Fishing on the Northern Rivers of the Kola Peninsula
Price available
on request
Fishing on the Northern Rivers of the Kola Peninsula
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Included
- Hotel Overview
The Northern Rivers of Russian’s Kola Peninsula including the Kharlovka, Eastern Litza, Rynda and Zolotaya must be considered some of the very best Atlantic salmon Rivers in the world today. The territory is extremely remote and unspoiled by human intervention. The whole operation is efficiently managed with military discipline. Both intimate and manageable in size, the Northern Rivers provide unique challenges to our guests with the possibility for huge rewards.
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Day 0 - Friday, Helsinki
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at Helsinki Airport on or before the Friday of each week and for their home departure on Saturday
Day 1 - Saturday, Helsinki to Murmansk
Arrival to Murmansk. Helicopter transfer to lodge (approx 1 hour)
On arrival, on Saturday afternoon, the camp manager will make a brief orientation and safety speech to advise you about the weekly routine. After a hearty breakfast, each team is deployed by helicopter to the beat designed as per the fishing schedule. Depending on weather conditions Kharlovka guests will have the opportunity to fish during the week on the Litza River. The same for the Rynda guests, who conditions depending should each have a day on the Zolotaya river.
Evening fishing session
Day 2-7 - Fishing
Fishing hours run from early morning to late evening in coordination with the camp manager. Rod Sharing may be allowed in special situations. We operate a team system of one guide and two anglers. Our local Russian guides are 'tundra-smart' with intimate knowledge of the area and with all skills needed to ensure safe and enjoyable days out. Their English is good. The Guides are long standing experts on the rivers with the majority of them having more than 10 years of experience, we are proud to have these dedicated and hardworking men on board.
They know where the fish lie and the flies and techniques to catch them in all water conditions. They are fully equipped to support your days fishing. A hot and rich lunch is prepared on the riverbank.
In the late afternoon the rods are flown back to camp for drinks, dinner and stories. If they wish guests may continue to fish after dinner in the Home Pools, or indeed further afield if accompanied by their guide. There also is high standard trout and char fishing in the vicinity and guests will be facilitated if they wish to enjoy this experience.
Full-board, all alcohol is included
Day 8 - Departure to Murmansk
Returning from the camps to Helsinki by helicopter transfer (approx 1 hour)
Estimated arrival time to Helsinki is 14:00 followed by International connections back home
Other Important Information
The Rivers
Kharlovka with its sister river Eastern Litza, are two of the world's most prolific rivers for big Atlantic salmon. The combination of awesome big fish and the manageable size of the rivers is a great asset when compared to other Kola destinations. Both wild and demanding they provide the biggest challenges along with some of the biggest silver rewards anywhere.
The Rynda and Zolotaya Rivers fall through more gentle gradients than the Kharlovka and Litza Rivers. There are some 75 interesting named salmon pools that require the angler to read the water and consider each cast. The successful angler approaches the fishing carefully in intellectual contemplation and, however experienced, listens to the guide. Some say the rivers are reminiscent of Iceland. They, and the accommodation, are attractive to lady fishers as we are to them!
Although Kharlovka & Litza have twice the annual water flow of Rynda & Zolotaya - it is a stunning fact that every year Rynda produces nearly as many landed salmon. The difference is that the size of the MSW Atlantic Salmon is likely to be 20% less. A 25lbs fish from the Rynda is more likely to be a 30lbs fish at Kharlovka and so forth. The best fish taken at Rynda was 42lbs whereas at the Litza it was 47.5lbs.
Communications at Lodges
For the most part our operations are within a "Restricted Military Zone". Under new rules it is forbidden for guests to bring satellite phones to the camps. Our comprehensive "certified" e-mail and telephone systems will be made available to guests for outgoing communications for which they will be charged. Thankfully there is no mobile phone service in the area yet.
Both fixed and tented camps are equipped with HF radio linked to all other camps and to the head office in Murmansk. Most of the time guides can communicate by VHF radio to the camps and with each other. Generally guests are fishing within walking distance to the camps for the guides. When we venture beyond walking distance, to Kharlovka Park for example, we plan to use hand held satellite telephones. The in-camp hosts have satellite telephone/fax that can be used by the guests in emergency.
