Roxtons’ director, Christopher Robinson blogged that the middle camp manager, Hugh, caught the fish third time lucky, after losing the first two he hooked on his barbless hooked fly.
The south Kola’s Varzuga is regarded as the most prolific Atlantic salmon river in the world and despite a colder start than usual – or at least more snow – the first week rods can expect perfect spring fishing conditions with high, cold (1-2 Deg C) water – and thousands of salmon running through their beats. Fast sinking lines, shortish leaders and tube-flies of 1.5in-2in will be the choice of the early anglers. Last year saw just four rods catching 220 salmon for the first week. This year is fully booked with rods into double-figures so expectations are high!
White-out: Lower Varzuga camp from the helicopter.