Spring salmon fishing. New season.

Finally, we have the opportunity to introduce you to the new salmon fishing season on the south coast of the Kola Peninsula. Season this year we started from May 15. This is the usual time for the opening of the season. Set of salmon that entered the river in the fall, going on reaches and wait out the winter. Last week of May and beginning of June, considered to be one of the best periods for catching salmon.

By autumn fish joins salmon that come into the river immediately after the ice melted. Winter fish differs from the presence of spring lilac shade on the skin of the back and a few more lean body. Often you can see small wounds and lesions on the skin of salmon, which had to stand in the river all winter. Interestingly, in May on the fly caught salmon are not the biggest. Welterweight winter fish is 2.5 - 3.5 kg. Although the fall in river salmon come in 8 kg weight. Apparently, large salmon quickly lose their aggressiveness in freshwater rivers. This can be seen in August, when the activity of the fish increases and large salmon are back on the hook. Salmon that come into the river after an ice drift in May differ decent size and reach 3-4 kg. Of particular interest is catching large males, which appear in the river in early June. They reach 5-5.5 kg weight and 78-82 centimeters in length.

Change in water level and temperature significantly affect the behavior of salmon. Increased transparency of the water increases the activity of fish. Lowering the water level and temperature rise leads to passivity autumn fish, but increases the activity of marine salmon that increase their numbers in the river.

In general, spring salmon fishing is characterized by the following positive features:

1. A large number of  autumn fish that wintered in the river

2. High activity of the fish in cold water

3. Presence of a large fall fish in the river 

4. Appearance of  the active  fresh fish

5. Appearance of the large and active fresh  fish in the river

To the negative points are:

1. Unpredictable water levels

2. Reduction comfortable fishing seats due to the high water level.

3. Rapid change of water temperature and the activity of salmon

Therefore, in each period on the river, we have to adapt to a mixture of salmon that entered the river at different times, have different activity, occupy different places and require different techniques of fishing.

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Spring salmon fishing on the rivers of Kola Peninsula.

Part 1

Salmon season  on rivers Chavanga, Strelna and Varzuga begins in May. This period is characterized by high water levels in rivers, cold water and big quantity  of fish. With the increase of water temperature of 6-8 C   salmon becomes active and reacts to artificial flies. Therefore, for many anglers last May - first June weeks are the best start to the season.

The problem is that spring comes every time another. Therefore, the situation on the river almost never repeated. Keep in mind that the simplest combination of temperature and water level is complicated because we have to take into account a host of other factors. One of the most important is the dynamics of these factors. For example, the high temperature of 18-20 degrees is not a threat to the activity of the fish. But if the temperature is increased in a few days, then it will lead to a significant decrease in activity.

This is the case in the spring, a sharp change in transparency, water level and temperature decreases   fish activity. A very important factor is the state of the rivers in the winter. Especially dangerous are  hard frost  and  freezing of the  rivers. Drastically reduces the number of suitable sites for salmon. A considerable part of the fish may die under the ice.. The transition from winter to spring is often strongly influenced on    spring fishing. The rapid melting of snow and ice leads to a very intense lifting and movement of water and  ice. Traffic jams of ice, which is deprived of the salmon sites. Part of the fish is killed by  stormy spring break.

For these reasons, the behavior of salmon in the new season may significantly differ from the picture that we remember from last year. The fish can be different in temperament, others positions  in the river, and a completely different reaction to our flies. Therefore, our last year's technique, fly, which we had placed so much hope, work is not as good as last year. Every year we have to try to understand what has changed in the river, what factors were decisive for the behavior of salmon. Then we have a chance to choose the right tactics for fishing, identify promising places to find the best equipment and gear.

