Fd: Can you tell us how the idea of setting up fly-fishing operations in Russian territories came up?
Being in commercial adventure business since early 90-s as an owner of adventure agency in St Petersburg I offered a different kind of adventures in Russia and former USSR countries for US and European adventurers – multi days trekking with pack animal caravans, cross-country-skiing, heliskiing, mountaineering in high mountains of Central Asia with massive helicopter support and large base camps.Then, due to some reasons I had to stop this business for a decade and in a middle of 2000-s I started fishing and shortly it became my favorite outdoor activity instead of climbing ant trekking. During my 4 weeks solo fishing trips, that I was annually taking in different parts of the Russian Arctic, I often thought about return to adventure travel business, but with fishing trips as a main point. And I finally made it. Russia with its vast territory and incredible variety of fishing rivers in remote areas that are well worth to visit. I help to do it.
Fd: What kind of fish can fly fishermen go for in your destinations? And how do the landscapes change according to the fish species and areas?
Grayling , Atlantic salmon, Brown trout, Arctic Char, Pink salmon, Sea-Trout, Lenok trout, Taimen, Japanese Hucho, Whitefish, Whitespotted char (kundzha), Rainbow trout (mokizha), Chum salmon, Coho salmon, Pike, Pink salmon, Sockeye salmon, Cherry Salmon - Masu Salmon, King salmon
The landscapes change from Arctic tundra in Kola peninsula and Nenetz region where European Grayling Arctic char, Atlantic salmon and Brown trout inhabit into Siberian taiga with Taimen, Lenok trout, Grayling and Far East forests with; Rainbow trout (mikizha), Whitespotted char, Sakhalin (Japanese) Taimen wide range of Pacific salmon species: Chum, Coho, Pink, Sockeye, Cherry, King.
Fd: How does one arrive to the fishing territories?
Mostly by Mi-8 cargo version helicopter. Usual logistic is international flight - domestic flight - helicopter flight - boating trip or camp stay - way back. Some destinations are reachable by 6x6 bus truck or 4x4 SUV.
Fd: How long does the open season lasts in those regions?
From the first week of June till mid of October.
Fd: What is the programme for a typical fly-fishing day?
If we talk about floating trip a typical
day's routine is as follows: loading rafts after breakfast – floating on the river with stops in all interesting locations for fishing and lunch – reloading of rafts for night camping, dinner. For long trip (16-18 days) at least 2-3 camps are planned for 2 nights stay. In case of stationary camp: after breakfast fishermen go with their lunchboxes to different pools located downstream and upstream along the river.
Fd: How is the lodging in terms of accommodation and facilities?
As I am not a fishing lodge owner, I prefer to offer my own product and do not to resell other lodges services, such as luxury lodges in Kola peninsula or Kamchatka. But before too long, planning to install 2-3 safari-style summer semi-luxury glampings in some hidden locations, accessible only by helicopter.
At present, tent camp is a main lodging that I offer in my trips: comfortable 2 person tents for sleeping, mess tent for dining, gasoline generator, camping chairs and table, kitchenware. Beside tent camping, some of my trips offered wooden cottages accommodation with basic facilities.
Fd: How long before should anglers contact the lodge for reservations?
As mentioned above, I can only talk about my trip reservations, not lodges. I mainly work with group of fishermen and quite flexible with this point. Of course, it’s impossible to organize expedition-style 3 weeks trip in Evenkia or Yakutia 2 months before departure. The sooner you contact, the easier it’ll be for both sides, particularly, concerning Siberian expedition-style trips with hard logistic.
Fd: What kind of animals and wildlife can your visitors see?
Reindeer, particularly in the Arctic – Kola peninsula, Nenets region, Northern Siberia, brown bear and moose in Siberia and Far East. Kamchatka is famous for its volcanoes, annual salmon spawning with its peak in middle of August-September and lot of brown bears on riversides;
Fd: Why do you think every angler should go fishing in Russia at least once? What are the main advantages of the fishing in Russia compared to other destinations like Alaska, Argentina, etc.?
Russia is a big country, with mostly immense and undisturbed territories with great variety of freshwater species. If you want to fish on a wild remote and sometimes pristine river and lakes, Russia is a right destination for you;
Fd: Any other advice for those visiting your destination?
Strong repellent would be very helpful.
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