salmonjunky
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We have finally arrived back to the magical north coast of the Kola Peninsula and so have the big Salmon!
For the last 10 days the ASR staff have been busy filling the tanks, charging the batteries, assembling the tent camps, installing the new communication systems, and putting the finishing touches on numerous building projects - in addition to 100's of other trivial jobs. As anyone who has visited the ASR will know - it is all about the 'attention to details!'
Even though there were snow flurries and single digit temperatures for Peter's ceremony at the Orthodox church on the 22nd of May and the staff were commenting on how Spring seemed to have arrived to Murmansk a couple of weeks early this season, nobody was prepared for the early summer-like conditions they would find upon their arrival to the camps.
Sasha Tundra who has spent the last 8 winters guarding the camps, was able to sum the conditions up best by reminding us about the long mild autumn that seemed to go on and on lasting almost up to the new year. In addition, to the low winter snow levels that were almost doubled later on in February and early March. Although the month of February was a very cold with temperatures down to -30 C for several weeks, the thickness of the ice and the snow pack along the far northern coast finished up approximately 20% below normal.
By the time we got the Home pool stick fastened to into its place on the big rock at the top, the water level was already at 62cm with a river temperature of 9 degrees C on the 28th of May. A week later our first guests arrived to the Kharlovka on the 2nd of June with the river flowing at a summer level of 37cm with an encouraging opening temperature that had dropped back to 7C.
Photo: Alex releasing his 28 pounder
However, spring time has always been for believers only! This season the big spring gamble appears to be paying off. Last Saturday, pretty much the same 12 lucky guys as usual arrived to back to Kharlovka prepared for anything that might come their way. Under the professional opening week guidance of Mikael Frodin who will be sharing his secrets through short power points back in the lodge and guiding a different group on the river each day, we all assembled together in the lodge on the first afternoon to our plan our method of attach. Despite the low water and beautiful spring conditions, everyone seemed to be cautious about announcing their early predictions. As a group, we decided that the best approach would be to spread 6 rods down the Kharlovka and the other 6 down the Litza - from the top to the bottom.
After quickly making a meal out of our traditional fish soup and Russian beef stroganoff to build the boys up on the first Saturday afternoon and with partners now chosen and the beats drawn, it was DT who boldly stood up from the table first to proclaim "Listen - We have all seen warm early-spring conditions before but that doesn't necessarily mean the salmon are here? However by spreading out on the rivers, we will all know if they have arrived by late supper tonight!" By the way, DT has seen it all before as he has been returning to the Kharlovka on this same week for the last 20 years since the camp first opened back in 1992!
As promised earlier, Vladimir followed through with his descion to upgrade the ASR fleet this season by adding 2 modern Euro helicopters - to be used on the Kharlovka and Rynda camps.
And so it was, with great anticipation, we quickly deployed the teams. Thankfully it did not take long for the radios to start crackling and the good news to come rolling in!
In fact, it only took Richard four casts before he was into his first salmon of 14 pounds out of Julian's pool. Not wanting to go any further than the home pool on the first afternoon, we had to insist that Johannes fly down to the lower Kharlovka to land his personal best of 28 pounds with long tailed sea lice - within the first hour. In fact there were 6 salmon landed (and a similar number lost) within the first couple hours that opening evening including 28, 20, 20, 19, 15, and 14 pounders - all fresh fish with sea lice...
Photo right: Anders with his new personal best - 20 pound silver salmon
Needless to say, there was no need to wake the lads up the Sunday morning for breakfast as they were already there - all lined up waiting impatiently. Despite the bright sunny conditions and the strong freezing winds blowing straight upstream (resulting in 2 broken rods on the day along with a plethora of creative wind knots!) the fishing continued to be red Hot!
It was Sugai that got the big party started with a serious 31 pounder out of the Tent pool. Darky also had a morning to remember in Barrel pool somehow managing to put a 26 pounder into Kola's net shattering his old Kharlokva personal best. Mikael probably deserves some of the credit for insisting that young Anders go back through the Lower Canyon with a deep sinking line. Good move, as Anders nearly doubled his previous best hauling up a bright fresh 20 pounder from the depths. Mikael followed on giving a lesson to his pupils switching to a small 1 inch green and black to pull out a beautiful 24 pounder on the second pass through the home pool.
Photo: 106cm - 31 pounder for Sugai from the Litza Tent pool
At the end of the day, Jamie staggered up the stairs speechless with that 1000-yard stare after losing a 30 plus pounder that he had within a few meters of the bank on the lower Litza.
However, it was DT and Dave who probably had the biggest smiles that day. So how was it we asked? DT with a red wind burned face replied - 'We had 6 - lost several others and even managed to get a short siesta in after lunch!" Sounds like a good day. DT replied, "What do you mean? That was one of the best spring days I can remember in a long time!" That day DT and Dave landed 6 salmon of 24, 20, 20, 14, 14, 12 pounds...
Photo: Mikael Frodin giving lessons in the Home pool - 24 pounder
Following strong winds and sunny conditions over the weekend, Monday saw increased clouds and cooler air temperatures. The change of weather seemed to make little difference though as the team had another fantastic day of results - including 12 more salmon ranging from 14 to 34 pounds!
The truth is that we have landed twice as many big salmon in the first 2.5 days than we managed to produce during the first 2 weeks last season. And despite the advanced spring conditions, it appears that salmon run has only started as 90% of the fish being caught have sea lice with a majority displaying the longer tailed variety.
With 32 salmon now in the book by dinner on Monday evening, we are obviously a bunch of happy campers!
Photo: Darky with a nice 26 pounder
Stay tuned for the end of the week report along with more big fish photos and a short video clip to follow on as soon as possible...
Justin
Photo left: 1 of DT's 6 salmon to start the week
Photo right: Big Dave admiring his 112cm - 34 pounder
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