Russian Atlantic salmon
Here you will find essential information and terms on your coming salmon trip to Russia – if you still have questions please don’t hesitate to contact Salmon Junkies
Umba River – The golden mix
Low-priced and great Salmon fishing in the most gorgeous surroundings.
This answers everything a Salmon angler can ask for and really lift quantity and quality into a higher level. Our Umba-autumn program will speak for itself and display the best Umba can offer.
Umba fishing is a golden mix between size and numbers. This is the place where you have a fair chance of catching 20 salmon and at the same time run into a 20+ or even bigger
From May to the end of October – Umba will fulfill your wildest salmon dreams. Superb natural surroundings, an exquisite lodge and wild, fresh salmon in one of the longest seasons in the salmon fishing world.
Here in Umba you will have direct access to the wonderful sport of salmon fishing – you will know what it feels like to lose salmon and catch more…
Our Umba beats are divided in to very different sections around the lodge you have at beautiful mellow streaming river with classic tails and gliding pools. 15 minutes boat ride and 20 minutes walking upstream you will find the wild Krivetz stretch with fast water and classic pools – one of the finest salmon “frames” on the Kola Peninsula.
Daily schedule in Umba River
The daily fishing starts after Breakfast approx 09.00 and continue until Lunch where approx half oof the group will return to the main Lodge for Lunch – the other half will have a bank side lunch together with the guide at one of the fireplaces we have along the spectacular Krivetz stretch. The daily fishing stops around 19.00 and dinner will be served at 20.00 in the lodge. After that the program is off schedule and usually- social relaxation in front the Lodge’s big fireplaces where the air soon will be filled with good stories.
Umba fishing is a golden mix between size and numbers. This is the place where you have a good chance of catching 20 salmon and at the same time run into a 20+ or even a thirteen pounder.
Organizing the fishing.
For Ponoi and Umba 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 mid-day-rotation after lunch. This system is tried and trusted and every guest will usually fish all pools more than once.
The manager schedule is worked out with the main purpose to give all an even share, but this does not mean that it cannot be altered.
The only criterion that must be fulfilled in that context is that all affected guests agree and that this agreement is found between the guests and the presented to the camp manager.
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 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 15 feet for line 8 -10 – Regarding reel. Please remember to bring some reliable reels that won’t let you down when your + 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) Lines: Early season sinking line Floating – Intermediate and sink tips. Important: Bring some fast sinking lines if you are fishing May / June – Leaders: 12 – 14 – 16 – 18 – 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 doubled handled rods
Flies to bring for Russia
All rivers have their favorites and the Russian is no exception. That said though it must be added that – probably due to the decent neutral color in most of the rivers – very many and very different types of flies seem to work.
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
Blue. Hairy Mary / Blue Charm
The Undertaker
Recommendation towards sizes would be in direction of: 2 – 4 – Middle of June, moving to 6 – 8 in late June early July and further down to 10 and smaller in summer with the addition of bigger dryflies etc. Bombers, muddlers and skaters size 4 – 6 are highly recommendable in summer
Tube flies with a wing length around 1 inches – 1 ½ inches – Get them in the classic “Scandi” design with a long profile in the wing a’la Tempeldog style – Good colors – Black / Yellow / Orange / Green / Brown
The tube fly Body should be in length 10mm – 20mm – recommended in Brass, Cobber or aluminum.
For more information regarding flies please check our Flies menu.
Clothes and accessories.
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 both something that will keep you warm and dry in rainy and windy day and on the other hand something that is more comfortable, when the sun is dancing for 20 odd hours a day.
The following list may inspire:
Clothes:
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 (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. Cash in USD for bar, gratuities etc.
Catch and release advice
All our programmes operates a strict catch and release policy. All fish must be reported and registered daily in the camp’s catch statistic book. All fishing is strictly Fly only, with use of single or double barb less hook. We request extremely care in handling all fish.
- Please do not beach the fish on dry land/rocks. Use a knotless landing net.
- When fishing from a boat try to land big fish from the bank.
- For photographs please ensure the fish is supported underneath. Wet your hands (never hold it up by the tail or the mouth) and return it to the water as soon as possible.
- When returning the fish support it in the water (mouth pointing upstream) unto it has fully recuperated before allowing it to swim away.
Terms and Conditions
INCLUDED IN COST: Round-trip air transportation from Murmansk to the Ponoi or Umba camp; Seven nights and six full fishing days at the Ponoi or Umba; all meals and accommodations at the river; fishing permits; one guide, boat and motor for each two anglers.
NOT INCLUDED: Round-trip airfare from your home to Murmansk; meals and accommodations in Helsinki or other en route cities; visa processing. Alcoholic beverages and other items of a personal nature; gratuities to guides and camp staff.
DEPOSIT/BALANCE/CANCELLATION/REFUND:
In order to confirm your reservation a 50% deposit is required not later than 14 days after invoicing. For our Ponoi and Umba Summer programs the final payment should be paid no later February 14th 2010. Final payment for our autumn program in Umba no later than July 14th 2010. Deposit and final payment are non-refundable in case you have a business conflict or change your mind.
Unusual weather and river conditions – such as extreme snow- and ice conditions – may also lead to trip cancellation. In such case – Salmon Junkies will, in the following order:
Offer Customer an alternative trip at a later date same season but maybe on a different programme.
If this is not possible for Salmon Junkies – Salmon Junkies will offer a 50% refund on the price paid on the cancelled trip.
Alterations – Travel schedules in Russia can change due to adverse weather, strikes or other factors beyond our control. This can cause loss of airlines tickets, for which Salmon Junkies cannot be held liable.
Salmon Junkies management has the right to implement alterations in the programme and fishing schedule to adapt to the prevailing conditions and seek optimum exploitation of the fishing and facilities for the group.
There can be public fishing access to some of Salmon Junkies stretches / beats.
Salmon Junkies keeps the right to host group leaders, journalists, film crews in all programs.
Salmon Junkies has the right to cancel on the basis of force majeure i.e. natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods) – wars, riots or other major upheaval – performance failures of parties outside the control of Salmon Junkies.
Customer is responsible for signing own Trip cancellation insurance and travel insurance.
TRAVEL IN RUSSIA: Visiting the Ponoi or Umba requires flying in Russian helicopters / or driving in Bus, and boats in wilderness country.
Passengers must understand and accept the risks associated with such means of conveyance. Travel schedules in Russia can change due to adverse weather, strikes, or other factors beyond our control. This can cause delays and even missed international connections. Such delays could impose additional cost to you in hotels or in changing low-cost airline tickets (which often have tight restrictions) for which we cannot be responsible.