Chasing Wild Waters: Fly Fishing and Photography in the Heart of Scandinavia

With: bastienartigas

We recently caught up with Bastien, a talented fly angler and visual storyteller whose roots run deep in the Pyrenees but whose soul found its stride among the wild waters of Scandinavia. As someone who’s spent a lifetime balancing rods, reels, and camera rigs, Bastien shares what it means to truly slow down and connect with both the fish and the frame. Whether it’s a rising trout under the midnight sun or a perfectly timed shutter click on a mossy bank, Bastien reminds us that the best stories on the river often come from those willing to carry a bit more gear—and a whole lot of heart.

Bastien, what first sparked your interest in fly fishing, and how did that passion evolve alongside your photography and filmmaking?

I’ve been fishing since I was a kid, alongside my father and brother, in the French Pyrenees where we’re from. My dad started fly fishing back in the ’80s, and he was the one who introduced us to it. But I only really began taking it seriously around the age of twenty. Back then, photography wasn’t part of the picture yet, that came much later, mainly after I moved to Scandinavia.

It was here that I picked up a camera for the first time and began learning how to use it. I started by focusing mainly on landscapes.

Eventually, when I began going on fishing trips with Swedish friends, everything started to click. It felt like the perfect match: my passion for fishing and this growing love for photography. The two started to feed off each other. Being out in nature with a rod and a camera gave my images more context, more story. It wasn’t just about beautiful scenery anymore, it became about capturing the full experience.

Your work beautifully captures the outdoor experience—how do you balance being behind the camera with actually fishing? 

That’s one of the hardest parts sometimes, finding the balance between capturing and experiencing. Over time, I’ve learned to slow down and take fewer photos, to be more intentional and selective with what I shoot. I always keep my setup ready, so I can react quickly without it becoming a distraction. On some of the smaller streams, you often have to take turns anyway, which gives a natural rhythm and space to shoot without interrupting the fishing.

When the fishing slows down, I usually go around and take photos. It gives me the same kind of satisfaction. Whether it’s a beautiful trout or a perfectly framed shot. Both feel like a reward. It’s all part of the same experience for me.

It’s always a balance between capturing the story and staying connected to .

Sweden offers some incredible fly fishing opportunities. What’s your favorite type of water to fish, and what makes it special?

The amount of water in Sweden makes it endless to explore. What I really like is the sense of wilderness, often there’s no one around, and in summer, the midnight sun adds to the magic. But my favourite places are definitely the mountain rivers. They’re mostly untouched, and that makes them feel truly wild. For me, the surroundings are just as important as the fishing itself. I’m not chasing trophy fish , it’s more about the whole experience. But of course, if you can have both, that’s the jackpot.

When you’re filming a fly fishing trip, what’s the biggest challenge in getting the perfect shot while still enjoying the moment?

Filming can be really challenging especially when you’re also trying to take photos and fish.  Balancing all three can be overwhelming. You don’t want to miss a special moment, so you find yourself constantly alert, scanning the light, adjusting settings, thinking in both stills and motion. That’s why last year, I decided to take a break and just enjoy the experience with my friends to fish without any pressure. Since I work with photo and video all year long, I really needed that pause. Gear is also a challenge. Even though I try to keep things minimalist, it’s still extra weight in the backpack.

If you could travel anywhere in the world for a dream fly fishing and photography trip, where would it be and why?

Honestly is so much to explore here in Scandinavia that I don’t have the urge to go too far away. However I allways dream about going to Patagonia, Iceland or Montana for example, so it will probably happen one day. It’s also all about balancing personal life and fishing trips.