SWEDEN FISHING AND BIRDING – who are we?

We are Craig and Kristin King and together we run Sweden fishing and birding.

sweden fishing and birding business cards

Craig is the one holding the fish in the photos and Kristin the one behind the camera.

All of the photographs on our website were taken by Kristin, on our doorstep or within a few kilometers of our home.

Kristin is Swedish; born in Stockholm with family connections spread across Sweden, tracing her roots back to Northern Sweden. She has a knowledge and love of all things Swedish.

Craig is British and hails from Spalding, Lincolnshire in England.

As a youngster I (Craig) spent my most cherished memories beside a river. Catching roach and tench with the occasional visit from a Kingfisher or Heron was idyllic. I have rediscovered that wild landscape in Sweden.

Having gained my degree in Environmental Biology from Reading University I worked for Natural England (the UK governments main wildlife protection body) for 17 years. The job involved working with the RSPB (Royal Society for the protection of birds) in the creation and management of their reserves from Dorset to Lincolnshire. Having an office based at RSPB Frampton Marsh in The Fens stimulated my interest in birds.

My passion for fishing has taken me to chase and catch the exotic. From Sailfish in Mexico to Sturgeon in Canada, Wels Catfish in Spain, Trevally in Australia, Dorado in Kenya and Wahoo in Tobago; holidays have been geared to fishing.

Rapidly, the holidays gained a bird watching slant. A visit to Costa Rica required a Quetzal, New Zealand a Kiwi, you know how it goes…..it becomes a passion.

Whether fin or feather I want to find the big, unusual, exotic or rare.

And now…

Pike fishing Umea Vasterbotten Northern Sweden — Big fish smiles at sweden fishing and birding. Our average fish are over 1m long!

Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) taken by sweden fishing and birding - Northern Sweden guided bird watching tour. — Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) taken by sweden fishing and birding – Northern Sweden guided bird watching tour.

We live in Sweden and we own and operate Sweden fishing and birding.

Playing peek a boo with Great grey owl by sweden fishing and birding, Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.

Our house is 170m away from your accommodation. We are here day to day. We are always looking to locate and share with you what you hope to encounter. That can mean the difference between success and failure. Book with confidence. Book with sweden fishing and birding.

Let sweden fishing and birding help you find what you are looking for.

Västerbotten shield — Vasterbotten County Arms Shield

OUR WEATHER

We have a subarctic climate. Summers are short, but warm. Winters are lengthy and freezing, but considering the latitude very mild due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Days of high wind and rain are not as frequent as the UK. Instead we have mostly clear skies and settled, calm conditions.

During 2018 my car recorded a low of minus 33 degrees centigrade in February and a high of plus 33 in summer. Exact symmetry!

The length of the day here varies extremely over the course of the year. In 2018, the shortest day is December 21st, with 4 hours 5 minutes of daylight; the longest day is June 21st, with 21 hours,12 mins of daylight.

Snow usually falls and remains on the ground during December. We may get the odd flurry in November, which then melts away.

The snow usually fully melts and vanishes during April. April 2019 saw new records set for hours of sunlight across Sweden. It was terrific.

January and February are the months of deep snow on the ground.

Recent summers have been very hot. Setting new records for high temperatures and hours of sunlight. June, July and August have been wonderful with day after day around 25 degrees centigrade and much warmer.

A reindeer strolling through our forest in Skivsjo, Vindeln, Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.

TRAVELLING TO US

We offer collection from Umea airport only (1hr drive).

Other nearby airports are Lycksele (45mins drive) and Skelleftea (1hr 45 mins drive).

Umea is the largest airport in Northern Sweden, but small compared to most international airports.

It is not possible to fly direct from the UK to Umea.

The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) hunting over our grassland. Photo taken by sweden fishing and birding. Bird watching Northern Sweden.

Norwegian air fly to Umea. They fly from London Gatwick to Stockholm Arlanda (where you change planes) and then take a second flight to Umea. All of this can be booked on a single ticket. Checked in baggage at London meets you in Umea. You do not need to collect those bags or check in for a second time at Stockholm Arlanda. A return flight costs around £200.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) fly to Umea. They fly from London Heathrow to Stockholm Arlanda (where you change planes) and then take a second flight to Umea. All of this can be booked on a single ticket. Checked in baggage at London meets you in Umea. You do not need to collect those bags or check in for a second time at Stockholm Arlanda. Prices vary depending on how far you book in advance, sales, public holidays etc.

Easyjet flies from London Luton to Stockholm Arlanda. You can then make a separate booking to fly from Stockholm Arlanda to Umea with Norwegian Air or Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).

Travelling through Stockholm Arlanda Airport affords you the possibility of having a stop off and staying in Stockholm. The capital of Sweden is a very nice city.

Umea has direct flights to Helsinki, Finland.