The Ponoi River Co
September 5, 2010
Best ‘Week 15’ in Five Years!!! The Ponoi Is On Fire, Yet Again:
Ryabaga anglers attending Week 15 landed over 520 salmon for the week, a figure which exceeds the average of that of the previous five years’ ‘Week 15’ figures by 150 salmon. The river is at an all time low, affording excellent wading opportunities. The fall run is very strong and steady, which bodes well for next Spring and the future of Ponoi salmon stock altogether. Numerous fish over 10 pounds were landed daily, and numbers of bright fish landed exceeded 65 percent of the week’s total. Tony Cooper landed two 17 pound bright fish in a single day. Meade McCarthy’s first (ever) Atlantic salmon was a 14 pound bright fish, a specimen widely considered among the hardest-fighting freshwater, fly-caught fish. Herve Rodrigue took a 20 pound fresh cock fish to round out his week. Absolutely boiling with activity, the Home Pool produced 50 salmon, 40 of which were autumn run fish. Floating lines with intermediate tips were the most commonly employed, with the occasional implementation of a full intermediate, or ‘hover’ shooting head. Fly action proved more important than the line or fly selection, as current rates are slow in many places. Despite low water, fish remained eager to follow active presentations. Stripping the fly quickly triggered these fresh fish to chase and strike.
Ilya Sherbovich and a group of his colleagues arrived in Ryabaga on Wednesday. Though four of the seven were absolutely new to fly-fishing, the group caught and released 40 salmon for their two-and-a-half days’ fishing… quite a fine tally for the group’s efforts. At the conclusion of the Friday evening meal, Howard Strowman gave a heartfelt and moving recognition of the efforts of all of the staff in Ryabaga Camp. He also noted the importance of the entire experience of congregating in such a place to not only enjoy the spoils of our angling efforts, but also to pause to celebrate each other, great food, plentiful drink, and perhaps most important of all, a good laugh – which, incidentally, is what you get when you are seated within ear shot of Howard. In order to understand the breadth of this man’s sense of humor, I must relate a quick anecdote that he has now told me may times: while at an auction at Christie’s in London, Howard bid on (and won) a Purdey double gun. So doing, he managed to set a record for the highest price ever fetched at auction for such a fine firearm. When approached at the conclusion of the auction by a Christie’s representative who began to inquire about Mr Strowman’s obvious hobby of collecting fine sporting arms, Howard simply responded, “No, I’ve never bought a shotgun, I am taking up clay shooting next week!”
Martin Vainer, Tony Cooper, Alan Maughan, the clan McCarthy, and on and on… you all added something special to the air about the camp as you endured frigid nights and the temptation to stay in bed until the morning fires were lit. Early, late, and in-between, you fine anglers pressed onto the Home Pool for a poke, often finding your efforts rewarded by the take of another fine salmon. There is no question that Ponoi is the best of the best, and you 19 anglers got to experience it in full force!
Until we meet again…
Matt Breuer
September 1st, 2010
Great fishing!
I just returned from Ryabaga last night after a 5 days visit. The camp is looking great and all the staff is in great spirit. Despite the low water the fishing is great, while I was there 70-80 fish were landed every day with an average of 60-70% of them bright Fall run. This is a great opportunity for anglers looking for good wading, I heard great stories of people landing 10+ fish wading. We are expecting rain for the next days, fingers crossed!
Best regards,
Steve Estela
August 29, 2010
Ponoi Fall Run Is Heating Up:
Last week’s fishing verifies beyond any doubt that the Fall Run is heating up! On day “2” last week, anglers landed as many fall run fish as were tallied through the entirety of the week prior, and multiple fish in the 17 and 18 pound class were brought to net.
