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Post by tynetraveller on Aug 14, 2006 10:42:24 GMT
I fished the Kharlovka in Russia the week before last and after my week in June when I only managed one fish, we had a better trip this time.
On the first afternoon Espen, a Norwegian, landed a fish of 125cm estimated at 50Lb! Another rod had a 34lber the same day and on Monday a ten-year old boy had a 35lber that weighed 5lb less than he did!
It was a brilliant week and the fishing was great until thursday lunchtime. I landed 23 including two new PBs of 24 and 26lb . 18 of the twenty three were salmon, several of which were carrying long-tailed sea lice. I lost a bucket full of grilse, which would not stay on the hook, I think maybe because we were fishing with hitched flies most of the time and the hold does not seem to be so secure.
It goes to show that even in Russia, the weather and water conditions need to be right to catch fish ( Outside of the Varzuga and Ponoi anyway)
If there are any young anglers here, the last week in July and the first week in August are charged at $100 multiplied by your age if you are under thirty five- Start saving, it is a hell of an experience!
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Post by wilbert on Aug 14, 2006 16:39:00 GMT
I can vouch for the youth program that they run as I have got to fish the Rynda twice through it. I am saving to try and get back next year as the sooner i go back the cheaper it will be for me.
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Post by salar76 on Aug 21, 2006 11:35:11 GMT
Indeed Dave, personally I doubt there is a finer and more pristine wild salmon fishery in the world. The anti-poaching scheme which has been going on for nearly a decade (that's anti-poaching Russian style rather than EA style - serious business with serious consequences hence there is no longer any evidence of poaching throughout the entire catchments) and the care for the fish has ensured that the 4 rivers are all thriving.
whilst 'good coniditions' are a bonus, even in dire conditions with arctic indian summers, low water and bright sunshine, the rivers still produce good numbers; especially the Rynda.
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Post by wilbert on Sept 9, 2006 3:18:00 GMT
Just had the confirmation through me and salar76 are booked in for the first week of the season on Kharlovka. Its going to be hard but any fish caught at this time of year are sure to be a fish of a lifetime, fast cold rivers+ heavy tubes and fast sinking line + very big powerful spring salmon = great potential. We wont be breaking any records in terms of the number of fish caught but it will be great just to out there again. I jumped at the chance once I saw the heavily discounted price for the opening week, plus we are taking a mini trip to Murmansk via Moscow which will be fun on its own.
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Post by tynetraveller on Apr 12, 2007 15:12:30 GMT
Hi Dave, Got my visa through today and it reminded me to send you some flies that have worked for me. I will get them out in the post over the weekend.  They are- Turbo cone Black bear green helmet, A very large fly Turbo cone Willie Gunn TD Double tungsten cone black and green TD ( cones are behind the front hackle) This fly weighs about the same as a house brick I'm afraid Black/green sunray shadow variant 2" copper tube cascade shrimp Black/yellow and silver TD with tungsten cone head. These are big flies- With luck you may not need them. |
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Post by salar76 on Apr 13, 2007 10:04:32 GMT
Cheers for the pic Simon. What kind of size are those flies? Were you using many smaller flies as well?
Cheers
Lawrence
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Post by tynetraveller on Apr 13, 2007 11:36:57 GMT
Hi Lawrence, The Templedogs have wings that are three to four inches long, the cascade is a 2inch brass tube with two and half inches of tail and the sunray is maybe five inches long. Last year with the cold water we used flies in these sizes, although fish were caught on standard 2" brass tubes as well. Once the water temperature hit five degrees it was suggested that it might be worth trying smaller flies, but no-one did. John's 27lber was caught on the last afternoon ( warmest water all week) on two two inch brass tubes threaded together on the leader. It will all depend on the water temp- I picked these flies because I am sure Dave will have lots of flies in the more standard sizes- These are meant as an insurance against cold weather.
Cheers, Simon
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Post by wilbert on Apr 16, 2007 21:41:17 GMT
Cheers for posting a pic of the type and size of flies that are used in the big cold water of the opening weeks. My home pc is buggered so can only view the site at work.
I have been tying some monstrous creations but they just seen way too big and will not be getting a swim on my home water but should do the business on Kharlovka. Will tie up a good selection of the standard patterns in standard sizes which can be used at home too.
Not long till we go, just over 5 weeks. I am like a kid waiting for Christmas only this time I have no idea what I am getting.
