The Kola River 

Russia

On many of the world’s top Atlantic salmon rivers, bragging rights begin at 20 pounds, but on the Kola River 20 pounders are simply good fish with the braggarts bar set firmly at 30 pounds and above. Located high in the Russian arctic, on the outskirts of Murmansk, the Kola River has in a few remarkable seasons clearly established itself as one of the world’s greatest trophy salmon systems.

Relatively easy to reach by Russian standards, the new lodge on the Kola River is one of the region’s only rivers where helicopters are not involved in reaching the camp or the daily beats. This proves to be a bonus in unsettled weather and at the same time keeps the price within reason for the traveling angler.

Guests enjoy their own private cabins (often referred to as huts) with baths as well as full access to the main lodge and sauna facilities. Each day two anglers set out to raft their appointed beat with their personal Russian guide and raft. Catch rates over the last two seasons have been impressive with anglers averaging about three salmon per person per day. In 2007 there were 30 fish landed between 32 and 36 pounds and five that tipped the scales at over 40 pounds! Fly Water’s trip in 2008 was a great success with group members averaging 30 fish landed per person. In ten weeks of Atlantic salmon fly fishing in 2008, this camp landed over 2600 fish!

Don’t miss out on this ground floor opportunity to experience an Atlantic salmon river that is well on its way to becoming a coveted classic.

Location:
The Kola River Lodge is located 45 minutes from Murmansk on Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

Fishing Program:
The guides at the Kola camp vary widely but most have a very good understanding of the Kola river and solid boat handling skills. English skills vary widely but they typically have a fair number of words and they know, for the most part, when to use them. The guides tend to have a keen interest in your flies and fly selection but they are often less engaged in coaching on technique.

Each angler has his own guide and raft each day. There are eight primary beats on the Kola river and 16 anglers in camp. Each beat is fly fished by two boats/anglers per day. At times both boats may be fly fishing the same tailout at the same time but from opposite sides of the river. You will always share your daily beat with the same anglers and together you will cycle through all of the beats. The starting order of the beats is determined the first day via a random drawing.

Much of the early season fly fishing is done from the boat with wading opportunities increasing as flows drop. Still, certain spots are fished best from the raft regardless of river height. Typically a lengthening of the anchor line is used to move down the pool, then the anchor is pulled and the guide will make another drop. The rafts have no frames or proper seats and there are no life jackets. Make sure that all day gear is stored in a fully waterproof bag.

Anglers depart the camp at 9:00AM, take lunch at about 2:00PM and return to the camp between 6:00 and 7:00PM. Dinner is served at 8:00PM.

Fisheries:
Located well within the Arctic Circle near the northeastern borders of Finland and Norway, the Kola River is the northernmost of the Kola Peninsula’s significant systems. It is a rugged handsome river with numerous deep, dazzling, boulder-strewn tailouts, an impressive 20,000-40,000 returning fish, and some of the largest (40 plus pounds) Atlantic salmon in Russia. The river flows due north entering the Barents Sea smack dab in the middle of the peninsula’s largest city, Murmansk. As you might imagine, this is a mixed blessing: no helicopters needed for access and in the same breath, little escaping the locals and the often bitter realities of their lives.

The Kola is a semi-urban angling experience where guests will see a good deal of what real life in Russia is all about. There is an active railroad, there are roads, power lines, some shabby villages, poachers cloaked in camouflage and there are also some very pristine sections of river where it is hard to imagine any of the aforementioned.

The river is rugged with tough wading and lots of impressive rapids. Due to the language barrier and style/quality of the guides, it is a river that is best suited to experienced anglers that are confident in their personal skills.

Accommodations and Meals:
Anglers at the Kola camp enjoy single occupancy cabins with mud rooms, ample storage, private bathroom and shower, heat and electrical outlets. Towels and linens are included. While very comfortable, it should be noted that it never gets very dark during the fishing season and that eye covers/blinders and sleeping aids are strongly recommended. The eleven hour time difference from the West Coast of the US makes these recommendations all the more important.

At 7:30AM coffee is brought to your room. Breakfast, consisting of bacon and eggs or porridge, is served at 8:00AM and anglers depart for fishing at 9:00AM. Lunches, consisting of soups and sandwiches, are served streamside at about 2:00PM. If you are a snack person, bring your own. Appetizers are served in the main lodge at 7:00PM and dinner is served at 8:00PM. Meals at the lodge are acceptable but nothing to write home about.

The main lodge has a great porch overlooking the home pool. Guest gather here often in the evenings to enjoy a drink and watch other guests fish.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart home
Day 2: Arrive Helsinki, overnight.
Day 3: Arrive Murmansk, transfer to lodge.
Days 4 – 9: Six full days guided fishing.
Day 10: Depart lodge for midday flight to Helsinki, overnight.
Day 11: Depart Helsinki for home.

Complete Trip Details