Weather conditions in Ryabaga continue to cool down. Crisp days and cold nights add to the sensation of fishing the fall run. In the early morning hours, the smell of wood-smoke emanates through the camp, and a few brave anglers don stiff waders in order to start their day in the Home Pool, in hopes of landing a salmon before breakfast. Still others stay snug in their sleeping bags as Sergei and I make the rounds, lighting the wood stove in each occupied canvas wall tent. Water levels on Ponoi remain quite low, and while this does not hinder the catch, it does test the boatmanship of each of the guides. In low-water conditions, the occasional crack gets knocked in the stern of our aluminum skiffs, in the vulnerable area that exists on the welded seam joining the transom to the hull. This section of the vessel sinks low in shallow waters as the boat “falls off step.” In any case, leaky boats are removed from the river, disassembled, engine removed, turned over, prepped, welded, re-assembled, and launched back into the Ponoi in under two hours – an obvious testament to the skill and ingenuity required in a camp in the far end of the Kola Peninsula.
The week started off a bit slowly for 16 anglers from Italy, Australia, Ireland, England, Finland, Argentina, and the United States. Team Ireland began the week by becoming separated from their luggage in Paris, an event that nearly broke guest Ken Tucker down. On the brink of deciding to turn back toward Ireland, Ivan picked him up by the boot straps, and reassured him that the folks in Ryabaga could and would provide absolutely everything necessary to enjoy a successful week of angling on Ponoi. By the end of the first day’s fishing of Week 14, Ryabaga anglers were wondering where the fall run fish were lurking and when they were going to start to appear. Though the first day 16 anglers landed seven fall run salmon of a total 29 salmon for the day, it was not enough to quench the thirst of the group. Having taken day one to “knock the rust off” the spey tackle, however, our group of anglers started to make things heat up. On day two, Alec Soldati of Argentina took four salmon, three of which were fall run salmon, with the biggest weighing in at 17 pounds! When I asked him how a 17 pound fall-run fights he replied: “boludo it is the best fight of any fish I have ever caught, I was crying, you wouldn’t believe!” Alec, my friend, I am glad you caught that fish! Steve Baddeley, long-time Ryabaga angler, brought along his friend Peter Hopton. Hopton, brand new to the sport, landed a 15 pound salmon, 3 fall run of 11 pounds each, and, to put the icing on the cake, a 17 pound fall run salmon… not too shabby for a first experience with fly fishing.
In all, 166 Fall Run fish were landed, a figure more than half of the total salmon landed for the week. Fish over ten pounds totaled 126, a fantastic amount of hard-fighting fall run fish! We are fortunate, and realize that no other river on the Kola Peninsula, or the world over, can boast such autumn statistics! Any angler given the chance to tangle with Ponoi salmon, particularly during the fall run, is one blessed angler indeed. At the rate we are going, this sublime fishing is here to stay!
Until We Meet On The River,
Matt Breuer
August 29th, 2010
Dear Friends,
Last night August 28th, we had a new group arriving at Ryabaga. Everyone was very anxious to experience our famous Home pool. It proved once more to be an outstanding piece of water producing 14 fish, 11 of them bright and 10 over 10 pounds. Check the images on the our updated Photo Gallery.
Best regards,
Steve Estela
Finland in Ryabaga:
Erkki Moisander has been a Ryabaga regular for many years, often fishing here with his son and various friends. This week Erkki hosted 36 friends in Ryabaga in what was a split week. Having a short meeting with Erkki in early July, we were able to hand-craft the perfect program for a split week with 36 new-to-fly-fishing attendees. Upon arrival, the first wave of Finns were welcomed, shown to their tents, and quickly refueled and briefed in the “big tent” by Erkki and myself. We carried out these formalities with military precision, as these 18 men were to be trained in the art of fly casting and prepared for a short 2.3 days of salmon angling on Ponoi. All members quickly dressed in Gore-Tex waders, jackets, and felt-soled boots. “All hands on deck” was the mandate for the guides, as everyone trekked down to the Home Pool. Two anglers, paired with one guide, dispersed along the length of Home Pool to begin a two-hour clinic on how to load the fly rod, perform some overhead casting, and eventually begin the double-spey cast. What ensued sounded more like a rodeo than a spey-clave, but everyone got the gist of the exercises.
