Highlights
LAX-A IS OFFERING RUSSIA'S RENOWNED VARZINA RIVER TWO PRIME WEEKS IN JUNE 2010
LAX-A IS OFFERING RUSSIA'S RENOWNED VARZINA RIVER TWO PRIME WEEKS IN JUNE 2010
The Northeast coast of Russia's Kola Peninsula is a very unique location. The cold waters of the Arctic Sea meet the rocky coastal highlands to offer one of the finest treasures of the famed Kola Peninsula, the last refuge of the large Atlantic Salmon. The river water is as clear as the wind of the tundra and the Salmon are big and plentiful. In the midst of this rugged beauty sits the finest Salmon fishing camp in all of Russia, the Varzina River Lodge. The Varzina Lodge is situated at the mouth of Varzina River at the confluence of the Penka River. The Lodge is situated between the Yokanga to the East and the Kharlovka/Rynda to the West. It is some 250 km Southeast from Murmansk and about 75 minutes by helicopter.
The Varzina Lodge commands a panoramic view over the ruggedly beautiful Northeastern Coast of the Kola Peninsula and offers worthy headquarters for fishing on some of the best Atlantic Salmon rivers in the world. The powerful Varzina is the main river of this fishery. It starts high in the upland tundra from big Lake Enozero which feeds cool oxygen-rich water down the Varzina all season long. Atlantic Salmon run all twelve miles of the Varzina proper, but the most heavily fished pools are on the lowest five miles. Clearly defined pools include classic glides, runs, riffles and deep holes that hold very large fish every season. Many 30+ pounders are hooked, some are even landed. This is the true spirit of Atlantic Salmon fishing. While most of the fishing is reached by a helicopter, some of the very best pools are within a comfortable walking distance from the lodge. Many an evening outing after dinner has produced a trophy Salmon within sight of the Varzina lounge. The Varzina has only one major tributary, the Penka River. As the Penka is a smaller river, it warms up during the early season and many of the first spring Salmon, often weighing over 20 pounds, move quickly up this river and can be found in all areas by early July. Varzina guides generally agree that Penka Salmon are the fiercest fighters they have ever encountered.
A 10 minutes helicopter ride East from the Lodge brings one to an entirely different river called the Drosdovka. It settles in a lush green valley and is the most gentle of the Varzina area rivers. Rapid runs and quiet pools alternate to produce a nicely balanced fishery. Atlantic Salmon up to 30 pounds and prolific Brown Trout will entice everyone, from seasoned expert to first time novice.
The shining Sidorovka River is another gem amongst the Kola rivers. Barren, open tundra makes a striking contrast to the cool, clear water in the pools of the Sidorovka. This small river is an absolutely joy to fish. There is no wading required and long casts are rarely needed. In addition to the ever-willing Grilse, there is a considerable percentage of large Salmon in the 20 pound range. These are true "heart stoppers" when hooked on a single handed rod. The Sidorovka Sea Pool is a luxurious place to fish hard-fighting Sea Run Brown Trout. Schools of these silvery fish move in with every tide and again back to the blue-green water of the Arctic Sea when the tide turns.
The Salmon run in the Varzina starts in early June while the peak of large Salmon occurs during the last two weeks of June and the beginning of July, depending on the weather. Average size for Salmon is about 6.5 kg or 14 lbs. Several fish between 20-30 lbs have been caught during really good weeks and the largest fish have topped 20 kg. The best weekly catch for one rod has been close to 50 salmon. In addition, there is a very good chance to hook some of the legendary tundra Brown Trout averaging 2-3 kg. with several fish between 3-5 kg.
Lax-a has two prime weeks to offer but both are nearly sold out. We have only 2 rods available during the weeks 12 - 19th June and 19 - 26th June on the Varzina river.
Contact Fred Clough at fred@lax-a.isor give me a call in the USA at 207-423-4306.
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