Sea Trout Guiding in Bohuslän, Sweden

Q: What gear should I bring?

Your own waders, rod and reel are welcome. Fly: 9 ft, 6 to 7 weight, intermediate line, plus sinking lines in summer. Spin: a rod of about 2.70 m (9 ft) casting 10 to 30 g. If you don't have gear, loan equipment including waders can be arranged.

Q: Is the guiding suitable for beginners?

Yes. The day is tailored to your level. Beginners learn the whole package, from the first cast to choosing and working lures and flies to reading the water. Help with first attempts on the fly rod is included.

Q: Where do we meet?

The meeting point depends on wind and weather, typically around Munkedal, Uddevalla, Sotenäs or Lysekil. The exact spot is agreed the day before.

Q: How much does sea trout guiding cost?

There is deliberately no price list. The trips are not a commercial offering; they happen in free time and out of the joy of sharing this coast. How the day works, how long it lasts and everything else is discussed personally once you get in touch.

Q: Is there accommodation nearby?

Yes, for example Treeline Studio by Granite & Green: a tiny house with sauna and lake view near Munkedal, about 15 minutes from the nearest sea trout beach.

01 — The fishery

Perhaps Europe's finest sea trout coast.

Sprawling fjord systems, thousands of skerries and open coastline: Bohuslän on Sweden's west coast is a sea trout destination you won't forget – far from the busy beaches of the German and Danish Baltic.

The options here are simply countless, and most of the time there isn't another angler in sight. Where a Baltic beach gives you a hundred metres of shoreline, here you look at several hundred metres of coast packed with possible spots.

Whether it's opening week in April, summer fishing over deep water or the exciting autumn fishing in September: I'll take you to the places that, in my experience, fish best – and show you what matters under local conditions.

“Even in midsummer you'll stand alone on the shore here – while a few kilometres away, coastal town life is buzzing.”

Angler on a granite rock looking out over a fjord in Bohuslän — A dream fish of about 55 cm, caught on Bohuslän's rocky shore.

Sea trout of about 55 centimetres in a landing net — A dream fish of about 55 cm, caught on Bohuslän's rocky shore.

02 — Why the west coast?

Where fjords and skerries meet North Sea water.

Bohuslän's coast is fundamentally different from the classic Baltic fisheries. A wildly structured landscape meets salty water from the Skagerrak and the North Sea – and currents and tides make the fishing even more interesting.

Wading angler on a rocky edge in the Gullmarsfjord at dusk

Fjords

Sheltered fjord systems like the Gullmarsfjord stay fishable even in wind: bays, stream mouths and rocky edges where sea trout pass again and again.

Archipelago near Hunnebostrand on Sweden's west coast

Skerries

Thousands of islands, sounds and headlands. Shallow bays with classic “leopard” bottom often sit just metres from steep granite – variety in a tiny area.

Rocky shore dropping straight into deep water – a typical sea trout spot in Bohuslän

Open coast

Granite shores that drop straight into deep water. This is where you find sea trout even when they seek cooler water in high summer.

03 — Out on the water together

Why you'll love fishing with us.

Local knowledge
Living here since 2018, with countless hours on the fjord and skerry coasts – especially in northern Bohuslän.
Lots of fish
Not Europe's biggest sea trout, but exceptionally many: a dozen fish or more in a day is often realistic.
Fly & spin
For beginners and passionate coastal anglers alike. Happy to help with your first casts on the fly rod.
Personal
One-to-one company instead of a group programme. We're happy to bring food and gear, waders included.
Flexible
From a short dusk session to a full day “from dusk to dawn” – we plan around your time and the weather.
Three languages
Out on the water in English, German or Swedish.
No licence
On Sweden's west coast, young and old fish with rod and reel free of any licence.
Easy to reach
One hour north of Gothenburg – close to the ferries from Kiel and Frederikshavn and to Landvetter Airport.
More than fish
A relaxed, eventful day outdoors – with skerries, granite and midsummer light as the backdrop.

04 — Bohuslän season guide

When is the best time for sea trout in western Sweden?

Hard to say – every part of the season has its own charm. Pick a period:

Closed season Closed season

Wading angler in a shallow spring bay near Valön

1 April to mid-April

Season opener

The sea trout season on the west coast opens on 1 April. The shallow bays warm up, the fish haven't seen a lure for months and, after a winter often spent in the rivers, they want to put on weight fast. In the right conditions the fishing can be wonderfully busy.

