, the Salme River and the Kuke Stream, where fishermen have been waiting year after year for the fish to make their way through the river to their usual spawning grounds. These places have become traditional fishing areas where lively fishing takes place every spring. When the fish stocks are replenished, the roach typically find their way under the eaves, where they are left to dry, rewarding the fishermen with dried fish in the summer.
What's next on the fishermen's calendar?
Roach fishing is just an introduction to the fishing season. After the roach fishing period, the baltic herring season begins, which is mostly the domain of commercial fishermen. Baltic herring is mainly caught with nets and traps in the open sea, where the fish gather in large schools.
However, recreational anglers can satisfy their excitement as soon as possible in May, because in the second half of May, the garfish arrives in the waters of Saaremaa. Similar to the roach, the garfish is available only for a short time, often just for a couple of weeks. Therefore, it’s worth getting your spinning rods ready and not missing this short but sweet fishing period. The garfish is known for its taste and, like eel, is extremely popular due to its flavor. This fish can be enjoyed fried, dried, pickled, but is especially valued when smoked. Smoked garfish is a true delicacy that every Saaremaa fisherman or fish enthusiast would definitely recommend trying.
To avoid running into trouble with the law, be sure to check the fishing license information before heading out.
Go fishing with a local
If all of the previous talk sounds incredibly exciting, but you don’t have a boat or a fishing rod yourself, don’t worry. Saaremaa has several experienced and friendly fishermen who are ready to take fishing enthusiasts along to haul nets in the open sea or check traps in the coastal waters. In this regard, Uuelu Tourism Farm, Sadama Farm, and Käbruotsa Guesthouse are ready to help. However, it’s important to keep in mind that none of these activities guarantees a bountiful catch – nature is unpredictable. But if you want to be sure of a catch, it’s worth heading to a local fish farm, where fresh fish are always available. What’s more, if you’re in Nasva, you can easily get freshly smoked fish from Tihemetsa Kala to enjoy the taste of the island and an authentic fishing experience.
Those, who are particularly privileged can test their fishing skills at Koslep, where the annual fishing competition offers an extraordinary opportunity. The serious rivalry between the people of Saaremaa and mainlanders has grown into a tradition that has lasted for over ten years and become a true public event. The limited number of participants and the intense competition make this event very special. The main goal is to find out who the real fisherman is – the Saaremaa locals, who know their home waters well or the mainlanders, who bring their skills and knowledge from the mainland.
