Its been a chaotic but delightful start to the much anticipated 2021 ASR season!
Following a more than normal amount of snow and ice that blanketed the ASR during the winter months - early May was met with warm dry conditions which accelerated the early spring thaw. The temperatures and conditions were more seasonable during the last 2 weeks of May. ASR staff arrived to the camps on 1st June - with water levels still rising and a water temps of 2C on the Home pool scales.
Unfortunately the weather flipped back around for the first 2 weeks of June with bright summer conditions and air temps that rose through the opening weeks well into the high 20’s. As a result, most of the remaining snow and ice pockets melted away with the Kharlovka river peaking at 110cm with a water temp of 5.6C the day the first guests arrived to camp on the 5 June.
Kharlovka camp fishing report for Week 23 starting 5 June:
Salmon fishing is rarely predictable. We always wish we could explain everything but, at least we can still say that if you aren’t out there putting casts in the right places, you will never know. Despite the excellent water level and temperature of the water, the fresh spring salmon were not in a hurry to enter the river during the first days with the hot windy conditions.
The guides and staff worked very hard to succeed in the ever changing conditions on the far North Shore of the Kola and, although challenging, all the guests released at least two good salmon during the week.
The bonus of coming to Kharlovka is that each and every guest thoroughly enjoyed being back on the river and there were many familiar faces and some new ones that we surely see again.
The Kharlovka team have always prided themselves on delivering in the best guiding, facilities and logistics of the far north coast and we are proud to say that the season is carrying on without a hitch… unless you want to fish a hitch of course..
Total number of salmon released: 27 - with 6 fish weighing 20 pounds or more)
The biggest fish of the week: 25 pounder by Elena
Kharlovka fishing summary for week 24 starting 12 June:
It was another successful yet challenging week on the ASR - with 12 guests releasing a total of 98 fish on the week that included 23 fish were in excess of 20lbs. Despite the fact that luck did not favour everyone, all the guests landed some great salmon.
Scottish ASR veteran Jamie and Allan were successful throughout and their productivity was the envy of everyone. It seems that luck was on their side this week as they released an average of 5 good salmon everyday between the two of them. In addition, Jamie also caught one of the two biggest salmon of the week weighing in at an impressive 29lbs. Allan was not far behind with a fish weighing 25.5lbs
The lower Litza was on fire for Max with back to back to back 29 - 26 - 23 pounders that were all hooked on surface with Sun Ray Shadows!
The rest of the Scots and Swiss anglers also had their moments. All of us, of course, will remember the unforgettable party in celebration of Uli's first fish.
Our Russian friends kept up the good fishing with several great fish landed including 23 pounders for Sergey and Andrey.
Vladimir also had a productive week that included a memorable 27 pounder that was landed on Willie Gunn from the Litza Ledge pool.
A short parting ASR video clip from Team Scotland!
being uploaded soon!
Rynda fishing update: The first international British and Russian guests have arrived to camp. All are catching salmon. There is currently fishy conditions with rain and clouds on the Rynda with a water temp of 12C.
Anthony arrived 1 day late to camp last week and was straight into his new personal best 26 pounder on the lower river. Welcome back all to the Rynda!
Rynda guests congratulating Vladimir for his 10th season leading the ASR!
Stay tuned for the further Rynda and Kharlovka fishing summaries for week 25 - coming soon!
ASR international Travel Update:
Despite ongoing inaccurate information from regarding self isolation requirements for British Nationals - this appears to Not to be a requirement as British guests have been successfully and smoothly coming the ASR before returning back to the UK to self isolate at home for a period of time. The Finns, Germans, Swiss, and now Austrians and from the 28 June - the Americans and Italians will also be coming on the list of countries allowed to enter Russian on a tourist visa with a negative PCR test that was take less than 72 hours before arrival. We will keep you informed as other nations become able to enter Russia without regulations on a tourist basis.
If you have questions regarding the travel restrictions to the ASR from your home country then please send an email to Katerina@kharlovka.com