Yokanga River Lodge, Kola Peninsula, Russia: Pre-trip information 2012:

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Yokanga River Lodge, Kola Peninsula, Russia: Pre-trip information 2012:"

Barry Mosley
5 years ago
Views:

1 Yokanga River Lodge, Kola Peninsula, Russia: Pre-trip information 2012: We look forward to welcoming you to the 2012 season on the Yokanga River, one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding salmon rivers anywhere in the world. The following pre travel document will explain the conditions you will encounter, the tackle and clothing that we feel is necessary and some general background information. Please read everything thoroughly, this information is based on many seasons in Russia and should help make your trip one to remember. Before leaving for the Yokanga, use the following guidelines to equip yourself suitably. Clothing: The Yokanga is in the Arctic Circle and the climate can be very variable. Generally, our season runs from early spring, at the beginning of June, all the way through to autumn in August. The first weeks of the season are characterised by cold, clear weather at night interspersed with either rain or snow showers or conversely hot days with bright sunshine! Temperatures can be anything from just below zero to above 20 degrees. Once the leaves appear on the trees, by late June, the short summer has arrived and the weather is normally fairly warm, up to the mid-twenties sometimes, although there are occasional rain storms which can last a couple of days. From late July the weather turns cooler with the approach of autumn. At this time of year the weather is normally cold at night with warmer days, although into August the weather can turn bitterly cold and wet during the day. In our experience the weather in any one week can include hot sunshine, cloudless skies, fog, rain and snow. Therefore clothing that can be layered is the most useful. Bear in mind there is a daily laundry service, which is charged to the client at the end of the week if utilised. We would recommend the following: One pair of breathable waders. One pair of wading boots with felt or rubber soles (studs are not popular as they can damage the inflatable boats). Gravel guards. Wading socks. Thin fleece long- john s and thicker fleece trousers, which can be worn individually or together depending on the weather. A wading belt that will do up tightly round your waders. Two or three t-shirts or microfibre under layers. A light weight and a medium weight fleece top, and a warm fleece jacket. A breathable waterproof wading jacket. A warm scarf and hat. Gloves, many fishers prefer the thin neoprene variety. A backpack, ideally a waterproof daypack, is essential to take out equipment with you each day. For the evening in the lodge the dress code is casual and a pair of trousers with a shirt is normally adequate as the lodge is well heated, although a jumper or jersey can come in useful! Tackle: The Yokanga is a challenging river to fish, but it can be very rewarding to the well equipped, thinking fisher. The first thing to mention is that this is a catch and release fishery so single or double barbless hooks must be used at all times. A pair of pliers is normally adequate to flatten the barbs on most hooks. The river is rocky and fast flowing in most places and the fish are often resting in small pockets and lies that are not immediately obvious. Although a wide river, the Yokanga is not

2 deep. Fresh fish run the river from early June well into August so we are fishing for aggressive salmon and grilse that will move to take the fly and it is not usually necessary to fish deep, even in the early season. The fish seem to prefer a fast moving fly and many of us prefer to speed up the fly by retrieving. Floating lines with slow sink tips or intermediate lines are usually satisfactory and shooting heads from floating to fast sinking are useful. Note: When fishing Yokanga wading is often necessary and can be challenging in places. It is essential to bring an inflatable buoyancy aid (it is currently permissible to fly with/transport one compressed air canister in a buoyancy aid and one replacement canister provided that both are placed in checked and not hand luggage) and wading stick if you are visiting the river for the first time. Most regular fishers prefer to use the collapsible type. Rods should be double handed between fourteen and sixteen feet capable of casting 10 to 12 weight lines. Most people bring two rods with them to enable them to fish a heavier and a lighter outfit, or in case of break- ages. The make of rod is personal choice and there are many good quality brands available. We have a limited supply of rods to loan in the lodge in case of missing luggage or breakages. Reels should be good quality with a drag system that works! It should hold the fly line and at least 200 metres of strong (minimum 30lbs) backing. Large arbour reels are useful in that they allow a fast retrieve of line when a fish has made a long run. Lines are to some extent a matter of personal choice. They should match your rod, obviously, and the lines with interchangeable tips are useful. Floating lines, intermediates and sink-tips in various densities will cover all normal situations. Shooting heads work well on this river and can be used in a variety of densities from full floating to fast sinking. It is wise to bring spares as fish in this rocky river can damage lines! Leaders should be short, strong and changed at any hint of fraying. A braided loop superglued to the tip of the fly line should lead to a butt section of two feet or so. You can then attach either a tapered leader or a level section of nylon, but due to large salmon in higher water conditions the tippet strength should be no less than 30lbs in the early season and then should only go down lower in the summer when fishing with smaller flies. It is not wise to fish with less than 18-20lbs breaking strain as there is always the chance of encountering the fish of a lifetime. Flies choice will depend on the time of your visit and the prevailing conditions. We tend to use either tube flies in aluminium or plastic or hairwings on double hooks. For the early season, tube flies between 3/4 and in aluminium and plastic, with a few heavier brass or coneheads will do the trick, see below for patterns. By the end of June we are still using tubes, but doubles are becoming more popular. Sizes will usually be between 4 and 8, with both standard patterns and the longer winged patterns like Yokanga Gold are popular. Dry flies are also used sometimes, tied on single hooks in sizes 4 to 8 or tied as 1 1 ½ hitching tubes. By July doubles are the most popular choice and as well as the previous sizes we are fishing 8 s, 10 s and even 12 s if the water is hot. By early August the weather is usually colder and the water has cooled down so we revert to larger wet flies and tubes again. Popular patterns include: Temple Dog, Yokanga Gold, GP Ally s Shrimp (orange and

