Salmon Junkies

Follow the Spey Warriors in Junky World 2011, in Umba there is always a chance of catching a salmon over 20lbs. every day – Every week – From May until October.

In the six-week period from mid August until first of October 2011 we caught 71 Salmon between 15 Lbs and 19 Lbs and 45 Salmon between 20 Lbs and 30 Lbs – Every week during the entire season we were able to celebrate new members in our Twenty Pounds Club, and we even managed to recruit several “Double Members” and “Triple Members” to our exclusive club.

Watch Lawrie Hickman from Guideline UK entering his double membership of the 20 lbs. Club. First a giant fish from Lower Rat; 26 pounds. Thereafter a Umba Whopper weighing 24 pounds from the same pool. Lawrie Hickman is an experienced angler and has spent many years running lodges in Russia and we really enjoyed his company in Umba.

Lawrie introduced Guidelines “new” Triple-D Densities lines to us and this is a very interesting concept. Guideline have combined 3 line densities, all in one line, very clever. Weight distribution has been moved backwards creating a smooth, controlled turnover and very easy to cast. Lawrie fished with Float/Hover/Intermediate which positions the fly just below the surface fished with mono/fluorocarbon leader.

The floating back portion of the line will help controlling fly speed as well as making mending and lift-off a lot easier. A line/combination that certainly finds fish in Umba, especially the BIG ones!

When we arrived at the Umba River at the end of May it felt more like the end of July. Thanks God Umba’s backcountry is vast, so we survived with pride and good fishing. Our first two weeks in June produced a good number of fish and a very high number of Umba Whoppers (large fish). Very encouraging indeed. This “movie” was shot while preparing for the 2011 season in Krivetz in between cleaning the tracks and just before the first guest arrived. A 2.5 day of hard work and fun in between. Hungry for some Umba Whoppers?, please contact us!

It’s a passion for life…for sure…we are what we call Salmon Junkies..is there a cure?…not sure…this video will take away most of your withdrawal symptoms – or will they become worse? Another great masterpiece from Danish photographer Columbus Leth, it’s raw, black and white, great soundtrack, it’s Umba unplugged. Watch out you could get hooked. Shot on Canon 5D and GoPro Hero in Umba, September 2010. Thanks for sharing Columbus.

Kåre Lundquist

Watch Danish photographer Columbus Leth’s fantastic video from Umba, from September last year (2010), his first time in Umba and a remarkable trip it was. Both movies were shot on Canon 5D and GoPro Hero. It’s just like being there in autumn from the hazy Umba mornings to the lovely fights with salmon during the day. I was ready to jump in the boat and head for Brad’s Pool and Doctor´s Pool, where most of the video was shot. Great work Columbus, we will be seeing you again in Autumn, perhaps your next title will be “Hunt For Red October”? Please bring your camera, you are the man.

Kåre Lundquist

Produced by Jens Rafn.

This “movie” was shot in one of the very last days of the season in October where Steffen and Kåre went to Krivetz and fished Stick, Nick and Long Pool(mainly), what a day, 4.5 hours fishing 7 Umba Whoppers. We hope that both old kola veterans and new guests will consider visiting this pearl of a salmon river next season – a must in every Kola angler’s portfolio.

Umba answers everything a salmon angler can ask for and really raises quantity and quality to a higher level.

Many experienced salmon fishermen, who have fished on the Kola peninsula and its plethora of fantastic rivers, claim that Umba beats everything in terms of beauty, superb accommodation and – of course and not least – the dramatic and enjoyable fishing in the most breathtaking surroundings. To swing a fly through Umba’s gin clear waters is almost a surreal experience ranking amongst the most exciting moments in Russian Salmon Fishing.

Produced by Jens Rafn.

Follow us on this gem of a salmon river which have fascinated thousands of salmon anglers during the last Twenty years. One of reason is the very good chance for a big salmon in the 20lbs to 30 lbs breakage or more!

2010 many anglers dreams came true this season. The numbers of big salmon we saw recorded in the record book after every week indicated clearly that we are on the right track regarding the control of the river together with our conservation plan. Every week during the entire season we could celebrate new members in our Twenty lbs club, and several managed to be “Double member” in this exclusive club.

Produced by Jens Rafn.

Produced by Jens Rafn.
Umba footage – September 2009

Produced by Jens Rafn.

Steffen has spent almost half of all his years in Russia along this magnificent river – and judging from other Salmon anglers around the world Umba represent everything a salmon angler dreams about. Few Salmon Rivers on the Kola Peninsula, or in the world for that matter, have had such a spellbinding and deeply felt effect on Salmon anglers from all over the world. For many of them it has almost become a lifelong love affair and you may witness hardened and weather-beaten anglers become all “mushy”, when they reflect and talk about Umba. Such is the character of this river and there are really very few places left in this world like it.