This pre-trip document is designed to provide you with the information that you need to plan your trip for the maximum enjoyment. Please read it carefully as it includes strong recommendations from us to ensure your success. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Three months prior to your trip we will begin Visa Processing which will require you to send your passport to us. Processing takes between 10 and 15 days so, should you have an issue with timings, please contact us. Your final documents will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure. It is very important that you photocopy all essential documentation, including your passport and Russian Visa and keep them separate from the originals when you travel. This will help prevent serious complications in case of loss. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is imperative that you have adequate insurance cover for your trip. Occasionally we suffer delays in Russia due to unforeseen circumstances and flight connections can occasionally be missed, resulting in extra charges. Roxtons cannot be held responsible to clients for any costs incurred, nor for compensation in respect of delays, alterations or cancellations of any flight with an airline or air charter company. OUTWARD TRAVEL You will fly to Helsinki where you will overnight in a hotel on the Friday night before your departure to Murmansk. There is a Hilton hotel right beside Helsinki airport, which is just 3 minutes away via a covered walkway and we can arrange this accommodation for you should you wish. On the Saturday morning you will catch the early charter flight from Helsinki which arrives into Murmansk around 12pm, where you will be transferred by helicopter to your camp. VARZUGA, PANA & KITZA PRE-TRIP INFORMATION 2013 Roxtons Field Sports, 25 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF +44 (0) 1488 683222 | [email protected] | www.roxtons.com
Transcript
This pre-trip document is designed to provide you with the information that you need to plan your trip for the maximum enjoyment. Please read it carefully as it includes strong recommendations from us to ensure your success.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Three months prior to your trip we will begin Visa Processing which will require you to send your passport to us. Processing takes between 10 and 15 days so, should you have an issue with timings, please contact us. Your final documents will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure. It is very important that you photocopy all essential documentation, including your passport and Russian Visa and keep them separate from the originals when you travel. This will help prevent serious complications in case of loss.
TRAVEL INSURANCE It is imperative that you have adequate insurance cover for your trip. Occasionally we suffer delays in Russia due to unforeseen circumstances and flight connections can occasionally be missed, resulting in extra charges.
Roxtons cannot be held responsible to clients for any costs incurred, nor for compensation in respect of delays, alterations or cancellations of any flight with an airline or air charter company.
OUTWARD TRAVEL You will fly to Helsinki where you will overnight in a hotel on the Friday night before your departure to Murmansk.
There is a Hilton hotel right beside Helsinki airport, which is just 3 minutes away via a covered walkway and we can arrange this accommodation for you should you wish.
On the Saturday morning you will catch the early charter flight from Helsinki which arrives into Murmansk around 12pm, where you will be transferred by helicopter to your camp.
VARZUGA, PANA & KITZA PRE-TRIP INFORMATION 2013
Roxtons Field Sports, 25 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF
RETURN TRAVEL You will arrive at Helsinki at around 2pm, so we strongly advise you do not book your onward flight before 4pm. We can help you with these arrangements if you wish.
ARRANGEMENTS We would strongly advise you to allow us to handle your travel itinerary to Russia. We have a great deal of experience handling all travel arrangements and, furthermore, we will be able to co-ordinate both Visa requirements and your arrival and departure transfers.
FLIGHTS TO/FROM HELSINKI Should we arrange your UK to Helsinki flights we would use Finnair and it is important to be aware that their checked baggage allowance included in an Economy ticket is ONE bag with a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lbs) therefore, your rod tube and any additional bags will need to be paid for as excess luggage upon check in.
LUGGAGE New custom rules mean it is extremely complicated to enter Murmansk with more than 32kgs of luggage per person which includes your rod tubes so please keep your luggage weight below this limit. Please remember that squashy bags are easier for us to pack in the helicopters so please use them rather than rigid suitcases wherever possible. Good, solid rod tubes are essential, equipped either with locks or sealed with tape. We strongly recommend that all bags are padlocked. No single item of luggage should weigh more than 24kgs as the baggage handlers will refuse to load it. Please remember that even though the charter to Murmansk is private, you will still have to go through the normal Helsinki security procedures in relation to hand held baggage.
DUTY FREE Vodka, beer, soft drinks, red wine and Russian champagne are available in the camps and there is no additional charge for these items. For those who prefer whisky, gin or any particular Western brand, we suggest that you purchase these at Helsinki airport rather than your departure airport as you have to go through the security process in Helsinki on Saturday morning which means you need to put any liquids in you hold luggage.
