ASR Trout report - week 4 starting 17th July

To start with one thing: we were probably the happiest fly fishermen in the whole world this year. While preparing for our trip to the Kola Peninsula, we experienced an emotional rollercoaster. On the one hand the huge anticipation, on the other hand the uncertainty as to whether we can even start the adventure due to COVID19. Around 4 weeks before the start of the trip, the German government suddenly releases a message that all those returning from Russia had to go into quarantine. For this reason, unfortunately, our two Germans fellow fishermen had to rollover and we four Swiss remained. Fortunately, the traffic light remained green for us and so we were finally able to start our trip, albeit with a little queasy feelings.

Picture 1 Ready for take-off. From left to right: Benjamin (Group Leader), Reto, Robin, William

During the spectacular MI8 helicopter flight over the Russian tundra, the sky got darker and darker and it looked like we were flying straight towards a black wall. In fact, the sky opened directly upon landing. After unloading the helicopter we were already completely soaked and had to put up our tents somehow, with heavy rain and strong winds still going on. A simple matter in theory, but quite a challenge in practice in wind and weather. It seemed as if the Russian wilderness didn't want to let us into their realm just like that. After we managed to set up our camp and threw ourselves into our waterproof fishing clothes, the weather cleared up and shortly afterwards the sun greeted us with a few warming rays of sunshine.

With the second cast Robin was able to hook the first fish of the trip in the Homepool and skillfully played it in front of the group. The joy that we actually made it to the place of our dreams was infinite and we were happy together about the first fish of the trip.

Picture 2 Pure happiness about the first trophy trout of the trip

After this successful start there was no stopping, and so we were able to land 8 fish on the first day. Some were lost, which was due to the fact that we had to get used to the size and fighting power of these fish first.

In the course of the first few days each of us could catch some great fish, and the PBs were lifted into new dimensions from day to day. The weather played along to some extent. Sun, clouds and a short rain in between alternated at regular intervals. Temperature around 15-20 degrees and the water temperature was 14 degrees. We mainly fished with big flies like the Goddard Caddis or the Chernobyl Ant in Dead Drift or Dead Drift with little twitches. But sometimes we were able to lure the fish to the surface with skaters by letting the fly slide over the surface and imitating a caddis running across the water. William tried his luck in between with a large articulated mouse fly and was actually able to catch two fish weighing over 4kg on it.

Picture 3 William 4.3kg on a mouse

Picture 4 Reto with a trophy of 4.0kg, caught on a wasp imitation

Picture 5 Robin 4.6kg on Chernobyl Ant

Picture 6 Benji 4.5kg on a Skater

After this incredible start, the weather got worse within a couple of hours. A drop in temperature of 10 degrees, a drop in water temperature to 11 degrees, continuous rain and strong wind took not only us fishermen, but also the fish a lot of energy. Although we still got a few takes, the fish often missed our flies. So we had to fight for every fish for three days and the rough tundra conditions really challenged us.

On the last morning at breakfast the conditions were still not better. Nevertheless, Robin,William and I decided to try our luck again. During the march to the lower part of the beat, the rain subsided and the wind calmed down a bit. This improvement in the weather was actually immediately reflected in the bite of the brownies and we were able to land 9 fish in 5 hours. To top it off, Robin tried his luck with a streamer, and after a few casts he was able to land the biggest fish of the trip. A gigantic trout weighing 5kg !!

Picture 7 Robin with his new PB and the biggest fish of the trip. 5kg!!!

What an end to an already more than successful week. We caught a total of 86 trout, 9 over 4kg and one of 5kg and an average weight of 2.85kg. These numbers speak for themselves and underline the quality of this river and the ASR fishing system! I dare say without a doubt that the Northern Rivers have the best fishing for large, wild brown trout in the world. And all of that mainly with dry flies. Absolutely Unique and incredible!

I would like to thank Carsten Dogs from pukka destinations, our guide Volodya and of course Nadya and everyone responsible from ASR on behalf of the whole group. You have made the almost impossible possible for us !!! Thank you very much!

Benjamin Weger - Groupleader