RUUNAA RAPIDS
Ruunaa rapids, that flow in Lieksa, present an unforgettable fishing experience to keen enthusiasts, and to beginners as well. The rapids in the Ruunaa hiking area begin from the Paasikoski edge and reach down to the tail of the Siikakoski rapid.

In the Ruunaa district there is almost 20 km of water course, which include ca. 8 km of rapids and fast flowing currents. Ruunaa lies 30 km east from the town of Lieksa, and is easily reached from the Lieksa-Ilomantsi highway, just following the signs to the west bank of the Ruunaa rapids. There you will find an information center and the Neitikoski hiking and camping center. To the east side of Ruunaa you will have access in summer time by the roads from Hattuvaara village.

Ruunaa rapids are part of the Lieksa river, which flows out from the vast woods of Russia. Our license covers approximately eight kilometers of rapids and currents. There are six remarkable rapids, from upriver down: Paasikoski, Haapavitja, Neitikoski, Kattilakoski, Murrookoski and Siikakoski. The license covers them all, except for Kattilakoski rapid, which is rental.

Paasikoski-Haapavitja Paasikoski is the uppermost rapid of the Ruunaa district. Catch-sized fish is not stocked in these waters, so there are real challenges for the fisherman. At least fish there are not newly stocked. Fish mainly rise from the lower run. By the Paasikoski rapid you can make your chances with the bully Ruunaa grayling. Especially Paasikoski edge is good for fly fishing. Start scouring the edge from the stream fringes, because both sides of the river are rather rocky, providing potential hiding pockets for grayling.

The first two hundred meters of Haapavitja are the nicest. From the edge onwards the waters start surging down rather steeply for some hundred meters. You'll find the best spots in Haapavitja rapid by the stout blocks, which may hide a lot of trout. It is not unusual to hook over 40 cm ones there with a large-sized fish imitation fly.

Kattilakoski Kattilakoski rapid can only be hired, e.g. by companies or fishing groups. The price includes a cosy log floaters' lodge with the old-time atmosphere. The Ruunaa recreation area permission does not cover fishing at Kattilakoski.

Neitikoski In the summertime brown and rainbow trout of catch-size is almost weekly stocked in this area. Fishing is permitted with lure and fly, from shore and boat. By Neitikoski rapid also junior fishermen can easily start fishing. There are casting jetties built on the banks, and good trails to move on. There are also fireplaces on the shore for preparing your catch. You will find the best spots of Neitikoski at the head of the rapid, where big trout dwell. We recommend to try with small wobblers or spoons. You can buy the best-catching lures for this rapid at the Neitikoski tourist center.

Siikakoski-Murrookoski. In the summertime brown and rainbow trout of catch-size is almost weekly stocked in these waters. You will spend a really nice day by these rapids. There are fireplaces on the shore if you wish to prepare your catch straight away. Fishing in the Siikakoski and Murrookoski rapids is permitted with lure and fly. Course of these rapids runs by turns peacefully and somewhere roaring in strong currents. Do not miss maybe the best spot about in the middle of the course, a large pond right behind a small islet. It is especially fine for spinning. Also by the small bridge, leading to the islet, is a good place to try your luck. The stone supports of the wooden bridge form a back-eddy where fish often lies. Upstream from the bridge large stout hide behind big rocks. And, of course, all riffle heads are worth trying.

The whole of the Ruunaa district, and especially the deeper slots under the Neitikoski and Murrookoski rapids, as well as Murroo and Kattilajärvi lakes are rich with pikeperch. The best season for pikeperch is from the end of May to the end of July. They are large, averaging 1.5 - 3 kilograms. At the foot of the riffles they eagerly take a 12-15 cm long grub jig close to the bottom. We suggest to use 10-gram jig heads as sinkers. In the lakes fishers often troll for pikeperch with deep diving crankbaits. In Ruunaa also big perch and pike are eager takers.