Kabushka Float
Russia
There are a great many remarkable trout rivers in Kamchatka, Russia; however, when getting from here to there is anything but easy, there is one in particular that will all but guarantee your results are more than worth your efforts. Protected by its code name “the Cabbage,” the Kapushka is ideally suited to self sufficient anglers who enjoy thoroughly working a river on foot. Its broad shallow flows are easy to wade but landing its monster trout is another thing altogether. Conservative estimates place the system’s average trout at 24 inches with specimens of 30 inches landed on almost every float. More remarkable is that these fish are incredibly thick for their size making a shot at a trout in the 15-20 pound class a distinct possibility.
Our outfitter has many years experience on the river and prefers letting anglers wade fish the meandering flows while the rafts, equipped with comfortable camping equipment bring up the rear. Typically the designated float length will be less than 30 total miles, enabling game anglers to walk and wade the vast majority of the river over the course of a week. With a handful of mice, some big streamers, and a solid eight weight, this is the ultimate Kamchatka trip.
Location:
The Kapushka flows from east west and empties into the Sea of Okhotsk. It is is within reasonable flying distance from Petro.
Fishing Program:
Ouzel Expedition trips have one guide for every two anglers. Their rafts are set up so that both anglers can fish at the same time and their guides are both experienced anglers and oarsmen. When appropriate (and or requested) anglers can walk the stream, fishing it all and the rafts will follow behind. The crew will make and break camp as well as deal with all the meals and dishes. Since walk and fishing is the norm, these trips are best suited to fairly independent anglers, as the guides will often be walking the boats downriver and or making/breaking camp.
Kapushka River:
The Kapushka River is the kingdom of giant rainbow trout! Over its 70 mile course you might only float 13 miles in a week it is so good. It has the biggest rainbow trout ever seen in Kamchatka. Even better, there are lots of them and it is an easy river to wade. It is shallow and wide with a pumice and gravel bottom strewn with very few boulders. It flows wide and is knee deep through most of its course. Vast rolling mountains and volcanoes flank the shore of this ever clear spring creek. It doesn’t ever muddy. All in all, it is a real good bet. Robust rainbows average 24 to 26 inches and fish over 32 inches in length have been landed. Chars, kings, sockeye, silvers and chum salmon all spawn in the magnificent river. If you like big rainbows, this is your dream river!
Accommodations and Meals:
Ouzel Expeditions offers complete moveable camps with tents that are light and highly wind / water-resistant. Ouzel will provide you with waterproof gear storage bags and a thermarest air mattress, however, they do not provide sleeping bags or pillows.
Ouzel makes a point of setting camp on or near productive pools. It is a wonderful way to see the country, wildlife, fish and enjoy the wilderness in comfort. Their large kitchen tent affords guests shade and shelter. In late September and October, this tent is heated. They have folding director chairs with back rests in camp and at the dinner table. During the day you can sit in these chairs in the raft. There is a portable shower for your use and each night a toilet is set up outside the camp.
While on the river Ouzel Expeditions has expert Russian cooks. The traditional Russian meals are plentiful and delicious!
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Ouzel Expeditions float trip you need to make flight arrangements to/from Petropavlovsk, Russia via Anchorage Alaska. You will need to overnight in Anchorage before departing on a flight Petropavlovsk. You will be responsible for making arrangements for all flights as well as accommodations in Anchorage.
Getting to the Put-in: You will be transported by helicopter to the put-in. Please refer to your itinerary for specific trip details.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be transported by helicopter back to Petropavlovsk to meet your connecting flight home.
Upon arrival in Kamchatka you will have to fill out a Russian Declaration with passport number, how much cash and expensive items listed. Keep it folded inside your passport. You’ll need it if you go to a bank. You’ll also need it when you depart Russia. You’ll have to fill out a new declaration when you depart Russia too. It’s nice to have a pen handy when filling out your declaration on the plane before clearing customs and again when checking into your departing flight.
Documentation Requirements:
You will need a valid passport and a Russian tourist visa. Once we receive your deposit for your trip to Kamchatka we will provide you with all the information needed to get your Russian visa.
