Salmon Junkies have managed to get full exclusivity on a long termed lease of more than 30 km of the most attractive and enjoyable salmon fishing on the Kola Peninsula – the famous Varzuga River. One of the most popular and fantastic salmon rivers on Kola, this charming section of the river will give us access to the most prestigious and remote part of Varzuga from the Yzia tributary down to the junction with Pana River.
The program will combine the best from the Varzuga watershed with a two day adventure, where you will float the river from Yzia river down to the Pana River.
Join Salmon Junkies with our new Varzuga program, and believe us, when we say that you can learn more about Atlantic salmon fishing in a single week on the Varzuga than you will in a lifetime of fishing Norwegian or Scottish rivers.
Varzuga is a very popular river with anglers from all over the world. No wonder considering the catch records, amazing scenery and wonderful fly fishing pools. Grand Varzuga as we call the camp is located approx. 12 km upstream the Pana tributary. Here the river is medium sized, 30 to 65 metres wide with numerous fast runs and rocky parts, which provides awesome holding spots. There are also slower and deeper parts, where some of the largest Varzuga fish tend to hold. The biggest salmon of Varzuga are actually ‘designed’ to reach this part of the river. Close to the camp there is plenty of good fly fishing water. Not all of the pools have been ‘discovered’ yet, so you could still manage to have a pool named after you!
Grand Varzuga program travel itinerary:
This is how you will spend your week in Grand Varzuga – Please notice that the program will run from Sunday to Sunday.
Sunday / Day 1: Rallypoint MMK Airport / Departing hall hour 11.00 morning. Approx. hour 12.00 We drive in bus to Lavozero airport (a 2 hours drive). From Lavozero Approx 50 minutes Helicopter lift to Grand Varzuga. Sunday evening fishing 1 – 4 km upstream the camp / the rotation under the directions of the camp manager.
Monday / Day 2: Salmon fishing – Half of the 10 rods group will have the opportunity to be lifted 15 km upstream by helicopter and float from the top beat down to the camp during a wonderful day trip. Second half of the group will fish/float from the camp and down to the Pana tributary.
Day 3 the two teams will swap beats.
Tuesday / Day 3: Salmon fishing – Half of the 10 rods group will have the opportunity to be lifted 15 km upstream by helicopter and float from the top beat down to the camp during a wonderful day trip. Second half of the group will fish/float from the camp and down to the Pana tributary.
Wednesday / Day 4: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Thursday / Day 5: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Friday / Day 6: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Saturday / Day 7: Salmon fishing – Grand Varzuga Approx 14Km up and down stream the Camp
Sunday morning / Day 8: back to Murmansk through Lavozero Airport. Arrive Murmansk early morning Approx. 08.30
Day 1 and 2 half of the 10 rods group will have the opportunity to be lifted 15 km upstream by helicopter and float from the top beat down to the camp during a wonderful day trip. Second half of the group will fish/float from the camp and down to the Pana tributary. Day 3 the two teams will swap beats. You will enjoy amazing scenery during the trip and have wonderful pools to fish throughout the entire length. The rest of the week the group will fish the entire beat upstream and downstream and transport will be by jet boats. When the season starts the river often runs high and cold, and it is best to use a double‐handed rod at this time. In June the temperature usually rises quite quickly giving way to the Russian arctic summer, and this can be surprisingly warm. Anglers will then be changing to floating lines and flies fished near or on the surface, e.g. riffling hitch or dry flies. Single hand rods or Switch rods (light double‐handed rods) is the prime choice for many guests during this period. Clear water and easy wading conditions add to the enjoyment. Grand Varzuga is an outstanding part of the river for all Real Salmon junkies no matter the conditions, and therefore very popular with many guests from all over the world. If you want to go for the bigger Varzuga fish, you should aim for one of our 3 prime weeks. The Grand Varzuga camp accommodates up to 10 guests in five cabins with 10 single rooms. Central shower and washing house, and a cosy centrally placed dinning house with a veranda overlooking the river. There is also a Russian banya (sauna) at the Grand Varzuga camp, where you can enjoy steamy and relaxing warmth after a good days fishing.
Also this program is priced at nearly one third of the price of other programs in Varzuga. Grand Varzuga is a very versatile beat on the Varzuga system fulfilling wishes and dreams of all anglers – the beat is so remote you will feel you have finally come to Salmon heaven!
Organizing the fishing: For Ponoi, Umba and Grand Varzuga, Salmon Junkies camp manager will setup a weekly fishing schedule that suits the conditions and actual numbers of guest in camp and usually there will be a midday‐ rotation after lunch.
This system is tried and trusted and every guest will usually fish all pools more than once. Fishing after dinner is usually free around camp – but it is still under the directions of the camp manager. If necessary there will be made up a schedule for evening fishing. Early morning fishing is restricted to the beats you are going to after breakfast. For an extra tip guides will be available for evening fishing also on the beats further from camp. Make these agreements before dinner directly with you guide.
Fishing and tackle:
The fishing on in Varzuga starts in last part of May when the usual spring flood is running of and the white polar nights normally create a euphoric and exhausting fishing trance among our guests. As May moves into June we see a period that must be considered prime time. If wind and weather also plays along these are weeks where the salmon-ceiling is popped of like corks from our Russian champagne.
Most fishing in Varzuga today is carried out with modern double hand rods between 12 ½ and 14 feet for line 7 -10. As a back up rod, it is recommendable to bring a Switch rod or a single handled rod for line 7 – 8.
Dry fly tactics is very worthwhile and it can be absolutely essential in middle of June. Here we recommend singled handled rods 8½ – 9 ½ feet for line 7 – 9.
Regarding reel. Please remember to bring one or two reliable reels, that won’t let you down when your + 15lbs salmon take off. Reel for double handled rod should contain minimum 200 meters backing – Single handed reel minimum 150 meters backing. (Buy the best available gear to avoid any failure – Cheap gear will always let you down) Regarding lines, it is always wise to bring both floating intermediate and sinking – even in summer – not that you will need more than a floater most of the season – but you never know when you meet a wind, water or weather situation where it would give you an extra edge to make the effort and change line maybe even for just a couple of hours or less! And honestly – a couple of back-up lines in you pocket won’t make you sweat? Leaders: 20 – 24 – 30 lbs braking strength.
Flies to bring for Russia: All rivers have their favorites and Varzuga is no exception. Very many and very different types of flies seem to work.
Traditional hook flies for Varzuga – Red Butt / Silver Doctor / Ally’s Shrimp / The Cascade / Green Highlander / Thunder & Lightning / Willie Gunn / Black Sheep / Hairy Mary / The Undertaker/ Billy Butt/ Black bear Green Butt/ Monroe Killer / G.P.
Recommendation towards sizes would be in direction of: 4 – 8 from end of May too middle of June
Tube flies – Bring tube flies with a wing length around 1 inches – 1 ½ inches – Salmon Junkies suggest a classic “Scandi” design with a long profile in the wing a’la Tempeldog style – Productive colors – Black / Yellow / Orange / Green / Brown. The tube fly Body should be in length 10mm – 20mm – recommended in Brass, Cobber or aluminum.
According to the rules and regulations your flies can be tied on either single or double hook and before you release them to swim the Russian rivers you must pinch down the barbs.
Flies will be abailable for sale in the camp shop
