Tackle – What Salmon Junkies advise you to bring
The fishing on Kola starts in late 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 today is carried out with modern double hand rods between 12 ½ and 14 feet for line 8 -10. As a back up rod, it is recommendable to bring a Switch rod or a single handled rod for line 7 – 8.
Regarding reel. Please remember to bring one or two reliable reels, that won’t let you down when your + 20 – 30lbs 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.
As June moves into July the summer will manifest itself with high-pressure weather and sunshine sometimes 24 hours pr. Day. Needles to say that these conditions will can affect the fishing, but you may be astonished to hear that it sometimes can improve catches. Dry fly tactics is very worthwhile and it can be absolutely essential in July.
Here we recommend singled handled rods 8 – 9 ½ feet for line 7 – 9. By middle of August we are back again into the more rock-solid Spey rods.
Flies to bring for Russia
All rivers have their favorites and Umba, Ponoi and Varzuga is no exception. 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.
Hereby some of the hot patterns you should bring to Russia.
Traditional hook flies – Red But / Silver Doctor /Black Francis / Ally’s Shrimp / The Cascade / Green Highlander / Thunder & Lightning / Willie Gunn / Black Sheep / Hairy Mary / Blue Charm / The Undertaker/Billy But / Black bear Green But / Monroe Killer. Flies will be available for sale in the camp shops.
Recommendation towards sizes would be in direction of: 2 – 4 from end of May too middle of June – 6 – 8 in late June early July and further down to 10 and smaller in summer. In September we are back again in size 4 – 8. In middle of June towards end of July remember some dry-flies etc. Bombers, muddlers and skaters size 4 – 6.
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.
Clothes and accessories – The following list may inspire
The weather is very unpredictable on the Kola peninsula, and it can change dramatically within very short time so it will be very sensible to bring something that will keep you warm and dry on a rainy and windy day. On the other hand something that is more comfortable, when the sun is dancing for 20 odd hours a day.
Clothes:
Waders, Wading boots with studs. Fleece trousers and jacket – Warm socks – Fleece gloves – Hat and scarf – Waterproof fishing jacket – Waders (breathable) – Fishing shirts and vest
Accessories:
Measure tape – Leader material – Clippers. – Repair kit for Waders – Some sinking tip for extreme situations – Pliers – Wading stick – Pocket torch with fresh batteries – Camera and video (You can recharge in the camp / 22oV) – Bag or backpack for daily equipment – Mosquito repellent – Sun glasses.
It is also advisable to bring: Ear plugs for helicopter flights, snoring partners and screaming fly reels. A couple of plastic bags for wet clothes and booths when leaving. Personal medicine and painkillers.