Conditions this last week were cooler than the weeks just prior. Rains began to fall again on the Ponoi, freshening up the watershed and allowing the guides to rest a bit easier as they navigate her channels in search of salmon. Water temperatures dropped back into the teens, and the fish were all too happy to accept our double-hooked, smartly-dressed offerings. Slow rising water was the trend for the week as guides offered slightly larger, more densely dressed and brightly colored concoctions affixed to the end of the leader. In all, 200 salmon were landed, a greater number than what Erkki had expected based on conditions and abilities… a testament to the possibilities that are offered up on the Ponoi River. Moreover, several fall-run fish were taken, and fresh fish were spotted throughout the Home Pool… there is some spectacular fishing on the horizon!!
Remarkable is a river where a team of two anglers, never having held a fly rod, can land ten salmon for the day. I would guess that very few salmon anglers might claim such a feat. Each angler to land his first-ever salmon took the adipose fin with a shot of vodka, a long-standing tradition in salmon angling circles. The scene is much like “communion.” With this piece of the salmon consumed, the strength and spirit of this fish can live within the angler always.
The new Ryabaga Banya was put to the test by these men from Finland, who take the finer points of a sauna very seriously. Steaming inside the newly constructed banya is truly the way to end a fine day of angling on Ponoi.
I am sure that our guests from Finland will remember the experiences and stories, laughs and jokes, toasts and tributes, and the camaraderie of the group for years to come. Certainly, the guides and I will not soon forget these fellows and their jolly efforts within their first experience of fly-fishing. No doubt we will meet many of you again!
Until Then, Kippis!
Matt Breuer
August 8, 2010
Back on the Ponoi:
What a great feeling to back on the Ponoi! Our group of nine from Scotland, Ireland, The Isle of Man, and England brought with them the attitude and fortitude of fishers who stalk such fabled rivers as Dee, Test, Tweed, and Oykel. Our guests were used to rivers where, if a single salmon is taken in a week’s fishing, the memory of the event is relished and relived like a wedding anniversary or a child’s birthday. Yes, these gentlemen gave their all-attentive angling best under less than ideal salmon fishing conditions. The weather throughout Russia has been very hot and dry, with wild fires burning rampant throughout the Moscow region, and the scorching heat has not spared the Kola Peninsula. The river level is low and the water temperature has reached the twenty-degree mark at times. Such conditions threaten to slow any salmon fishery substantially, and forecasts of hot and dry can discourage the most optimistic salmon fisher. Despite these conditions, Ponoi once again proved itself an outstanding river, amazing our guests who took nearly 150 fish for 9 rods. As mentioned last week, Glenn Roze brought the first Autumn run salmon to the catch report, on August 5th. Glenn also had a tremendous single session featuring 7 salmon landed, and his angling success has him solidly hooked… we will see Glenn again, I am sure. Ken Hugget made the most of the Home Pool, landing many fine salmon in the off hours each day.
The Ryabaga Guide team looks prepared for stalking bones in the Seychelles, with guides protecting their necks and hands from the sun, and sporting light-weight Simms pants and shirts. In conditions such as these, wet wading is just the ticket, as is the use of floating lines. Successful flies are small doubles: silver doctor, long-tailed green highlander, and flame-thrower in red. Rubber legs tied on double hooks were also very successful flies this week.
The Ponoi, even under challenging conditions, continues to delight anglers with the strength and quality of its fish. Nonetheless, with each passing day we come closer to the full onslaught of the Autumn runners, and the abundance of late summer fishing. With rain in the immediate forecast, water and air temperatures dropping steadily, the promise of sublime salmon fishing looms ever closer. We are eagerly preparing for the bliss soon to come.
Best,
Matt Breuer
August 5, 2010
Fall Runners Are Coming!
Glenn Roze has joined us at Ryabaga for his first time fly-fishing for Atlantic salmon, and, on August 5th, he also landed the first fall run fish of 2010. If you ask any Ryabaga regular, they will tell you that the first fall run appears on the 6th of August. Good on you Glenn, can't wait to see what today's catch will include.
