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The Two-Yurt River is a classic and varied wilderness freestone stream in the heart of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Large enough to be mysterious yet small enough to cross, it is the ideal trout stream, with large numbers of rainbows averaging 20 inches and some as large as 30 inches. In addition to rainbows, the stream boasts impressive runs of pacific salmon as well as large grayling.  Trips consist of one day of walk-and-wade fishing followed by a float trip to a series of comfortable, fixed camps equipped with heated A-frames, framed cots, mess tents, hot showers, good food, and evening campfires. To add to the adventure, anglers row themselves downstream each day in personal pontoon boats, stopping at will to skate mice through an endless array of seductive water. This is a truly classic trip through some of the Kamchatka Peninsula’s most beautiful and productive trophy trout waters. For all who enjoy true multi-day river trips, rowing their own boats (through non-technical waters), and epic mouse and streamer fishing for hearty unsophisticated wild rainbows, this is the finest and most scenic trip available in all of Russia.  The Dvukhyurtochnaya River (referred to as Two – Yurt) is a beautiful small freestone river that headwaters some 3 1/2 hours north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in a remote mountainous region. The river flows out of Dvukhyurtochnaya lake and is a rather stable system that receives enormous runs of sockeye and king salmon. The river typically flows between 200 and 400 c.f.s. and is easily crossed in many areas.  The trip begins at a quaint primitive hunting camp on the lake. Due to the distance from Petropavlovsk, anglers typically arrive at the camp in the evening. There will be time to prepare gear, enjoy the hot spring, and wade fish the lake (which is usually packed with willing char, salmon, and the odd rainbow). The following day will be spent walk and wade the rivers upper reaches beneath the outlet and after the days fishing anglers will be flown downstream of the canyon to the first camp. Day three is spent walk and wade fishing up and downstream from camp and on day four and five and six will spent floating and fishing between new camps. Rafts are used for transport alone and all fishing is done while wading.  The river is densely populated with wild rainbows that range from 16-25 inches. They respond very well to skated mice, and other skated dries, and while streamers work well, they are rarely needed to catch fish. Catch rates are rather high with most anglers landing 15-30 fish a day that average 19 inches. Though small, the river is rugged and best suited to competent waders.
 
Two – Yurt Float Trip Travel:
To get to Kamchatka you will need to first make travel arrangements to Anchorage. You will need to arrive on Sunday due to the early morning flight out of Anchorage on Monday. You will be responsible for making arrangements for overnight accommodations in Anchorage (see section below). The next leg of your journey will be a flight on Vladdivostok Airline from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. You are responsible for booking your flight with Vladdivostok Air, and can do so with Red Star Travel after the first of the year. The Vladdivostok Air flight departs Monday mornings at 7:45 AM. The flight takes roughly four hours 10 minutes and begins by looping north and then heading nearly due south along the Russian/Siberian mainland. There are often spectacular views of the Peninsula from the starboard side of the plane. Anglers will cross four time zones and the international dateline, arriving Tuesday. It will be one hour later than the time in Anchorage.

When you land in Petro, expect the disembarking process to be slow. They take customs very seriously and typically call headquarters on each individual. Do not attempt to bring in cell phones or GPS units as they can be confiscated.

Before arrival into Kamchatka you will be required to fill out a customs declaration, this is a simple form and is self explanatory. When the plane lands you will spend a few minutes sitting before being told to deplane and get onto the bus. It is beneficial to try to get on the first bus as this will allow you to pass through customs and passport control before the rest of the plane. If you are with a group, please try to get them all off as soon as possible as this will expedite the transfer to camp. After clearing customs the lodge representative will be waiting through the silver doors and will take your bags and transfer them to a waiting bus for transport to the heliport.

In an effort to maintain your own sanity, try to adopt a casual “roll with the punches” attitude when traveling in Russia. While your host’s rarely excel at explaining the where, when, how, why and how longs that invariably accompany travel in less developed areas, they will come through and do their best to get you to your destination quickly and safely.
Once you arrive at the Heli-Port, take comfort in the fact that Russian MI8 helicopters are immaculately maintained in terms of mechanical service records etc. At first glance this might be hard to appreciate because their cosmetics are often overlooked. The black streaks emanating from the jet units are not the result of oil leaks but rather due to the fact that they burn kerosene. In all honesty, we feel that these crafts are safer than Alaskan floatplanes, and they are always accompanied by a three person crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, and engineer. Your gear will be piled in the rear 2/3rds of the plane and you will sit on simple bench seats along the walls. Several of the windows actually open and you are free to take photos from them. Once in the helicopter, please be seated and put in your earplugs. Top speed is about 110 MPH and the flight takes 3 to 4 hours with the refueling stop. There is no lavatory on board.

When packing your carry on luggage, we strongly recommend the following: warm clothing, rain coat, water bottle, plenty of snacks (it can be a long trip to camp and there is no meal service on the chopper), and simple toiletries in the event of an unexpected weather related overnight in Petro.

On the return trip, you will arrive back in Anchorage Monday morning at roughly 5:30 AM. If you are heading home it is a good idea to schedule your light no earlier than 8:00 AM as it takes some time to clear customs and immigration. You will be able to get all the way home on Monday.

 
Two – Yurt Float Trip Accommodations:
Anglers will spend the first night in rustic cabins with wood stoves. The subsequent nights will be spent in tent camps. These camps will be equipped with cots, showers, and a mess tent. Anglers will sleep two per tent and be responsible for providing their own sleeping bags.
 
Two – Yurt Float Trip Climate:
While the weather can be mild, always be prepared for cold. Pack as though you will be fishing in Alaska. Rain and snow can occur at almost anytime. Typical day temperatures in June-August range from 45-65 degrees f. and September weather can easily dip beneath freezing.
 
Two – Yurt Float Season:
Late June – early September
 
Two – Yurt Float Fish Species:
Rainbow trout, grayling, pacific salmon
 
Two – Yurt Float Lodge Capacity: 4 anglers
 
Two – Yurt Float Trip 2008 Rates:    
$5850.00 per person  per week (based on double occupancy).
 
Included:
Food, accommodations, guiding, transfers from Petro airport to lodge, and up to one day’s food and accommodation in Petro if needed.

Not Included:
Airfare, gratuities ($300-500 US per week), overnight accommodations in Anchorage, Visa fees (rapprox. $150 which are pre-paid through Visa Service NW), alcohol, fishing license, and mandatory medical evacuation insurance.