Varzina trout camp comes good

Every self-respecting famous Kola Peninsula salmon river these days has to boast its own trout fishing camp in the upper reaches and the North Kola's Varzina river is no exception. Here, a recent report posted on Facebook by the camp reflects, yes a few salmon caught (that's inevitable), but also some quite exceptional brown trout caught. Salmon sized brownies really. Or at least, it would be exceptional, if we didn't just pinch ourselves and say this is trout fishing Kola-style - and anything really is possible..

Guests staying at Varzina Trout Camp during the week of July 29th-August 5th found an old truism about trout fishing in northern climes held good - fishing for trout is better at night. Fish were being caught on streamers, preferably in black and green, and the sport was rather productive.

Kola Varzina reports: ‘Two salmon were caught on Woolly Bugger... Half the Russian fishermen were specialising in the salmon fishing, and some good fish were hooked and lost.

Two days were lost to bad weather for those staying at camp. Several guests were trying fly-fishing for the first time, so fishing was not the easiest for them. Nevertheless 198 trout and seven salmon were caught, including a fish of about 20lb.

Eight trout were in the 65-70cm range and a most beautiful one was landed by Mella Dan Sizten. He caught his fish of 71cm and weighing 5.4 kilos and we congratulate him on his trophy fish!’