Best, Matt
August 1, 2010
Angling Has Resumed:
Yesterday we welcomed keen anglers back to Ryabaga as we “prime the pump” for what promises to be a fantastic second half of our 2010 season on the Ponoi River. In the absence of guests, the camp of course loses some of it’s magic, but the frenzied work that took place through the break kept life in camp vibrant. Around the edges of the work, however, I am pleased to report that test fishing revealed a steady stream of willing salmon up and down the river, and with the camp looking and running at its finest, we are all excited to serve up some remarkable angling experiences.
The camp has undergone some needed primping and preening; with the installation of a new guest banya (Russian sauna), it was necessary to bridge the gap between old banya (now the staff sauna), and the shower block, with a raised deck and banister addition. This refinement provides another area for congregation. One of the flush toilet buildings received new doors, trim, and paint. Installation of a new ventilation system in the kitchen will add to the ongoing productivity of Natasha Zhurina and her professional team of chefs, and we simply cannot wait to enjoy the culinary delights flowing forth from the improved kitchen. Genia Flidner produced some excellent pieces of furniture, including a table and some chairs in which one might enjoy a cold beer in the foyer of the new banya. In fact, so inspired by Genia’s gifted carpentry was I, that I managed to “get in his way” in the wood shop and produce a couple of pieces myself. Now all who work in the office have sturdy chairs on which to perch. A total overhaul of the big tent floor was accomplished by removing all old planking, installing new footers for the foundation and installing re-finished tongue and groove planking, completed with a thick coat of clear varnish. Tent 16 received the same floor treatment. Erected in the center of camp is a post of signs pointing in the direction of, and denoting distances in kilometers to, many of the great cities of the World. The addition of a new moorage finished out the carpentry projects during the break. The ability to produce such edifices and useful paraphernalia out of wood, from the fallen tree to finished product, here in Ryabaga is powerful verification of the old adage: “necessity is the mother of invention.”
Camp owner Ilya wonderfully presented the camp with a gift of professional weight lifting and workout equipment, to be installed upon its arrival next week. We look forward to providing guests and employees with the opportunity to maintain exercise regimes while far from home. An additional gift of a Polaris Ranger was also warmly received. Ilya’s ongoing generosity and commitment to camp improvements keep Ryabaga at the peak of remote salmon fishing destinations worldwide.
To all of the mechanics, builders, carpenters, painters, sawyers, welders, electricians, and technicians who sweated their way through three weeks of continuous labor to make this camp so strong and productive, my hat’s off to you! Seldom does such a group of people work so well together, in harmony and good stead. Ryabaga, both physically and tonally, continues to feel more and more like a home.
All The Best,
Matt Breuer
July 11, 2010
Sum Sum Summer Time:
Summer is here, along with very warm temperatures, especially considering our latitudinal positioning above the Arctic Circle. Water temperatures this week reached the low twenties, and these warm conditions forced the salmon to seek the refuge of deep lies, and the cooler water therein. Despite extremely hot weather, very warm water, and severe afternoon thunderstorms, wonderful fishing opportunities were nonetheless enjoyed by our anglers. The Home Pool, always a consistent producer, was no exception this week. Those with enough fortitude, perseverance, and a potent dousing of bug dope, had many great successes with the after-hours angling in Home Pool. Flies used this week tended to be small doubles, what with the water temperature quite warm and the water flowing at maximum clarity. Head Guide Max always has some sort of ace up his sleeve… this week was no exception – Max began using a variation of “the wonder bug”, a tie used on the Rio Grande in TDF. Max has pulled this trick before, but he had such success this go-around that other former TDF guides began trying “the wonder bug” as well. It seems that the small, lead-eyed critter, with black chenille body and yellow rubber legs, is just enough of an attractor to coax a tentative salmon out of his holding position. The count for the week was 312 salmon.
Long-time Ryabaga Fishers, our friends from Finland Erkki Moisander and the gang, all added a flair of North Atlantic salmon fishing tradition. Father-Son-Daughter, old friends, all keen anglers converged on Ryabaga to see what could be caught this year. Jenni Junnelius and Jukka Pitkanen both took their first Atlantic salmon on fly, and though they missed out on the old tradition of consuming the adipose fin with a swill of vodka, I am sure they will again pursue the pull of a salmon at the end of the line. We will see Jukka and Erkki again in August, in search of autumn chrome. Guys, I can’t wait.