  Part 2

The main problem that we face in the spring - is a high water level. In a large volume of water is difficult to navigate and find parking salmon. The river changes its nature, salmon chooses way to go up the river and places to stay  that are not obvious to us  .  Most often we have to use tackles  that   can bring  our  fly closer to the bottom. Here there are four choices,1.  use a heavy line (leader) and a heavy fly -.2.  use only   heavy line,3.  use a heavy fly on a floating line 4.  and use special techniques presentations that allow you to omit the fly sink. The correct choice between these options or the right combination determines the success of catching salmon. Given my own experience, I would suggest using a normal fly on a sinking line for use in such areas of the river where we can not confidently know   where salmons are staying.  . In this case, we have to present the fly over a wide area. This option is suitable for fishing on the broad reach, it allows you to quickly test a large area. Sometimes we find a good place in which salmon attack one after the other. With high water levels cause accumulation of fish in a certain place is not clear to us. But in the summer, we often find in this place - for example - a few individual stones that served as a hiding place for salmon in the spring.  If we know in advance about the existence of such anomalies at the bottom, we can greatly narrow down your search and do not waste time fishing in unpromising places of the river. This is the right place to apply the floating line  and heavy flies. Floating line  facilitates casting and management of fly, and weight allows it to fly down towards the bottom. In this situation, we do not need to check   large area, we can focus on fishing in a particular location. If we can apply the casting upstream or casting slack line, we will be able to   deep  the fly to the desired location. Mending of varying intensity is very useful  to achieve the same goal. If you use the   upstream  mending  - fly reduces the speed downstream and an added opportunity to dive deeper. If we do Mending downstream, we make fly to move  across with increasing speed. This technique can cause salmon, but more often it is suitable for the first version, in which we have to handle a large area.


Part 3.

  High and cold water, season beginning, end of May – early June.

Location 1

Fishing at the  very deep places , large depth, big volume of the water,  the main stream, under rapids holes , deep plum.

Bottom  fishing by fast sinking line and large  heavy flies.

Flies -  2-inch copper tubes, Waddington and other heavy body, wing length  up to 10-12cm.

Colors are mostly bright, contrast, in the wing of a combination of red, yellow, black with bright elements on the body flies.

Location 2

  Slow, not a very deep pools, clamps along the river, small holes where salmon stays for rest.

Fishing near   the bottom,  sinking line  and flies   0.75-1.5 inch brass tubes, Waddington and other bodies  are not very heavy, wing length up to 8 cm.

Bright enough,   wing -  combination of red, yellow, green, black.

The very beginning of the summer, the water is still high and cold, but becomes brighter and the level falls.  First weeks of June.

Location 1

The same  deep places , large depth,   bottom  fishing by fast sinking line  at the main stream, under rapids holes , deep plum.

Flies -  0.75-1.5 inch copper tubes, Waddington and other major carriers, wing length up to 8 cm.

Bright enough,   wing -  combination of red, yellow, green, blue, black with bright elements on the body flies.

Location 2

  Slow, not a very deep pools, clamps along the river, small holes, fishing near   the bottom,  sinking line.  

Flies   0.75-1-inch brass tube, Waddington and others not the heavy  carriers  and single hooks № 2-4, wing length up to  6 cm.

The wing is dark, but with bright elements, too bright elements on the body flies.

Summer takes effect, light and water drops, warm up to 10-12 degrees.

Location 1

Deep places near the main stream,  large depth,  under rapids holes , deep plum,   means bottom  fishing by fast sinking line.   

Flies   0.5-1-inch brass tube, Waddington and others carriers,  double and single hooks № 2-4-6, wing length  5 cm.

The wing is mostly dark and bright elements on the body flies.

Location 2

In a  slow, not deep water we use  undersurface  fly on a intermediate line.   

Flies   0.5-0.75 inch brass or aluminum tubes and other light carriers, single and double hooks № 4-6, wing length and 5 cm .Wing dark, bright elements on the body flies.

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Spring salmon flies for Kola Peninsula.

I want to offer you several options flies for salmon fishing in the early season. Usually in the second half of May and early June the water level in the rivers of the Kola Peninsula is high enough. In many ways, water level and water temperature depends on the rate of melting snow. It is likely that this season will be an early spring conditions and salmon fishing in May and early June will be quite comfortable. Tactics of salmon fishing in May, in my opinion, remains the same. Therefore, I give you pictures of  mainly spring  salmon flies.

Salmon flies by Alex Zinin

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Salmon fishing in Russia. MIX tour. Strelna and Chavanga rivers.

Mixed programs

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Vasil Bykau

 We offer you the mixed programs of salmon fishing at the Kola Peninsula, Russia,  including salmon  fishing on the river Chavanga and on the river Strelna.

It allows you:

1.   Visiting 2 rivers, which have different character, conditions and fishing behavior, in one program tour.

2.   Allows to break a transfer from Murmansk into 2 parts, that makes the time spend during transfer more enjoyable.

3.   It is possible to prolong duration of tour from 6-7 nights to 9 or 10 nights, which is difficult to make on a one river tour.

4.   It is possible to make tour individual, choosing the river with the best conditions for the period of tour.

5.   It is possible to choose the most convenient time and a way of a transfer for movement between camps of Chavanga and Strelna. It is possible to begin with fishing  on Chavange, then to visit Strelna or on the contrary that reduces time of a continuous transfer.