ARRIVAL IN MURMANSK Clearing Customs and Immigration in Murmansk is a laborious process and can take some time. Every year and each week the customs forms and procedures change and please bear with us as we endeavour to work out each new procedure as it is presented to us. As you may be in Murmansk airport for some time we will supply you with vouchers to use the loo and for the bar. Your hold luggage will be loaded onto the helicopter but you should retain your hand luggage which should contain your ear defenders for your heli transfer, as you might not have a chance to access your hold luggage until you reach the camps.
HEALTH AND MEDICATION Although there are, at present, no specific inoculations necessary for travel to Russia, it is important to check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations prior to your trip. Whilst we do have basic medical equipment in each camp it is essential that you carry any personal medication that you may require.
CLOTHING With the variable climate it is advisable to have layered clothing which can be added to or shed according to the conditions. Bring warm comfortable fishing clothes for the day and casual clothes for time spent in camp.
ELECTRICITY All the camps have generators supplying 220v to Northern European 2-pin plugs so travel adapters are required for UK electrical goods. Generators normally run from 06.00 to 11.00 and from 16.00 to 23.00. The latitude of the camps means that it is light for 24hrs a day.
MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes and midges are unlikely to be present in May or early June. However, as the weather warms up they can become tiresome if you are not properly prepared.
You are well advised to bring repellent such as Jungle Formula and a mosquito hat or veil is also advisable for the latter period.
TIPS Tips are totally at your discretion. However, people do like to recognise the efforts made by the guide and camp staff. A simple guideline followed by most is to
give €150 to the guide and €120 to be split by your cook and Russian camp staff. If you are visiting two camps during the week this may be divided according to the amount of time spent in each. Other Western goods such as fishing equipment are popular as additional bonuses but if you have had an exceptional week’s fishing a tip higher than that generally recommended is the best way to show your gratitude.
COMMUNICATIONS Each camp is linked by HF radio to the base camp at Lower Varzuga where there is a satellite telephone service. There is also a satellite telephone in each camp for safety reasons and these may be used if necessary,
subject to a €5 charge per minute or part thereof. If you need to be contacted whilst on the Kola Peninsula it can be done via our Hungerford office on + 44(0) 1488 689 701. Mobile phones with roaming facilities work at Lower, with patchy reception at Middle and Kitza, but no coverage at Pana.
THE FISHING
GENERAL The Varzuga River is located on the southern coast of the Kola Peninsula and flows into the White Sea. The length of the river is 254 km with a total catchment area of over 8,000km² and a number of tributaries, including the Pana and Kitza rivers. The gradient is gentle and, in general, the river is easy flowing. However, with the nature of the catchment area, the water is peaty in colour and usually carries a little sediment, similar to Scottish rivers.
EXPECTED CONDITIONS The Arctic Circle bisects the Kola Peninsula and, as such, when combined with the mainly maritime climate, the weather can be unpredictable.
At the beginning of May the Varzuga region is changing from winter to spring and at this time the fish run in vast numbers. Temperatures normally range from 20°F to 50°F (-6°C to 10°C) but this can vary. There is the chance of wind, rain and snow with water temperatures slowly rising from 32°F (0°C) to the mid 40’s (7°C) by the end of the month. Fishing with sinking, intermediate or sink tip lines will be the standard with larger flies and tubes working well at this time. Whilst fish of up to 25lbs have been landed, the majority of fish tend to range between 7lbs and 11lbs in weight. At this time of year they will be fresh-run and aggressive although extreme temperatures can lessen their fight.
In late May temperatures can range from 35°F to 60°F (2°C to 16°C) with warmer sunny days expected but, again, periods of rain or wind are a possibility. The water temperature at the end of the month will range from 42°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). Fishing will predominantly be with intermediate, sink tip or floating lines and the flies will be starting to decrease to size #4s and #6s. The fish will still be fresh-running and, with the increase in water temperatures, they will fight hard. On average the weight will be around 8lbs although once again many larger fish will be caught.
In early June the temperature starts to climb and will normally range from 50°F to 80°F (10°C to 27°C). Rain is still possible although it is unlikely to be prolonged. Water temperatures are expected to rise by 2°F every day in good weather and we will usually have changed to floating lines by the end of the first week, with fly sizes decreasing to #6’s, #8’s and #10’s during this period. The earliest run fish will be starting to show some signs of colour although the vast majority will still be fresh from the sea.
In late June the summer temperatures generally range from 60°F to 90°F (16°C to 32°C) with extreme days in the past few years reaching up to 100°F (38°C) though this sunny weather can be interspersed with overcast days. The water temperature can reach 70°F
(21°C) or, in rare cases, rise even higher. Floating lines are the norm and small flies, hitched or skated flies and dry flies work well. In the upper reaches of the Varzuga system, although fresh fish will still be running, the majority will be adopting their breeding colours, accelerated by the higher water temperatures.
