The photos of the Vetsikko area were taken by a local nature photographer from Vetsikko.

Fishing, tourism and transportation services in the Teno River Valley Area (Tana river)

Accommodation is available in Vetsikko, as well as a point for printing fishing permits and a point for disinfecting fishing equipment.

According to written and traditional sources, there has been a permanent settlement in the Vetsikko area since the 17th and 18th centuries at the latest. The early inhabitants of the village included Sámi families, whose livelihood was primarily based on fishing, hunting, and berry picking, as well as crafts and, to a lesser extent, reindeer herding. Domestic animals and small-scale agriculture have also been part of people's lives.

Kuvat: Suomen museovirasto

The Teno River and its tributaries, such as the Vetsijoki River, formed the economic foundation of the Vetsikko region. Salmon fishing was a key industry, and fishing was done using traditional methods, such as weirs, nets, and fishing methods tied to vehicles. Each fishing spot had its own name and associated usage rights.

Kuvat: Suomen museovirasto

Getting around on the river has always been part of people's everyday lives. In the summer, people have moved along the river by boat, on foot, and on horseback. In the winter, when the ice has melted, people have moved along the river by horse and reindeer, and by skiing. Today, people move around by car, boat, ATV, and walking in the summer, and by snowmobiles and sleighs in the winter.

Traditional livelihoods have existed in the area for a very long time: fishing, hunting, reindeer herding, gathering and handicrafts. Domestic animals and small-scale agriculture have also been part of people's everyday lives.

Boat-making skills have a centuries-old tradition in Vetsikko and along the Utsjoki river.

The boats we use on the river and the sledges we put behind the sled in winter are locally made traditional crafts. The area has a strong tradition of traditional crafts. In the past, all clothes and tools were made by hand.

Suomen Museovirasto

The area has a long tradition of hunting. Hunting grouse in the winter with traditional traps used to be a part of almost every household's livelihood. Hundreds of years ago, deer were hunted. Today, elk are important to the area's residents and their populations have been increasing since the 1960s.

Fishing is one of the oldest livelihoods in Vetsikko and Utsjoki: In the past, salmon and other fish were mainly caught in the Teno River and its tributaries.The Teno River was one of the best salmon rivers in Europe.As the salmon stock has declined, fishing in the area has focused on other fish species that are abundant in the area. However, fish other than salmon have always been caught in the area.

About Lukkari's three famous fly tying brothers

The first English sport fishermen were encountered in Vetsikko at the beginning of the 20th century and later two campsites were established in the village of Vetsikko to serve the needs of fishing tourists, the first tourism company was established in Vetsikko in 1969.

The roots of fly tying in Vetsikko date back to at least 1946 and fly tying began in Vetsikko as early as 1948. The skill of fly tying has been passed down from generation to generation and flies are still tied in at least the third generation.

Gathering and berry picking. From September to summer, at the turn of July and August, when the jams have ripened, people have gone up the river valley to collect jams, or lakka. Picking raspberries has been a significant source of income and food for the household. Blueberries, lingonberries and crowberries are also used. At the same time, fishing has begun in the fell lakes.

Reindeer herding is a significant industry in Utsjoki. Reindeer herding usually begins in Utsjoki in September-October and continues until spring. Every autumn, the reindeer are separated from their owners. In the spring, the reindeer calve and spend the summer in the fells and forests, grazing freely in their own peace. The reindeer belong to people and are semi-wild. There are almost ten times more reindeer in Utsjoki than people.

Company values

ArcticWildRiver on saanut hanketukea kesämatkailuun, ympärivuotisen matkailun edistämiseksi.