If you live in the United States, Red Star Travel can handle the visa processing. Red Star Travel is located in Seattle and can hand carry your passport and visa application and all paperwork into the Russian Embassy.
If you live outside the United States Ouzel will issue a Letter of Invitation after receiving copies of your passport photo and signature pages.You will then need to procure a Russian tourist visa through the Russian Embassy in either the country you are from or the country in which you currently reside. The embassy can provide you with the application and instructions particular to your situation.
To participate in the activities with Ouzel Expeditions, guests will be required to sign Ouzel Expedition’s Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risks and Assumption of Risk and Responsibility Form prior to going on-site.
Medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip and trip insurance is strongly recommended.
Travel and Health Considerations:
Bears: You will see bears. The guides carry guns. Bears normally run quickly and are hard to get good pictures of. Make plenty of noise while on the river. Do not bring bear mace.
Bugs: OFF has a new kind of insect repellent with both Deet and Skin So Soft in it. Deet, the main ingredient in most insect repellents works well against mosquitoes but does not work that well against black gnats and no-seeums. The Avon product, “Skin so Soft” works well against black gnats and no-see-ums. Shoo Bug jackets are also handy. You don't have to spray the insect repellent on yourself; just put it on your shirt and hat. Aerosol insect repellent is nice, that way you don't have to get it on your hands, although it is pretty hard on fishing line and plastic.
Travel Cash:
We recommend you bring extra cash in case of an emergency. Please do not bring traveler’s checks as they require going to bank and the lines there can be very long. Travel with cash and bring only new clean, non-damaged $100 and $20 bills. Russian banks and stores only accept clean, new bills. More and more places accept credit cards these days. Ouzel accepts MasterCard or Visa. There are bank card machines all over now. You can get Rubles right from them.
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $500-$600 for staff & guide gratuities, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide & staff gratuities of approximately 10-15% of your package price. This should be given in cash to the head guide at the end of your trip.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included and will issued on-site. Licenses cost $160 for a week.
Climate:
The weather in Kamchatka is temperate and coastal. It gets a lot of snow in winter and spring runoff is high and muddy in June. The weather is a lot like that in the Rockies; July and August temperatures can be from the 50’s to the high 90’s, cool nights, hot days. It’s warmer and a little rainy like Alaska. September is in the 70’s but can frost.
Medical Facilities:
The Ouzel Expeditions float is not near any medical facility. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Note: Medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. We recommend Global Rescue coverage.
Power and Communications:
American cell phones with International service have worked in Kamchatka the last four summers. The outfitter has been able to bring satellite phones into Kamchatka for years. You can also bring your own. Ouzel will have a satellite phone on each trip. It’s for emergency use only. If your family needs to contact you, please have them call 1.800.825.8196, Ouzel’s toll free number in Alaska. Have them leave their message and the Ouzel office staff will contact the crew in Kamchatka on their satellite phone.
Water:
We highly recommend you bring a personal water filter or squeeze bottle water filter. You can just dip these bottles into the river and drink it. The inexpensive personal charcoal water filters are all you need. Or, you can bring a water bottle and fill it from our large water filter.
Clothing:
As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Typical fishing clothing consists of synthetic long underwear, fleece jacket and pants, hooded sweatshirt, and a good fishing rain jacket. Fingerless gloves are nice for cold mornings, and bring along a warm hat for early and late season fishing. For anglers made particularly uncomfortable by biting insects, pack along a mosquito head net if visiting during the first half of the season.
Packing your River Clothing:
We suggest that you put all your river clothes in a zippered bag approximately 2-1/2 ft x 16". This way it can drop right into the waterproof bag that will already contain your sleeping bag and thermarest pad. Ouzel will loan you a large waterproof bag and a small “day bag” in Petropavlovsk before the trip. (Or, you can bring your own waterproof bags.) Things like wading shoes, waders, and fishing tackle do not need to go in the waterproof bag. You can put them in a duffle bag. This way you can check your waterproof bag and the duffel bag with the airline, and remember do not put fish hooks in your carry-on luggage.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Ouzel provides limited vodka and beer in camp. Guests are welcome to bring their own.
Kubhshka River Video