Ian Bernard from Canada and Seth Harris from New Hampshire, USA, joined us for their first trip to Ponoi. Ian has fished for Atlantic salmon since the late 1960’s at a camp on the Miramichi. The camp, which has been in Ian’s family since the early 1900’s, was built by his grandfather, Dr. George Frederick Clark of New Brunswick, Canada. Ian was absolutely delighted when his friend Seth phoned him to tell him of the two rods he had procured for the trip to Ponoi. There was a frantic moment for guide Barrett Mattison as a salmon spooled Seth, under and around the boat, causing Seth to lose hold of his spey rod, and sending the rod floating downstream. With cat-like grace, Barrett threw the anchor rope and buoy, started the engine, maneuvered the boat 180 degrees, and rescued the rod. ‘Atta boy Barrett! Ian and Seth were both duly impressed with the experience that is Ryabaga, from evenings in the big tent with Single Malt Scotch, to the fishing, which, even at its slowest, is certainly (according to Ian) the finest to be had on any salmon river. In fact, one week here on Ponoi tops a whole season on the Miramichi, and in Ian’s last season on the Miramichi, he landed only 5 salmon.
Pat and Eamon Glennon of Ireland had an exceptional final day of fishing on Ponoi. Guide Tommy Sordelli positioned the “Bora Bora” off of Blind Man’s Point in Gold Beach, and did not let any anchor go until the 10th fish was landed, certain evidence of proper positioning. Patrick and Eamon landed an astounding 14 salmon at Blind Man’s Point which, added to the rest of the fish taken that day, totaled of 24 salmon.
Ryabaga is now closed to fishing for three weeks. We will give the river a rest, put a fresh “coat of paint” on various areas of the camp, and prepare for what is sure to be an excellent fall run of Ponoi salmon. Fifteen of us remain in camp. We are building, sanding, scraping, painting, constructing, mending, erecting, tuning, polishing, shining and waxing our summer home in the wilderness. Some of the projects underway are the finalization of the new banya, and the installation of a brand new floor in the Big Tent. It is always a great opportunity for us to polish up the entire Ryabaga machine, to ensure that visiting anglers always see the camp and the river at their level best.
The first half of the season has been wonderful, owing to great guests, cagey and diligent guides, and a river system that simply cannot be matched. I am grateful for this break to reflect on the beauty of this place, and the kindness of the friends I’ve made, both among co-workers, and among visiting anglers. And incidentally, I might just take these few weeks to indulge in a little fishing of my own…
Sincerely,
Matt Breuer
July 4, 2010
Summer Run Record in Ryabaga?
Greetings and Happy 4th of July to those of you from the United States of America. We have just rounded out the 6th week of the 2010 season with 16 anglers from South Africa, Scotland, Australia, Belgium, France, Canada, and the United States.
Weather conditions above the Arctic Circle, even in summer, can be tumultuous to say the least. Though temperatures remained comfortable we did have an interesting mix of wind, rain, even a thunder storm. In Russia there is an old adage: “Net plokhoi pagody, est plokhaya odezhda.” Translation: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Again, steady north winds attempted to hamper nearly three days of our week’s fishing, and though showers wetted our caps, rain did not prevent Geoffrey Mitchell from taking a magnificent hen fish of 24 pounds from the Purnache beat. What’s more, this fish was likely the biggest summer run fish ever caught on Ponoi. Her size suggests that she is a three sea-winter fish. The presence of such a fine summer run fish triggered great curiosity about the event on the whole. Consultation with Dr. Sergey Prusov of “PINRO” (Knipovitch Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography), a former long-time Ryabaga guide, indicates that indeed it is very unlikely that this fish has spawned before, as evidenced by the lack of deep coloration about the head and gill plates. Another notable fish was that taken by Jonathan Aberdein, who landed a 20 pound salmon, the biggest of his storied angling career. Not bad for a young man of only 12 years.