THE CAMPS
Lower Varzuga The base camp for the whole operation. Lower Varzuga has arguably the best accommodation on the Kola. Two brand new, custom designed lodges have 18 bedrooms in all, and 12 of these are ensuite. Under floor heating, power showers and very comfortable beds make this a supremely luxurious camp. Large, tabled verandas look out over the home pools of this wonderful beat and the main dining and sitting room also looks out over the home pools and has a large wood fire. There is also a Russian sauna or ‘banya’ in which to ease aching muscles at the end of the day. The beat is roughly 3¾ km long with 22 named pools, varying in width from 80m to 200m. Wading in most places is moderate, although one or two stretches need extra care. A double-handed 15 foot rod is suitable for this beat throughout the season although we recommended guests bring single-handed rods following the onset of June.
Kitza The Kitza is a tributary of the Varzuga, joining the main river at its mouth. The camp itself is 7km from the sea and roughly half way up the beat. The river is between 30 and 70m wide with over 40 named pools and wading is relatively easy throughout. Being lake-fed, the water tends to be a few degrees colder than the Varzuga. The camp comprises five of the old style twin log cabins which we now use as singles each with a shower and loo and two of the new style two roomed cabins which share a shower and loo. There is a central dining room, a cosy sitting room with a log fire and a sauna. Fishing on the Kitza is with a double-handed rod although, later in the season a single-handed rod might suffice but we suggest you take both.
Middle Varzuga Middle Varzuga camp is on an island, 16kms above the Lower camp. The camp comprises of six cabins with a private room for each rod and each cabin with their own shower and loo. There is a central dining and sitting room and a sauna. The 8km beat, with 28 named pools, ranges in width from 90 to 170m. Wading is relatively easy although one or two pools are difficult. A 15 ft rod is suitable although we recommend guests bring single handed rods from June onwards.
Pana Some 95kms from the sea on the main tributary of the Varzuga is the Pana Camp. The camp comprises five twin bedded cabins each with a shower and loo. There is a central dining and sitting room and a sauna. The beat of roughly 18kms is between 30 and 40m wide with 35 named pools. Wading is easy throughout. A 15’ double-handed rod is necessary in the early weeks but a single-handed rod with 8# or 9# line can provide good sport later on.
REELS, LINES AND LEADERS A sturdy reel with a good drag system and at least 100m of backing is essential for fishing the Varzuga. Please refer to the expected conditions as to which lines you should expect to use in your week. However, it is always prudent to carry more than you need rather than less. Either 12lb or 15lb leader will generally be adequate.
FLIES Most traditional patterns work on the rivers with the early favourites being Ally’s Shrimp, Munro Killer, Willie Gunn, Green Highlander and Temple Dog, these flies working particularly well as tube flies. Later on, as the size of fly decreases, simple Stoat’s Tails, Sunray Shadows and darker colours seem to work best. The joy of the river is that one can experiment without great risk of failure and we have
taken fish on a great range of flies not all necessarily associated with salmon fishing. All flies MUST have crushed barbs and be either single or doubles. Fishing Inspectors have, in the past, confiscated rods and licenses of clients with even a barbed hook tied onto their line in preparation for the morning’s fishing. In the event of confiscation for the above reasons Roxtons accepts no responsibility.
REPORTS We run a daily blog from the river which will keep you updated with the latest catches and conditions please go to the website www.roxtons.com.
WADING Chest waders are essential and they should be felt soled or studded for extra grip. At the beginning of the season water temperatures can be as low as 32°F (0°C) and either neoprene or Gore-Tex waders with adequate thermal protection are advisable.
Later in the season the emphasis should be on comfort and mobility. The use of wading sticks is essential
LIFE JACKETS We cannot stress strongly enough that you wear a life jacket at all times when fishing. We have all heard of fishing tragedies where people have drowned. The water temperature in Russia can be barely above freezing and hypothermia will set in almost immediately, severely restricting movement. Roxtons accepts no liability for injury or accident when on the river bank or when wading.
PHOTOGRAPHY We suggest a small camera and/or video camera for those keen to record their holiday. Remember to bring a battery charger, a polarising lens may also be helpful. For keen bird watchers a pair of small binoculars are essential.
Fishing in Russia is a unique experience and it can be spoilt by not having the correct tackle and kit. Please contact any of the tackle dealers for further advice.