Strictly Catch and Release
NR have substantially invested in a major conservation program, called "Back to Nature", for the protection of the Atlantic salmon in particular and the "tundra" flora and fauna in general - In accordance with the Mandate of the Atlantic Salmon Reserve established June 2007.
All Fishing shall be by "Catch & Release" only.
Please remember the following guidelines: Never pick up a fish by its tail. Never drag a fish up onto the bank. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible while unhooking and photographing it. Never handle a fish with dry hands. Use barbless hooks, pinching down barbs is sufficient and do not use treble hooks.
Transportation along the rivers
Helicopters
For transportation along the rivers we use new Eurocopters and also Russian MI-8 for group transportations from airport and back. These are reliable and well-serviced helicopters with experienced and highly professional crews. The MI-8’s are used throughout Russia and in many countries worldwide and have an enviable reputation as a workhorse helicopter that is reliable in all situations. We do provide hearing protection for your daily flights.
Boats
Rubber dinghies are available in the majority of the pools for the guides to transport guests across the river. All fishing is done by wading and never from the boats.
Safety
We always recommend the use of life jackets especially when using boats for river crossing and these are readily available to guests. It must be clearly understood that salmon fishing in fast flowing rivers is a dangerous sport. This is especially so in isolated tundra conditions and made all the more so by the use of helicopters. We use all reasonable efforts to properly maintain our equipment and train our staff in matters of safety however all visitors must understand that safety standards in the wilderness may not always meet those they are used to.
Please let us know in advance of any serious health problems you may have. If you have any special dietary requirements due to ill health, such as if you are diabetic or require a low fat diet, please advise us as soon as possible.
Medical
We have a fully qualified doctor in residence throughout the season. In addition certain of our staff have basic medical training. In the event of more serious needs we would generally expect to reach a hospital in Murmansk by helicopter within two/four hours. If necessary hospitals in northern Norway or Finland can be reached via air ambulance.
- From the moment you arrive to Murmansk and until your departure from Murmansk everything is included.
- Private wooden lodge accommodation done to the highest standard
- Full-board catering prepared by chefs
- All alcohol
- All transfers
Flights and Visa services are not included in the tour, though you can choose and book your flight using our smart and easy tool at: https://www.visitrussia.org.uk/flights/
The Kharlovka and Rynda Lodges
The Kharlovka camp has undergone a near complete facelift over the last 5 seasons. All guests are now accommodated in private wooden cabins with full en-suite facilities including warm heaters, drying closet, and 220V European two pin plug power points. The cabins are interconnected with the main lodge by an intricate network of walkways to preserve the fragile tundra below. Depending on the conditions, guests to the Kharlovka camp spend up to half their week fishing on the Litza River with some having the chance to spend the night there in the upgraded Tent camp. A maximum of 7 beats or 14 guests a week will fish the Kharlovka and Litza rivers.
Over the last several years, the Rynda Camp has been improved to the highest standards. The dinning room has been enlarged and we have built a new sauna. Peter has created an enduring tradition of organizing house parties to fish the Rynda who will continue to experience something extra special. Nowhere else will you see the meticulous attention to detail, evident throughout the whole ASR, displayed so prominently and hence the overwhelming popularity of the Rynda for those wishing to take ladies and or children. All 12 guests are accommodated in the most sophisticated and fully fitted private log cabins on the Kola Peninsula, with views looking onto the Rynda Falls and Home Pool.
Lodges: The food is of the highest standard and the streamside lunches including the hot Russian soups are a welcome daily treat. All wines and alcoholic drink are inclusive, as is the laundry service in which everything miraculously returns pressed and folded back on your made bed the next day. If requested, and many days if even not, there will be a roasting hot sauna prepared for your arrival back to the lodge where rods can relax after a hard day of fishing. There are also nicely stocked fly tying facilities at both of the camps in addition to a complete selection of fishing gear should you need to borrow anything.