3 yellow), Willie Gunn, Pot Bellied Pigs (various), Snaelda, Red & Black Frances, Cascade, Green Highlander, Copper Shrimp, Garry Dog and Sunray Shadows. There will typically be a good stock of fly tying materials and equipment in the Lodge. Other Equipment that is useful/essential includes the following: Buoyancy Aid - guests are required to bring their own or wear those provided at the lodge. Wading staff. Pliers to push down barbs. Forceps to remove hooks. A knife, scissors or clippers. Wader repair kit. Fly floatant for hitched flies etc. Two pairs of good polaroid sunglasses, one with lenses suitable for low light conditions for the evenings. Tape measure. For personal comfort bring mosquito repellent, ideally containing at least 25% DEET, anti-histamine cream and pills, sunscreen and after sun. The Lodge. The remoteness of the Yokanga Lodge is a tribute to the people who planned and built it in the late nineties. You are coming to a real wilderness area with no road access. Despite this, the lodge is very comfortable and is one of the best equipped in the Kola Peninsula. Most guests will be accommodated in spacious twin rooms, although there are four singles available. Room assignments are at the Lodge manager s discretion. All rooms have their own en-suite bathroom with power showers and plenty of hot water. Rooms have electric heaters and the power points are 220V UK three pin plugs. The windows have mosquito mesh. Dinner and breakfast are served in the upstairs dining room and there is also a bar, fly-tying bench, television and plenty of comfortable seating to relax in and discuss the days fishing. There is a banya (Russian sauna) available in an adjacent building and there is also a drying room available for waders, clothing etc. A laundry service is available for a small charge paid on site at the end of the fishing week. Please bear in mind that once you arrive in Russia, it will be difficult to purchase items left behind. We have a full range of terminal tackle available for purchase and rods and reels for loan, but items of a personal nature can prove more of a challenge! Daily Schedule. On arrival, on Saturday after- noon, the Lodge Manager will make a quick orientation speech to advise you about the week ahead. Normally, we make a wake-up call at 7.30am and breakfast is available at 8am. Everybody must be ready to board the helicopter at 8.45am for a 9am start to the fishing day. Fishing is until the helicopter returns, around 6pm. Lunch is on the river. Predinner drinks normally start around 7pm with dinner at 8pm. Fishing on Home Pool is available from after dinner until around midnight. There is a guide available on Home Pool until this time, with a boat used to access the other side. We usually make up a Home Pool rotation at the beginning of the week for the Lyliok area, but the rest of the beat is open. Notes on fishing the Yokanga. The Yokanga is an interesting river to fish, and the techniques that we use on other rivers work here as well. The standard method of fishing is to cast either square or slightly downstream and let the line swing round with the current until it straightens out and hangs below you. The fish seem to prefer a fast fly, so it is more important to cast a straight line than a longer one

