Linköping and Flint Michigan....Partners?

So, whats in it for us? Flint? Linköping? Me?

Lots of people have asked, though the answers are not necessarily available. What am I talking about? The Flint-Linköping connection, no not that I live here and I am from Flint, but the Biogas Plant that is going to be produced there and a "collaboration" between Kettering, Linköping University and Swedish Biogas International.

So, back to the question. I have been asked by many whether or not I am directly involved in the project. The answer is no, at least I dont think so. Officially, we are, but unofficially we are not. I think we have been left out on the information, but hopefully something will happen soon.

Despite the fact that there are HUGE amounts of money going around to fund research and projects about Flint, Biogas and Transport, we are not part of it yet, even though we have tried to be. Personally I would be thrilled to be a part of this. I am conducting my PhD on how to better biofuel development in Sweden and other countries by Industrial Symbiosis, Synergies and production with other biofuels (making use of by-produts, waste heat and energy). I have researched and work with sustainable transportation on the implementation of biofuels for transport in Stockholm and Troyes (France). I live in Linköping and work at Linköping University (Department of Environmental Management and Technology). Finally, I am from FLINT. Despite this, I have heard nothing.

I have tried to become a part of this, obtain research funding to connect the cities and my research and have made a few contacts...but it stops there. Nonetheless, Linköping can provide GREAT examples to Flint as I personally know. Much of the reports you'll see on TV are not made up, they are true. We recycle, use wastes, drive small cars with biogas and have heated streets and bike everywhere. Its just life here, period. It can be done! So, Flint, DO IT! Moreover, our department is great at analyzing systems, energy plans and putting sustainble development to work with actors and contacts.

If you want to check out some videos about Flint, Linköping and anything about the collaboration here you go!

Linköping-Flint Videos

Moreover, if you want to see at least something about my research, here is my poster for my new project.
Research Project

Fishing in Sälen, Dalarna (Swedish Mountains at the Norwegian Border)

Here's a little provsmak (taste test) of the weekend up in the Swedish mountains near Sälen. What an amazing trip! Lots of grayling, beautiful weather, beautiful nature, good friends and really cold! The fishing was okay in some spots, but amazing in others...you really have to work to find a nice place, but when you do...DONT LEAVE! We found our smultronstället and had a great time fishing a sulphur hatch. Will be back here again!

The Secret Spot

Le Tour Eiffel?

The River

Oh Shit!

Base Camp near the river

Wild Swine!

Davie in one nice hole

"THE SPOT"

A Full Fiesta (Davie and his Euro pose) hahahah

Finally, one of many nice Grayling ("Harr" in Swedish)

Awesome Weekend! Fly Fishing and Hockey

This weekend was amazing! Friday night I went to a really cool party for international students here at the University. The next day, several friends and I went and watched the Nordic Trophy championships in hockey...LINKÖPING WON!!! YEAH BABY! WE ROCK!

Today (Sunday), Sofia and I decided to do something differnt...driver over to Mellanströmmen and give some Fly fishing lessons to Sofia. She did GREAT! Really, I'm very impressed, and she had lots of patience. No fish for anyone we saw...but......I GOT ONE!!! I think it was like my 3rd cast and I got it on a grasshopper imitation.

Next weekend Davie and I head up near the Norwegian border and mountains by Sälen to do some grayling fishing, PICS TO COME!

Tälta på Utö (Camping on Utö Island)

Last weekend Ovi, Marianne, Sofia and I decided to do something new and go camping on Utö! It went awesome. A nice island, nice company, great views, lots of mosquitos, wonderful taste of mosquito spray and the beginning of more adventures!

Only thing that went bad is that when we got back to the car, someone broke into our car to steal 12 kr...yeah, thats about $2.00 in change! More fixing to do on the Fiesta.....

Ovi and Marianne

Ovi Crammed in the back of our Fiesta

Me, Sofia, Marianne and Ovi

A view over Utö

Chinese Pose!

Fishing at Emån....Again

Heres a few pics from the latest outing (2 weeks ago) at Emån. No fish, lots of rain but still a good experience. Me and my spey rod are getting some more experience. Hopefully...soon LAX!

Harrfiske i Harkån (Grayling Fishing in Harkån River) The Boys Reunited!

Here's a little taste of our recent trip to the North (well, middle) of Sweden. About 1 hour north of Östersund is a wonderful place run by an outdoor company. Check it out at www.jaktfiske.se

Tolik, Davie and I were there last year and had a great time fishing for grayling. This year, Myself, Johan, Tolik and Artur went up to try out luck. Wasnt as great as last year due to the super warm and dry weather weve had in Sweden the past 3 weeks. The last week it has been raining and cold though, but the fishing and river have been hit hard by this. Low,warm water is not the best for fishing, but with some nymphs and a little lead (sink putty, not real lead) we got down to a few good ones. Even some dries worked good as there was a good hatch of caddis. Tolik and his buddy Artur had a great time swimming and picking mushrooms for our dinners!
It is a long ride up there, but it was great! Im going back again next year. This time it might be myself, Ron and my mom!

Caviar from Russia

Johan and his dog Morrison

Tolik, Always posing!

Tolik and Artur, Expert Mushroom Hunters!

The River, Low and Warm but nice

Me out in the river

Fika Time

Me and a nice Grayling

Johan, Tolik and I at the last dinner

Laxfiske i Laholm (Salmon Fishing in Laholm)

Well, I made it to Laholm to do some Salmon fishing in Lagan River.
To sum it up, here it goes....

Low Water, 90 degrees (nearly 30 C) and fish everywhere....but I caught nothing.
Met some GREAT people, fished a lot and BOUGHT A NEW SPEY ROD! Yeah baby, a two-hander! Its a bit tricky to use, but the casting is good and requires less energy to do.

Camped near the river, brought my little gas stove and tent and tried more the next day. Was hard, hot and no one caught anything (from what I know).

Hopefully, I'll get back out again soon. I even have a few small rivers in the area, Norrköping and Nyköping. Tolik, myself and Tolik's buddy (and maybe my buddy Johan) will be going up NORTH to fish. Hårkan and Lagån, two incredible Jämtland rivers. I'll post a bit more later!

Laxflugor (Salmon Flies)

"You wonderful Salmon in Lagan river, you are a living fire,
it is marvelous to catch you when you are fresh and expensive!"

My new double hand Spey Rod

3 Salmon Hotel in Laholm