Shallow, sunny bays warm up first
Fish are still lean at first – that changes through April

Fly fisher at dusk on an early-summer evening in Bohuslän

Mid-April to end of June

Spring – peak season

The classic high season. Even shallow water is now in the sea trout's comfort zone, so you can fish a huge range of spots. Days keep getting longer – from June on you can spend hours and hours by the water.

Widest choice of spots: beaches, sounds, reefs, rocks
Shrimp patterns in sand and tan are my first choice
Bright midsummer nights – fishing almost round the clock

Deep rocky bay in Bohuslän that holds sea trout even in summer

July and August

Summer – deep and at night

Once the water passes 17 °C, the fish move to deeper areas during the day. That's when rocky spots with deep water right off the shore fish best. Evenings and nights are especially exciting, when surface flies and lures work brilliantly.

Deep bays and rocky edges hold fish even in high summer
Pack a sinking line
At night, black gives the best silhouette against the bright sky

Coloured late-season sea trout in a landing net

September

Autumn – the big ones arrive

Before the closed season begins on 1 October, big fish move close to the shore once more. Water temperatures are ideal and the sea trout are in a feeding mood.

Many fish are already coloured – orange catches!
Work stream mouths and fjord bays

Closed season: sea trout on Sweden's west coast are protected from 1 October to 31 March. Please check the current rules with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (Havs- och vattenmyndigheten) before every trip.

05 — Where we fish

From Uddevalla to Fjällbacka.

Wind, weather and season decide where we go. Bohuslän has a sheltered corner for almost any conditions.

I live right in the heartland of Swedish sea trout fishing: the nearest sea trout beach near Munkedal is only about 15 minutes away. We agree the exact meeting point the day before – usually around Munkedal, Uddevalla, Sotenäs or Lysekil.

GullmarsfjordFjordDeep edges, stream mouths and spots that produce fish time and again – dreamlike in the evening light.
Uddevalla & HafstenSounds & reefsA really interesting reef running into a sound – with the Uddevalla bridge in the background.
MunkedalFjord baysThe home beach: sheltered, varied and close by.
Sotenäs & HunnebostrandSkerriesShallow spring bays and archipelago – quiet even in high summer.
Lysekil & NäverkärRocky coastGorgeous rocky shores in the evening light around the Näverkär nature reserve.
Fjällbacka & VeddöOpen coastVaried landscapes with top summer spots hiding at the foot of the rocks.

06 — Gallery

Impressions from the coast.

Pictures from the season – with a few tips I've picked up by the water.

Archipelago near Hunnebostrand in Bohuslän — The skerries near Hunnebostrand. Even in midsummer you'll have the shore to yourself.

Sea trout of about 55 cm in a landing net — A dream fish, about 55 cm long.

Fishing spot near Hafsten with the Uddevalla bridge in the background — A great spot near Hafsten – the motorway bridge at Uddevalla in the background.

Guide choosing shrimp flies from a fly box — Shrimp flies are always hot candidates. My favourites are sand and tan patterns.

Rocky shore with deep water in Bohuslän — Typical Bohuslän: rocky shores dropping straight into deep water.

Two sea trout on a rock by the shore — You may keep two sea trout a day at most – one for dinner is usually plenty.

Angler casting from a rock — You don't always have to wade!

Sea trout in a rubber landing net — A soft rubber net is kind to the fish.

Rocky shore in evening light near the Näverkär nature reserve — Rocky shore in the evening light near the Näverkär nature reserve.

Sea trout caught on a small, subtle fly — Very small and subtle, on an extra-long leader: that's how you still catch in bright, calm weather.

Glassy fjord in the morning — A morning like this is pure joy – though rarely easy fishing.

Sea trout caught at a stream mouth — Well into the 50s – taken right at the mouth of a stream.

Sea trout angler silhouetted at sunset — Don't go home in this light! Switch to darker colours and fish a little shallower.

Wading near Valön in spring — Near Valön in spring: the shallows warm up – and the trout come by.

Coloured sea trout in autumn — An already coloured late-season trout. Orange catches!

Small shrimp fly against the evening light — Small shrimp flies are often a safe bet.

Fishing spot on the Gullmarsfjord — A spot on the Gullmarsfjord that produces fish time and again.

Pines silhouetted against the bright night sky — Why black works so well at night: against the brighter sky it gives the best contrast.

Lichen and the archipelago off Fjällbacka with Veddö nature reserve — Lichen in front, the archipelago off Fjällbacka and Veddö nature reserve behind.