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Post by pertempledog on Apr 18, 2007 17:53:00 GMT
Just had the confirmation through me and salar76 are booked in for the first week of the season on Kharlovka. Its going to be hard but any fish caught at this time of year are sure to be a fish of a lifetime, fast cold rivers+ heavy tubes and fast sinking line + very big powerful spring salmon = great potential. We wont be breaking any records in terms of the number of fish caught but it will be great just to out there again. I jumped at the chance once I saw the heavily discounted price for the opening week, plus we are taking a mini trip to Murmansk via Moscow which will be fun on its own. Wilbert I went on that week three years ago. I have to say that discount or no it was a great week. It was bloody cold (north wind most days up there and the only thing north is the Pole), hard work throwing a huge tube into high water, but oh, the fishing.... utterly thrilling. I might add that I waited 25 years to land a fish of over 20 lbs - I got 2 (26lbs & 22lbs) in half an hour! But as good as Kharlovka is (and the falls beat will take some beating - so to speak) I will repeat the advice given to me before I went which was to make sure you take every opportunity to go to the Litza - possibly my favourite river. But...errrr...... my other advice is try not to spend too much time in Murmansk - and beware.... if you go to the hotel nightclub you are on cctv for anyone who cares to tune in up in their bedroom! You have been warned!  |
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Post by wilbert on Apr 19, 2007 20:48:13 GMT
pertempledog I think that we will each get to fish the Litza for 2 days from what I have been told. Looking forward to fishing both rivers lust hope we get reasonable conditions out there, well as reasonable as they can be at that time of year.
We are going to Moscow on the Thursday, Murmansk on Friday and then Moscow on the Sat after the weeks fishing. I will be having a few beers / having a look around but understand that I need to keep my wits about me as you do in all cities only maybe with a little more care this time. Still it will be an adventure lets just hope I dont get fleeced or worse.
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Post by pertempledog on Apr 20, 2007 16:56:04 GMT
Wilbert while I may be wrong and indeed generally there is some flexibility, you will possibly be offered three days in the form of a single day in and out and a two day trip staying overnight in the "Litza Hilton". My own recommendation is to go for this as this will allow you to fish all three beats and they are all varied and exciting. On the two day trip you tend to be dropped at the top of the middle beat in the morning, and collected somewhere near the sea the following evening, and meantime you hike downstream fishing the pools as you go. The Litza Hilton is a magical experience of wilderness camping beside simply great salmon pools where it's an effort to tear yourself away from them in time for a few Wodka toasts and some sleep. You may be gathering that I am a Litza enthusiast!
As for Murmansk........ you will doubtless remember it from your Rynda trip although if that was a few years ago I can let you know that the Polyarny is much more pleasant (if that's where you are staying), and that the car park is filled with shiny new black Mercedes!
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Post by wilbert on Apr 20, 2007 19:25:17 GMT
The last 2 times I have been to Rynda I have not actually been into Murmansk itself and only got to sample the delightful airport for about 2 hrs on the inboard and outboard journey.
I hope we do get the option to camp over at the Litza tent camp as it will add to the whole experience of the week.
Most of my kit has been checked and double checked and I have got most of the flies tied that I will be taking, the hardest part is counting down the days until we go.
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Post by pertempledog on Apr 21, 2007 17:46:27 GMT
Wilbert Murmansk is like a fat burd.....naked! Horrifying yet fascinating at the same time.
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Post by fatcast on May 8, 2007 12:05:31 GMT
Anyone heard anything as to how the snowpack is shaping up ( or down ) up there......?? Hoping for a nice early season myself.......
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Post by tynetraveller on May 8, 2007 12:51:51 GMT
There was still a lot of snow in April, and the winds have been consistently northerlies, so temps have been mainly sub zero, but it was 9 degrees c at lunchtime today and they give some warmer weather for the next few weeks on and off. I think it is going to be another cold, late spring.. It should make for a good year overall though.
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Post by tynetraveller on May 17, 2007 19:30:23 GMT
The Varzuga had to cancel its first week of the season (this week) due to the very late ice melt.. We really need some warm weather..
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Post by salar76 on May 20, 2007 9:45:50 GMT
The ice broke last week and the opening week is on!
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Post by wilbert on Jun 4, 2007 15:28:40 GMT
Got back yesterday from the opening week. We all had a great time and even managed to catch some fish too which was good going considering the water levels and temperatures and the vast quantities of alcohol that were consumed every night. Some very very big fish were hooked but most were lost but one of these beasts was landed and weighed in at 38lbs. Will post a full report with pics when i get more time.
pertempledog Murmansk was indeed an interesting place, bit of a dump (well proper sh1t hole actually) but the hotel was first class and the night life was fantastic well the bits that I can remember. Moscow on the other hand was quite expensive and the taxi ride was the scariest thing I have ever been in, 7 lanes of traffic on a 4 lane motorway in rush hour, speed limits and the highway code dont apply here.
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Post by salar76 on Jun 4, 2007 19:05:25 GMT
Just back from Kharlovka. We had an awesome week and all left with tales of unstoppable fish and wild nights. The conditions were tough with record high fishing water with a temp ranging from 0.8 to 3. Justin's report sums it up beautifully, so check out the website (YES - the reports are back!).
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Post by wilbert on Jun 8, 2007 9:01:42 GMT
I have done a full report of my weeks fishing at Kharlovka and Litza and have put it in the photo section, hope you enjoy the read.
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