4 that lands in a bit of a heap. There is usually no need to mend up-stream to slow the fly but mending downstream to speed it up is popular, Retrieving is also popular, either stripping or figure of eight retrieving. Once the swing has finished it is important to leave the fly on the dangle for a moment before stripping in some of the line, fish can often follow the fly right round and take at this moment. After each cast take two or three steps downstream, so that every cast covers new water. Also, concentrate on the water you are fishing and make sure you have covered the places you think a fish might be resting, even if it is literally just big enough for one salmon. When a fish takes it is very important not to strike the fish. Let him have all the time he wants to take the fly and then lift the rod slowly but firmly as he moves away with the fly, lifting into the tension. After that, keep the line tight at all times. There are certain rules regarding catch and release, most of which are common sense. Use barbless hooks only, pinching down barbs is sufficient. Do not use treble hooks in any circumstances. Please be aware that Fishery Inspectors patrol regularly and they have the power to confiscate your tackle if you break these rules. Play the fish quickly. Do not drag it up onto the bank; rather draw it into shallow water out of the main current. Do not hold the fish up by its tail, rather use both hands to support the fish, holding one under its belly behind the pectoral fins. If taking a photograph do so quickly and have the fish out of the water for the minimum time possible. General Information. Travel. Most guests will travel to Yokanga via a major European city airport, usually Helsinki. Guests stay overnight at a hotel and board a charter flight direct to Murmansk the following (Saturday) morning. Return charter flights are scheduled to return to Helsinki from Murmansk during the early afternoon of the following Saturday, usually allowing guests to continue their homeward journey that day. Once guest deposit payments are received by Fly Fish Yokanga, it is normal for guests to be invoiced for their overnight accommodation and charter flights directly by the charter flight supplier company. Travel Documents. A valid passport with a Russian visa is necessary for entry into Russia. Fly Fish Yokanga will obtain invitations needed for each guest to apply for a Russian visa and supply full instructions for obtaining visas. Please ensure that you read visa application documents carefully and act on instructions in a timely fashion. Alcoholic drinks. We have beer, vodka and wine available in the Lodge. Vodka is included in the cost of your trip. Wine and beer are available by the bottle or can and will be charged to you at the end of the week. If you enjoy drinking whisky, gin or any other special drink you are advised to bring these with you to the Lodge and when doing so please bear in mind the Russian duty free allowance of 1 litre of spirits per person. Water. The water supply in the lodge is filtered and safe to drink, however we also have bottled water available free of charge. Soft drinks are also available free of charge. Insurance & Documents: Proof of an adequate travel insurance policy is a requirement of booking a trip to Yokanga. Please send a copy of your insurance policy certificate with your completed & signed Guest Questionnaire

5 to confirm your booking. You will receive your Guest Questionnaire, Pre Travel Document, visa invitation and instructions and a copy of the Fly Fish Yokanga Booking Terms & Conditions at the time of final invoicing, usually not less than three months before travel. First aid and Health. Please let us know in advance of any serious health problems you may have. We have first-aid supplies at the lodge, but please pack any personal medications that you require. There are no inoculations required for travel to Russia. It is a requirement of the Fly Fish Yokanga Ltd Booking Terms & Conditions that all pre-existing medical conditions are declared on the Guest Questionnaire form to be completed prior to travel. Dietary Requirements. If you have any special dietary requirements due to ill health, such as if you are diabetic or require a low fat diet, please advise us as soon as possible. This can be done by filling in the relevant sections on the Fly Fish Yokanga Ltd Guest Questionnaire form to be completed prior to travel. Tips to the Guides and Lodge Staff. Gratuities are a personal matter and are gratefully accepted by the guides and staff. As a guideline we would recommend giving your guide, who will be with you all week, around 200 (Euros), and the Lodge staff around 150 (Euros.) The tip for the Lodge staff should be given directly to the Lodge Manager and it will then be divided equally between all the staff. The Lodge Manager will be happy to advise you on this issue to avoid over-tipping or undertipping. Money. While you are in camp most services are provided as part of your trip. However, you will be expected to pay for some items, including beer, wine, flies and general tackle and goods from the shop, satellite telephone calls, laundry and tips. We take payment in cash for these items and do not have a facility to take credit card payment. You will be unlikely to need roubles during your trip. Baggage. Please bear in mind that travel to and from the Lodge and Murmansk is by helicopter, and the weight is limited. We would suggest that you take one large bag of up to 22kgs, with a reasonable sized carry on bag and a rod tube. Helicopters. You will be fly- ing everyday in a Mi-8 helicopter. These are reliable and well serviced helicopters with experienced and highly professional crew. They are used throughout Russia and in many countries worldwide and have an enviable reputation as a workhorse helicopter that is reliable in all situations. They can, however, be quite noisy and smelly! We do provide earplugs but you may prefer to bring your own hearing protection. Friday nights. Due to bad weather conditions or military exercise it is sometimes necessary for clients to be flown to Murmansk on Friday night. The best judgment is taken at the time in order to avoid major inconvenience to your trip. Thank you for booking to fish the Yokanga river. We believe it to be a very unique and exciting river. We wish you a successful, rewarding and enjoyable trip and look forward to seeing you there... Tight Lines Roderic Hall Camp Manager & Director Peter Rippin Director

AlpenView Wilderness Lodge, Inc. P.O. Box 8571 Kodiak, Alaska U.S.A. (907)

AlpenView Wilderness Lodge, Inc. P.O. Box 8571 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 U.S.A. (907) 654-5373 mail@alpenview.com www.alpenview.com Thank you for choosing AlpenView for your Alaskan experience. We will do our