The waters of the large Saunajoki lake-and-river system, originating in the south-eastern corner of Kuhmo, fall under the control of two fishing associations. In the downstream reaches lie the water areas of the Lammasperä fishing association, while the upstream sections are managed by the Saunajärvi association. The larger of the two waterways gathers its waters from the Elimyssalo wilderness area, emptying into the Kiekinjoki. Another river, Kesselinjoki, flows from the south-east to join the Kiekinjoki. The combined river continues as the Kesselinjoki, although this is the name of the smaller of the two rivers. Another lake-and-river system begins in the south, in the Lake Saunajärvi area, flowing as the River Louhijoki into the River Saunajoki. There are practically no populated areas along these waterways. The area boasts dozens of rapids in a wilderness where one white-water angler will rarely come across another. A number of rapids in the eastern corner of Kuhmo, located in the vicinity of roads, are stocked with catchable-size fish; otherwise the streams have a natural fish population.
RIVER LOUHENJOKI
Located in the south-eastern corner of Kuhmo, the Louhenjoki connects Lake Saunajärvi and Lake Lutjanjärvi. The Niskakoski rapid lies separate from the rest of the rapids, tumbling down the river channel between Lake Saunajärvi and Lake Alasenjärvi. Easily accessible and popular, Niskakoski runs for about 500 metres, and holds trout. There is a lay-by in a beautiful setting on the edge of Lake Saunajärvi, and another beside Niskakoski. The Saunajärvi road was a scene of heavy fighting during the Finnish Winter War. Memorials have been erected and trenches restored in the area. A mill has also been restored to full working order, and is now a tourist attraction. Anglers have access to Niskakoski’s western shore. The fishing spots on these narrow and steep rapids can be covered easily from one bank. Niskakoski’s popularity is based on its stock of catchable-size brown trout.
The continuous stretch of the Louhenjoki begins from Lake Alasenjärvi, consisting of rapids for almost its entire 6-kilometre run through the forest. The difference in elevation between Lake Alasenjärvi and Lake Lutjanjärvi is as much as seventeen metres. The stretch contains five separately named rapids. As the rapids can only be reached on foot, this area is ideal for the genuine hiking angler. Large fish may be few and far between, and tend to be warier than stocked fish. The enjoyment of sport fishing, of course, is not necessarily dependent on the size of the catch. The next area for river fishing is on the River Saunajoki, one of the rapids run by the Lammasperä fishing association.
Kalasto ja hoito
Louhenjoelta saadaan saaliiksi taimenia ja harjuksia. Saunajärven Niskakoski on varmin paikka tavoittaa mitat täyttävä taimen. Tähän matkailunähtävyyksien äärellä olevaan koskeen istutetaan pari kertaa kesässä pyyntikokoisia taimenia. Alasenjärven alapuolisen varsinaisen Louhenjoen kalakanta on luonnonvarainen. Siellä harjus on taimenta yleisempi lohikala ja aina joskus kuulee, että rauhalliselta erämaajoelta saadaan oikein komeita purjeselkiä. Kalastajan vastuulla on vapauttaa kaikki alamittaiset kalat. Osa taimenen poikasista kasvaa joessa ja osa lähtee vaellukselle Kuhmon järviin ja ne palaavat kookkaina järvitaimenina kotijokeensa.
Rapids from upstream to downstream:
Niskakoski
- Length: 500m
- Elevation differential: 6.9m
- Average flow: 2.3 m³/s
Lähtevänkoski
- Length: 300m
- Elevation differential: 3.5m
- Average flow: 2.5 m³/s
Louhenkoski
- Length: 800m
- Elevation differential: 7.6m
- Average flow: 2.5 m³/s
Pieni Vesankoski
- Length: 450m
- Elevation differential: 2.4m
- Average flow: 2.6 m³/s
Iso Vesankoski
- Length: 200m
- Elevation differential: 2.6m
- Average flow: 2.6 m³/s
