Fishing, tar trade and rapid shooting

The River Oulujoki has been an important itinerary and trade route since the Stone Age. During the golden age of the tar trade in the 19th century, up to 30,000 barrels of Kainuu tar were rowed into the city of Oulu annually. The rapids of the river attracted tourists from abroad, and the heads of state also went to try rafting. Wealthy “salmon lords”, especially from England, came to the river to catch salmons. The River Oulujoki was known for salmon in the Swedish court as early as the 16th century, and it is said that the bells of Muhos Church played “Salmon bread, salmon bread”. The Leppiniemi hanging bridge and tourist lodge (1934) opened up views of the free-flowing Pyhäkoski, where salmon dams and skilfully shooting boats were visible. The wild foams of the river have plagued many folk tales with their giants.