Sunny and very warm weather
Usually the second part of September means cold and rainy weather but that has not been the case this season. Last week we were suffering from extremely sunny and warm weather with temperatures up to 25 C the first four days but in spite of these conditions we managed to land a number of exceptional and fantastic Umba whoppers.
On our bonus day (the extra day our guests get for free) – anything can happen and that was also the case last Saturday. Umba veteran Eskild Dan Nielsen manage to land a superb 22 lb buck in Office pool just after he lost another super salmon estimated to 25 – 28 lb, also in Office pool. Columbus Leth managed to land a cracking 18 lb chrome in Upper Rat pool during our bonus day as well as getting beaten by another big salmon. Already the next day Columbus was into some hot action again with a 22 lb super chromer from Doctor´s pool. During the first part of the week there was no sign of any changes in the weather until Wednesday when clouds where spotted and more favourable weather was inbound.
During the last part of the week we were blessed with good fishing caused by cloudier and colder weather that gave fresh fish to all in the group. On our last day rain and colder weather clearly pushed some whoppers into the river. Again it was Eskild and Columbus that was blessed with a 22 lb and 24,5 lb. Columbus Leth´s 24,5 lb salmon was caught on a 12′ # 6 Switch rod and a small Thunder and Lightning variant tied on a size 6 double-hook. On the last day Ole Thomsen was into some hot action in Upper Rat pool, shortly after he had landed a nice smaller fresh salmon, he was stripped for 150 meters of backing line in some few hectic seconds – wondering if Ole ever will forget that fish!
Largest fish this week
19 salmon between 10 lb – 14 lb
7 salmon between 15 lb – 19 lb
4 salmon between 20 lb – 25 lb
Best flies: The Podolsky, Red Butt, The Cascade, Thunder and Lightning and Sunray Shadow – fished on floating lines and light sinking poly tips
The last five weeks on the Kola Peninsula has been very dry but luckily for us a good water level on Umba is secured by the big lakes in the upper part of the back country.