Morning mood over the water near Hafsten — Morning near Hafsten, where an exciting reef runs into a sound.

Guide Raphael holding a sea trout on calm water — Glassy surface, sunshine – tricky conditions. It worked anyway.

Evening fishing below a rock face — In the evening the fish come right in close – long casts are rarely needed.

Low sun over the skerry coast on an early-summer night — Low sun on an early-summer night. There are few places you'd rather be.

Fly fisher in the sunset glow on the Gullmarsfjord — Evening on the Gullmarsfjord.

Raphael, sea trout guide in Bohuslän, tying on a fly

07 — Meet your guide

Hej, I'm Raphael.

More than 25 years with a rod in hand – over time I went from pure spin angler to mostly fly fisher.

Since 2018 I've lived with my family in Bohuslän and fished the west coast intensively, especially northern Bohuslän. I love taking newcomers out to explore the fjord, the skerries or the open sea together.

Fishing for: 25+ years
In Bohuslän since: 2018
Methods: Fly & spin
Languages: English · German · Swedish

Guiding for the love of it

Granite & Green isn't a guiding company – and doesn't want to become one. There's no tour catalogue, no price list and no packages. I spend my free time by the water and enjoy taking along people who'd like to get to know this coast.

How we shape our day together is something we'll talk through personally once you get in touch.

More about Raphael

08 — At a glance

Rules & gear.

West coast rules

Licence: not required (rod & reel in the sea)
Season: 1 April – 30 September
Closed season: 1 October – 31 March
Minimum size: 45 cm
Bag limit: max. 2 sea trout per day

Fly fishing

Single-hand rod, 9 ft, #6–7
Intermediate line, plus a sinking line in summer
Shrimp patterns in sand and tan
Black patterns for the night
Long leader on glassy water

Spin fishing & extras

Spinning rod approx. 2.70 m (9 ft), 10–30 g
Waders and wading boots
Rubber landing net for gentle handling
Loan gear incl. waders on request
We're happy to bring food along

09 — FAQ

Questions about sea trout guiding.

Anything else? Just drop me a line – even if we don't end up fishing together, I'm happy to help with tips on the fishing and the area.

Do I need a fishing licence to fish for sea trout in the sea in Sweden?

No. Fishing with rod and reel from the shore on Sweden's west coast is free for private anglers and needs no licence. Seasons and size limits do apply: on the west coast sea trout are protected from 1 October to 31 March, the minimum size is 45 cm and you may keep no more than two sea trout per person per day. We stick to these rules strictly.

When is the best time for sea trout on Sweden's west coast?

The season runs from 1 April to 30 September. The classic peak is mid-April to the end of June. In summer the fish are caught along deep rocky edges during the day and on the surface in the evening and at night. In September, before the closed season, big fish move close to the shore once more. More in the season guide.

What gear should I bring?

Your own waders, rod and reel are welcome. Fly: 9 ft, #6–7, intermediate line, plus sinking lines in summer. Spin: a rod of about 2.70 m (9 ft) casting 10–30 g. If you don't have gear, I can arrange loan equipment including waders.

Is the guiding suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The day is tailored to your level. Besides finding spots, beginners learn the whole package – from the first cast to choosing and working lures and flies to tactics on the water. I'm happy to help with your first attempts on the fly rod.

Where do we meet?

It depends on wind and weather in Bohuslän – typically around Munkedal, Uddevalla, Sotenäs or Lysekil. We agree the exact spot the day before.

How much does sea trout guiding cost?

You won't find a price list here – on purpose. My trips aren't a commercial offering; they happen in my free time and out of the joy of sharing this coast. We'll talk through how the day works, how long it lasts and everything else personally, once you get in touch.

How many sea trout can you catch in a day?

Bohuslän is known not for the biggest but for very many sea trout. In good conditions a dozen fish or more in a day is realistic – though fishing never comes with a guarantee.

How do I get to Bohuslän?

Bohuslän lies about one hour north of Gothenburg. Ferries run from Kiel (Germany) and Frederikshavn (Denmark) to Gothenburg, and Göteborg Landvetter Airport is about 80 minutes away by car.

Is there accommodation nearby?

Yes – for example our Treeline Studio: a tiny house with sauna and lake view near Munkedal, about 15 minutes from the nearest sea trout beach. I especially enjoy fishing with guests of the studio.

10 — More on Granite & Green