6.   Choosing the mixed program, it is easier to organise non-standard groups.

7.   It is possible to make the program answering to financial inquiries of clients.

The mixed programs usually include some days of fishing on the river Chavanga and week on Strelna. Usually, these programs are popular in the middle of a season when they become more accessible at the price. Their basic advantage is possibility to correct the program on a place, having prolonged or having reduced fishing terms on Chavange or on Strelna. Here it is possible to consider an individual condition of the river directly during tour.

The tour includes:

1.    Transfer from Murmansk to camp and back

2.   Residing at the Strelna camp and Chavnaga fishing Lodge.

3.   З-х   meals

4.   Cost of fishing licenses

5.   Using a camp infrastructure - dryers, a bath, a chimney hall, the TV

6.   Services of the cook and the guides

7.   6  +  3 days of fishing

8.   The Visa help

9.  Murmansk hotel overnight

Possible weeks

                   Chavanga week 16- 22.06   and  Strelna 3 days   23- 26.06

                       or

                   Strelna 3 days  19 – 22.06 and Chavanga week  23 – 29.06

Such a scheme can be applied to the organization of the tour until mid-September.

Cost of the mixed programs

Cost of the mixed programs is calculated at cost of actual days of fishing on the rivers Chavanga and Strelna. The price depends on the program of tour and is co-ordinated with the organizer.

For example :

            6 days of Chavanga river fishing  and 3 days of Strelna river fishing.

            Totally = 9+ fishing days

            Price is  2900 euro per rod.

Kola on the cheap.

Salmon fishing trip in Russia

 Some of you must be interested in this.

 I spent a week on the Chavanga river during June after being forced to find some cheaper fishing for this years trip. The fishing was slow because of prolonged warm weather with fish still waiting in the estuary. Despite this I had a good time and feel that during a "normal" year the fishing would be very good. This is a South Kola river and salmon average 6-7lbs with 10lb+ fish being caught regularly.

 My flights were booked from Gatwick with an overnight in St Petersburg before an early departure to Murmansk. I booked a cheap hotel which arranged a taxi to and from the airport and the place turned out to be really nice. All my flights went on time and there was no hanging around in the airports. I wouldn't hesitate to take the same flights again. The overland transfers arranged by the operator went like clockwork too.

 Vasil, the owner/guide met me at Murmansk airport with another client from Germany who had stayed overnight in some cheap accommodation nearby which was also arranged by our operator. Vasil is from Belarus and speaks good English. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him and he showed remarkable patience while guiding us through a difficult week.

 The first part of the journey was by minibus to Umba with a stop off for some food and shopping. The tarmac runs out here and the next section is over gravel in a 4x4 van (zil?). Kola River Lodge anglers will be familiar with these. The road runs out at Varzuga where we crossed the river and spent 3 hours in a 6 wheel military truck over some really rough ground with absolutely no chance of any sleep! I try to tell myself that these journeys are part of the experience and having had a while to reflect on this one I wouldn't let it put me off returning. I quite enjoyed travelling along the beaches past long deserted fishing villages.

 Despite first appearances the accommodation was comfortable, a cleaner comes in everyday and clothes can be washed for a small charge. There is a separate banya which I really looked forward to using after fishing. I guess that the accommodation works better for a small group rather than the individual as there are two rooms with 3 beds in each. The house is in a coastal village with a population of about 50 during summer, it is never locked and rods were left outside with no worries.

 The village leaders are very keen on the fishing operation here because of the employment that it provides. There are no nets and other than in the village one rarely sees another angler.

 Vasil cooked whatever we asked for, there are no set meal times and I have suffered far worse food on previous trips. We fished some ridiculous hours (24hr daylight) without a 

ny grumbles from our host. Extra beer/vodka is available at a small shop.

 There are several miles of river available with the lower couple of miles reached on foot. The higher reaches are visited by ATV. A reasonable level of fitness would be advisable. I fell over 5 times and my foot still hurts from the last tumble! The river itself is stunning with a number of waterfalls present in the lower river. My 13ft rod covered everything and wading was easy, I didn't bother with a staff all week.

 The company has been in operation for 15 years at Chavanga and has mostly repeat clients which speaks volumes. It seems to be completely off the radar here. The website is easily found and has photographs. I can post some pictures if someone explains how.

 I have no connection with the operators, but feel that they deserve a break here. I will most likely return and hope for more normal weather. The fish started running in large numbers soon after departure!

  Mark Lambert

(I want to clarify that Mark visited Chavan'ga in one of the most difficult weeks of the season. Year was the most warm and dry over the last few years.  /Vasil B.)