Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the Kola camp, transfers to/from Murmansk to the camp, guided fishing.
Not Included: Airfare, hotels and meals in Helsinki and/or Murmansk, round-trip air from Helsinki to Murmansk, alcohol, canned beverages, bottled water, laundry service at the lodge, visa fees and gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Kola River Lodge you need to make flight arrangements to Helsinki, Finland and overnight there. We will assist you with these overnight accommodations.
Getting to the Lodge: The following morning you will take a charter from Helsinki to Murmansk (approximately 2 hours). In Murmansk after a long disembarking and customs process, anglers will be met by representatives from the lodge and transferred 45 minute by van to the lodge. The lodge packages and charter schedule are based on a Saturday to Saturday schedule.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be driven to the airport in Murmansk for a midday flight to Helsinki.
Approximate Flying Times to Helsinki: Los Angeles: 12 hours • Dallas: 11 hours • Miami: 11 hours • New York: 9 hours.
Documentation Requirements:
All anglers will need a valid passport, a Russian Visa, a boarding pass for the Finnair charter and their room confirmation number for their overnight in Helsinki.
Fly Water Travel will help you through the invitation and Visa process.
Please note that you will need to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your return date and you will need to send you actual passport off for several weeks in order to get your Russian visa. The non-expedited visa process typically costs about $225.
Please arrive at the airport with your airline tickets, valid passport, and Russia visitor’s visa. Additionally, we recommend making copies of the above, including your photo page of your passport and storing these in a separate place from your originals. When in the country internal security will typically retain your passport as a standard procedure. Please do not be alarmed by this practice. Additionally, retain your stamped customs documents for presentation upon departure.
Currency:
There is no need exchange money as tips and bar tabs are best paid for with US dollars. All payments must be made in cash and no credit cards are accepted.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $1,000 - $1,200 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, etc.
Gratuities:
The minimum requested guide tip is $250 per angler per week. $350-$400 is not uncommon if anglers really enjoyed their guide and fishing experience. These moneys should be paid directly to you guide at the end of the week, and preferably after your last day of fishing. The recommended tip for the house staff is $150-$200. This money should be given to the camp manager the last night.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not needed.
Climate:
The climate on Kola River varies widely. June is often cold, wet and windy with temperatures dropping frequently into the 30’s and 40’s. This can also happen in July so bring clothing for all conditions. Daytime highs can at time beat 85 degrees so come prepared for the full spectrum.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Murmansk, approximately 45 minutes from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
The lodge has 24 hour power. It is standard European 220 volt and can easily be converted with a two prong adapter. Rooms have ample outlets.
While the lodge lacks an accessible phone landline and internet, cell phones (contact your carrier for international service upgrade) and blackberries work well at the lodge.
Water:
Tap water is potable and has never proven to be a source of concern. Bottled water is available for your time on the water and is added to your tab at the end of the week. In 2008 the price was $2 US per bottle. Refilling these bottles from the tap also works well.
Clothing:
Warm socks, polar fleece pullovers or sweaters, warm hat, warm fishing gloves, a quality waterproof wading jacket, synthetic long underwear and fleece pants. Also bring quick dry shirts and Buzz-Off shirts for warm weather. Dress is very casual at the lodge.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Foreign visitors are allowed to bring two liters of alcohol into Russia. The lodge has no problem with guests doing so. The lodge also has an assortment of wines available for approximately $35 per bottle as well as 16 once beers available for $5 per bottle. Note that prices throughout Russia are subject to change without notice!
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rod: 13-15 ft. spey rods for line weights 8-10. 9-10 ft. single hand rods for line weights 8-10.
Reel: Any good reel with a strong drag and at least 200 yards of 30 pound backing.
Lines: Interchangeable sink tip lines such as the Rio Windcutter or Skagit are particularly important in June. Full sinking Scandinavian heads are also useful at this time. As the season progresses, more and more of the fishing is dome with floating and or intermediate lines. For late June and early July most angler swill be fine with a Rio floating AFS head and a selection of floating and sinking leaders.
Leaders/Tippet: Leaders should be strong and 15-30 pound tippet is the most popular. While leaders for floating line fishing need not be exceedingly long, many Scandinavian heads cast best with leaders that are 15 plus feet long. When fishing hitched tubes, it is often important to shorten ones leader so it doesn’t drown the fly. For angler using AFS heads, the floating Rio leader can be used with 5-8 ft of level Maxima, or you can forego the floating leader and fish12- 15 ft tapered knotless leader in the 15-20 tippet class.
Flies: Regulations on the Kola prohibit barbs and treble hooks, but doubles are fine. With that said the guides are lax on this policy and many like both barbs and trebles. Fish inspectors (which are rare) don’t like barbs and trebles so know that there is a calculated risk when fishing as you please. Generally speaking the season starts out with big tube flies (both brass and plastic) dominating the scene. By late June and through July, smaller tubes and flies in the #6-10 range are also working well. Bombers, skating dries, and hitched tubes are also very productive during the warmer part of the season.
Some of the better patterns follow: Pack a wide range of sizes.
Tubes: Sunray Shadow 2’’-6’’, Collie Dog, Willie Gunn, red and black Francis (on brass), Kolander, Temple Dog, small tubes with side holes for hitching
Flies (double hooks proffered): Green Highlander, Blue Charm, Red Butt, Cascade, Mickey Finn, GP, Ally’s Shrimp.
Dries: Green Machine, assorted bombers, October Caddis Pom Skater, and small tubes for hitching.
Waders and Boots: Breathable waders with felted boots are best for this trip. Cleated boots work poorly on these rivers and are tough on the Russian rafts. Anglers prone to cold feet might consider boot foot waders for the early season. A personal floatation devise is also worth considering, as the lodge does not provide life jackets!
