Varzina a dream river in the Russian tundra.

The are salmon rivers in this word that only need to be mentioned in conversation to have fishermen’s pulses running overtime. Finally after years of dreaming I finally had the chance to fish the wild steps of Russia’s Kola Peninsular.

SKOT

Modern trout camp.

These are all the flies you need.

Only wild fish here at Varzina.

Yeahhh!

Stories of five kilo brown trout and monster salmon have been heard a thousand times and as far as I’m concerned I need to see it before I can believe it. Well let me tell you it’s true. With the endless help from Norwegian Tundra Explores and their number one guide I had the chance to see what this river had to offer. The beauty of Varzina’s trout camp is that everything is covered, food, guides (which are some of the best coaches a fly fisherman can find) and all the help you need. All you need to worry about is catching the fish.

Fishing adventures often begins long before the first fly is cast. Travelling to the Russian tundra is an adventure in its self not only is the third world nature of Russia enchanting but the helicopter is one hell of a ride!

Enough about the details what you need to know is how is the fishing. What can I say but the fifteen lads at the camp awoke every morning with macho stories of trout exceeding 60 centimetres and salmon stronger than Van Dam. This only spurred this man into action. Torstein (owner and guide of N.T.E) and I wondered up stream to the scene of these tales. With out telling a tall story it took no more twenty casts towards the out flow of lake pool to hook my first Varzina salmon. My class eight fly rod was tested and my nerves were frayed. With a hell of a lot of luck the result is visible (take a look at the photo to the right).

SEASON.

Varzina has a long and varied season. The first good run of salmon begins in mid June and continues until the last week of the camps opening, which is around mid September. Included to the fantastic salmon runs are some of the world’s best brown trout. The paramount time to begin your tout season in Varzina River is Late July and through to the end of August.

FLY CHOICE

As with all the rivers on the Kola Peninsula Varzina is exclusively for fly fishermen. This is in order to operate a controlled catch and release fishery. All flies must be barbless and all care must be taken to release you fish. Do not assume that as a beginner this is beyond your abilities. I’m no expert caster and with the help from the guides I returned to Norway with added self-confidence and plenty of new tips to help my fly-casting.

The first question faced by such a trip is what flies to take. If you are like me you’ll pack seven boxes filled with every fly you could lay you hands on. Well that is not essential.

Here is a list of what you will need: streaking caddis (black and brown), a few kola killers, Teal, Blue & Silver, Tippet Shrimp, Varzina Spring Fly, Flash-Butt, Green Butt, Collie Dog Red, Black Sheep, Bomber, dry, Horn Jack a.k.a. Timberman, Flash Garry, Black Rat and Red Flag. This is all you will need for a successful week.

How to book

Before you consider booking there a few important points to cover. It is important that you book via a company that has NRG. There is a current trend for some sports stores to arrange tours but due to the fact they don’t have NRG if your flight is cancelled or other unforeseen problems arise you may lose your money and the holiday of a lifetime. With a certified company if the trip does not live up to what they have promised then you will receive your money back no questions asked.

The easiest way is to contact one of the booking agents for Varzina River Company is ring N.T.E as I mentioned they have had years in the trade and will arrange every detail from transport from the airport at kirkiness to the heliport at Mermunsk, Visas and river permits. The cost for a week at trout camp is 2,350 American dollars.

If you would like more information then take a look at these links and if that is not enough information then contact us direct post@fishbooking.com.

Links:
www.varzina.fi
www.tundraexplorer.no

Contact person: Torstein Erlandsen, Sandia 9845,Tana Norway
Telephone +47-78927729
Fax +47- 78927246
Mobil number +47- 95779267