CONCLUSION All members of staff whether here, en route to Murmansk or on the river will do their utmost to ensure that the expedition surpasses your expectations. However, please remember that we are in Russia and that standards are far removed from our own. We will try our hardest to ensure that your wishes are met and that our camps are fully supplied at all times. However, in this area of Russia, things can go wrong. We ask for you to be open-minded and tolerant, knowing that we are doing everything we can to resolve any problem.
Occasionally, although rarely, the weather can delay arrival on or departure from the river. This is something no mortal can control. We will, of course, endeavour to get you in or out as soon as possible but bear in mind that you may miss connecting flights for which we cannot be held responsible. You are strongly advised to take out adequate insurance to cover this eventuality.
ADDED NOTES ON THE FISHING
General Salmon tend to run the edge of the fast current, using the disturbed water found there to aid passage. At the beginning of the season, with high water flows, this means that the fish will be closer to the bank than in later weeks when the flow lessens. Although there are certain places where one must wade at all times of the year to reach the fish, there are others where it is not necessary until later on in the season.
The river varies greatly both in its width and the proximity of the vegetation behind the angler. In only a few places will it be difficult to overhead cast but a knowledge of Spey casting is an advantage. Camp managers are all experienced fishermen and, although not necessarily casting instructors, they have the ability to help you hone your skills.
The most important aspect of fishing that the angler directly controls is the presentation of the fly. If the fly is presented badly it will not catch a fish. It is as simple as that. Furthermore, the angler who casts the longest line does not automatically catch the most fish. It may look professional but in most circumstances the line rather than the fly will be going over the fish. It is more important to read the water, work out the most likely paths the fish will take and the spots where they will lie and then cast to them. Varzuga salmon seem to prefer a faster fly. In areas where the river flows smoothly this could mean casting a perpendicular fly rather than the traditional 45° cast preferred by Scottish ghillies. Depending on the speed of the current you may need to mend the line upstream to slow it down and downstream for the opposite effect.
In fishing a pool one should avoid ‘the heron’ posture of standing in one spot and casting for a long period of time. You are far more likely to catch fish and learn a great deal more about where fish lie by changing the location of your fly. Once you have completed a cast and the line is straight below you, either extend your cast or take a stride downstream. If you subsequently move a fish, cast again or change flies as you are more likely to catch a fish which has moved to you before. There is plenty of water to fish and it is better to cover it all rather than just one spot. Move to the fish as they will not move to you.
Roxtons Field Sports, 25 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF
Playing the fish There is no need to strike hard, lifting the rod once the fish has turned is sufficient to set the hook.
BY LAW WE FISH ONLY WITH BARBLESS SINGLE AND DOUBLE HOOKS and, once into a fish, it is important to keep pressure on and not allow the line to slacken. However, it is just as important not to play the fish too hard. You should allow the fish to take line from the reel and to fight the rod rather than you. It is just as likely to throw the hook being played too hard as it is when played too gently.
Handling the fish Once the fish has been played to the bank the guide should be on hand to net and release it. If, for any reason, he is not available to help please use the following guidelines when handling the fish:
1) Ensure that your hands are wet or gloved when handling the fish and try not to take it out of the water.
2) Never lift a fish out of the water by its tail, as this is likely to fatally damage its internal organs.
3) If you have to beach a fish ensure that you return it to the water as soon as possible. Subsequent mortality rates in fish kept out of the water for over 45 seconds is extremely high. Also, be aware that the more scales a fish loses, the higher the rate of subsequent mortality.
4) Once the hook is removed take care to revive the fish by holding it upstream in the current to flow oxygen into its gills. Once ready it will give a flick of its tail and you may release it. Release a fish too early and it is likely to turn belly-up after a few seconds and die.
Fishing Hours In general, fishing hours with your guide are from 9am until 6pm, with lunch taken on the river bank. Before and after these hours you can take advantage of the home pools around each camp. However, try to always fish with another guest for safety reasons and remember that there are others who may wish to take advantage of these home pools which, on some beats, are among the most prolific.
Conservation Please remember that the fishing in Russia is STRICTLY CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. With the present decline in salmon stocks in other parts of the world, we must do our utmost to preserve the wonderful stocks we find on the Kola Peninsula. It is illegal to take fish out of the country and therefore to kill every fish we catch would be a terrible waste.
TACKLE DEALERS
Farlows 9 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5NP Tel: 020 7484 1000 Web: www.farlows.co.uk Email: [email protected] Contact: Brian Fratel
Michael Evans & Co Unit 1, Little Saxbys Farm, Cowden, Kent, TN8 7DX Tel: 01342-850765 Web: www.michaelevans.co.uk Email:[email protected] Contact: Michael Evans
