ASR fishing summary for 2020
Unfortunately the vast majority of our fishing plans were suddenly put on hold from earlier this year when Corvid-19 began to spread and quickly developed into a pandemic that would affect the world. While the ASR team greatly missed our regular foriegn fishers, there were a good number of dedicated Russians (as well as a few foreign veterans that were eventually allowed to arrive late on) - who all fished with personal guides with the rivers to themselves this season. Meanwhile the salmon thrived - especially early on through the high water conditions that eventually led to a spectacular number of fish spotted disappearing through the Kharlovka falls while the surrounding pristine nature took her course.
Last winter saw record snow and ice packs that were followed on by some of the highest recorded spring river levels since the ASR was established – reaching 1.8m on the Kharlovka river scale. The Kharlovka home pool picnic area was flooded and the rising river blew out half the staircase (and walk bridge) that led down to the river from the lodge.
Early spring levels on the Rynda reached the sauna.
Aston surveys the high spring flow from the Rynda House
However, unlike the previous high water season back in 2017, this year the more prolonged thaw in June meant that the unprecedented flows turned out to be short lived with the rivers receding a meter and a half and waters warming to 13C by the end of the month. The warm dry conditions continued into July with water temps rising to 20C for a couple days of high summer. By the middle of August, water levels were approaching record low levels before cooler temps and significant rain finally returned - raising the rivers up some 30cms over a 2 day period. Nevertheless, the conditions remained on the dry and mild side through the autumn 3 Rivers weeks and the conclusion of the season.
Fish on at the Litza Tent pool
In comparison, last season the rivers started off in the spring 1.4m (78%) lower than this season yet were flowing 45cm higher and 12C degrees cooler by late July. Nevertheless, over the last 2 seasons, the conditions eventually equalised from the late August weeks through the end of the season which ended this year on 19th Sept with a final water temp reading of 8C along with low river levels that were nearly equal to the previous year.
Dima and Alexander fishing the pockets on the upper Litza
In spite of the annual variation in conditions (with seemingly greater fluctuation from one year to the next) as well as the lighter than normal fishing effort resulting from the international and domestic Russian travel restrictions, there was some excellent fishing for the fortunate few. In total there were 65 guests with small groups spread through the season on both the Kharlovka and Rynda camps who landed a total of 971 salmon on the season which works out to an average of 14.9 fish per angler. The largest salmon were 31, 31 and 30 pounds.
Some highlights included the first week of July on the Kharlovka and Litza where seven guests had an exciting week releasing 210 salmon.
Vladimir Jr. with a 28 pounder from the Litza Tent pool
Week 28 - Alex of Farlows Travel Russia with another 28 pounder from the lower Litza Snowbank pool.
Even in the lower water of Week 30, on the Rynda four guests landed 81 salmon during an exceptionally bright week with temps in excess of 30 degrees.
Sergey releasing a 18 pound salmon at Rock Island on the lower Rynda
Tatyana admiring a 23 pounder at the Kharlovka Home pool.
Happily, international travel into Russia finally began to resume by Week 33 which allowed our only foreign fishers of the season consisting of a small team of 2 Scots and 2 Englishmen who arrived to the Kharlovka camp on the 8th August. Having fast tracked visas, arranged flights, and tested recently negative for COVID, clearly nothing was going to stop this veteran team from returning to camp this season. Despite the tricky low water conditions, the lads had a thrilling unforgettable experience with the rivers to themselves landing 96 salmon on the week. Volodya summed the week up by stating - “They will return to tell their children about this experience - who in the future will pass the memories onto their children.”
On week 36 starting 29th of August there was 7 Russian guests who released 95 salmon that included 2 personal bests over 30 pounds - in addition to an extra large order of Kamchatka crab along with harvesting buckets loads of berries and mushrooms - hu ra!
The ASR season concluded on the 19th September while the prime autumn season on the southern Strelna river will finalise on the last week of October with upcoming fish reports to follow shortly.
The Strelna River flows into the White Sea on the southern Kola
As fishermen we are instinctive optimists. Whilst enduring with you the frustrations and disappointments of recent months, ASR staff will continue to look forward to fishing with our foreign fishing friends and guests who were unable to visit the camps this season and have already rolled their bookings over to 2021. We are confident that the significant work with the authorities of the last 12 months to eliminate the unscheduled late changes encountered in the 2019 season will continue to bear fruit.
Whilst none of us can yet be certain of when the old “normal” will again be possible, much has been learned this year and it seems likely that by Spring 2021 the world will be much more adept at managing the complications thrown at us this season. We are therefore looking forward with renewed confidence and anticipation to welcoming you back in 2021.
We have been taking the opportunity to work hard behind the scenes to create a new ASR website which will be pushing to go live online before the end the season. Crucially, the ASR will be sending out fishing invitations for the 2021 season by the end of September and we look forward to talking with you to fulfil your plans to return to us next season.
With best wishes from the ASR team!
