Kola Peninsula - Part II

After long discussions about the situation, we renounced to the rotation on Eastern Litza. There was nothing left to do but to take the boat and try to catch some fish from the deep pools in the middle of the river. Heavy tackle, extra fast sinking lines, big weighted rabbit streamer, a long and tiring battle started, like the siege of a fortress. We managed to capture some fish between 2-4lbs but the result was unsatisfactory. 

One day we went to Oset to try our luck on one of Kharlovka's tributaries, a small creek. After a good walk, we reached that place. The creek was a wild river. After another day without the desired results, we slowly headed towards the base camp, passing by a snow wall of impressing dimensions. On the day before the last day, insects began discreetly to hatch, first some brown caddis, then small and medium-sized stoneflies. Fishing from the shore not far away from Andre, I saw he needed help. His rod was bent to the edge. After a few minutes, he managed to bring a superb male fish to the net.

Looking on the water surface, I saw a suspect move a few meters offshore. I tied a Kola Killer and cast into that place. After the second strip, I felt a heavy pull in the rod and the reel started to scream. Suddenly the fish stopped its race and then turned quickly into the shore direction. With long strips, I managed to keep the tension in the line. The fish swam in front of me and headed for the branches of a submerged tree. I knew that if it came into the branches, the battle was lost so I put more power into the bent rod. With an annoying sound, the last segment broke a few inches away from the ferrule. The fish managed to win the battle, breaking the tipped.

Fortunately, I was able to recover my broken segment before it plunged into Kharlovka's deep and wild waters. As I arrived in the camp, I headed for my tent. I was tired and disappointed. The last day arrived. After breaking the camp, we decided to spend the hours before the helicopter arrived at the home pool. Fishing with the two-handed rod, I managed to capture a beautiful trout around 5lbs on a caddis pupa, the biggest fish I caught during the whole week and also my new trout best personal record. The helicopter arrived much earlier than expected, then started the long and tiring way home.

Conclusions

The Russian tundra is a wild and unpredictable backcountry in all aspects. Although the expedition was planned for the week that over the years proved to be the most prolific, this time it was not so. I traveled so far to fish with the dry fly for capital trout specimens. Unfortunately, insects didn't hatch (especially ephemerids) and the fish were all caught with a heavy streamer or deep-fished nymphs. The number of catches was extremely small.

The first two fishing weeks offered by the organizing company were canceled due to the weather conditions and the high water levels. All of our group and most of the other groups felt that this week should have been canceled too and reprogrammed, later in the summer or for next year considering the disability conditions in which we started and continued the fishing week. It would have been a different situation if the weather conditions were suddenly broken during the week. The rest of the organization was good, the logistics side evolved smoothly and the tents were in good condition. The Kola Peninsula is a great place and I can recommend it to any fly fisherman who is looking for big brown trout. Fishing in Kola is not cheap, but the sensation you have when you're there is unique. I definitely know, one day I'll return.

© Pictures by V.A.Rusu, Andre Hesselrot
For more pictures visit Andre's blog: FLYSLINGERS

Ide (Orfe) & Ants

With the coming of spring, water temperature is rising and fish become more active. A fish that deserves special attention during the spring months is the ide (orfe) (Leuciscus idus). Often this fish is mistaken by the not so skilled fishermen with their relative, the chub (Leusciscus cephalus) with which they divide their habitat. After the spawning season, the orfe prefers the backwaters. These are quite rich in species but not easy to fish. Fly fishing has a clear advantage compared to the ground- and spin fishing.

At the end of winter, this fish gathers in large swarms that move to their spawning grounds in the spring. In order for the fish to become active, the water temperature must rise to at least 7-8 ° C. The ide can be outwitted with the fly from early spring to the late autumn days. In the first weeks of spring, when the water is still very cold, you can catch ide with the nymph, but when the water gets a little warmer, the fish hunt just below the water surface. This makes the orfe an ideal candidate for the dry fly. They hunt mostly in small groups (2-3 specimen), however, capital fish are loners.

Among the most successful dry fly patterns are insects (terrestrials). I achieved good results with ant patterns as well as with foam hawthorn flies. Under the water surface, ide can be easily caught with small black spiders, butcher fly or small baitfish patterns. I tie the ants on dry fly hook size 14-16.

The fish are very spooky and the accurate presentation of the fly is urgently needed. After a spoiled cast, there is usually no second chance. It is best to place the fly gently on the water surface with a parachute cast about 0.5-1 m in front of the fish. Compared to his relative, the chub, who looks at the fly from all sides before it can decide to take it or not, ide is much more determined.

With a floating WF line, you are well equipped. The leaders I use usually have a length of 12-14 feet. The connection to the approx. 0.5 m long, 6X or 5X fluorocarbon tippet is made by a Pitzinger ring (small metal ring). Length and rod class should depend on the type of water you are fishing, but don't go over 5wt.

Abdomen and head of the small ants are made of two drops of hot glue, black rooster hackles and a white CDC tag for a better view. In one of the following posts, I'll present a step-by-step tying tutorial of this ant pattern.
I'd like to hear about your experience with this fish on the fly. What is your favorite fly pattern?