Tomba and Gold Beach were the top producers this last week, and anglers tallied a week-long average of nearly 31 fish landed, with a total closing on 450 fish, and notably larger summer run fish are appearing in the system. The river is at prime level and temperature. Locating the perfect velocity holding water is easily achieved in virtually all areas of the river. Points, seams, rapid heads and tails, riffles, oily water, and windows are all holding salmon. Recent wind events throughout the watershed have the tended to ‘turn over’ the lakes at the headwaters of Ponoi, creating to cloudy water in the river. It is supposed that Ponoi salmon find it more difficult to “breathe” under these conditions and as a result need more coaxing to take a fly. In this case it is advisable to fish a bit deeper, with larger and more brightly colored flies. Several anglers in the week used single-handed rods, notably Serge Dompierre, who casts a single-handed rod with the energy, stamina, and accuracy of most 20-something fly-rodders. Serge never let up for a second, especially the afternoon where his fish count fell behind that of his partner, Louise (nice fishing, Louise).
It was my great pleasure to guide Hugo Marechal. I first guided Hugo on the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego several years ago, and it seems we are now engaged in a tradition of fishing together one day a year. Hugo is the type of meticulous and thorough angler I truly enjoy fishing with. He and I picked apart the Alexaevsky beat under moderate wind conditions. Our efforts were not hindered as his persistence and patience with the spey rod paid off, and he succeeded in ‘snake-rolling’ from both sides of the boat to complete another successful day on Ponoi.
Sebastian Hope joined us this last week in Ryabaga. Sebastian is the author of Hotel Tiberias, the tale of his family’s storied ownership of a hotel located on the Sea of Galilee in the early part of the 20th century. Sebastian has written widely about his adventures, and will relate his love of travel and fishing in an article about his week in Ryabaga, slated for publication in the Financial Times. We look forward to re-living Sebastian’s Ponoi experience when the article makes its way to print.
All in all, this week was a standout for us at Ryabaga, most notably due to the presence of Geoffrey’s big salmon, but also due to the fine fishing found throughout the river. Though the sun does not always shine over Ponoi, it seems to always shine over Ponoi’s salmon, which proved eager and hard-fighting throughout the river this week. We look forward to the coming weeks, the pleasure of new guests and new friends, and the lingering possibility that in days to come, another record-breaker might be brought to net by a Ryabaga angler.
All The Best,
Matt Breuer
June 28, 2010
Exciting News: Summer Run fish are running strong and big!!!
Purnache beat produced a beautiful, 24 pound multiple-sea-winter, summer run fish, please check photos on the right. Fish like this are truly the fish of a lifetime. Congratulations to Geoffrey and Daniela Podolski!!!
June 27, 2010
More Summer Run Salmon
This week at Ryabaga, anglers saw the Ponoi continue the slow drop that moves the river into summer, and though heavy winds persisted, and two day’s efforts were dampened by colored water, the spirits of our guests remained strong. This discoloration of the river appears and disappears quickly, and though it can prove a bit unnerving, it never puts the fishing off completely. Indeed, a number of fine fish were taken this week, and all anglers were impressed by the quality of their sessions in various beats, though Gold Beach seemed to be a consistent provider, with Falls Creek, Upper Tomba, and Clough Creek not far behind. Ryabaga anglers averaged near 35 fish per rod for the week, with many more summer run fish than in the previous week. Nearly 500 salmon were taken overall. The shooting head craze is continuing to spread like wildfire. Many traditional spey line fishers are finding the distance and castability achieved with the use of boat-equipped spare rods, all outfitted with new Rio AFS shooting heads, to be astounding, and many are making the switch to these shorter, more user-friendly lines. Hot flies this week included Shumikov tubes and Max’s commissioned beauties from a local tyer in St. Petersburg.
All were pleased to notice that though the mosquitoes have begun to appear, they have yet to prove much of a distraction. As summer descends, we find ourselves at the point in the season when the weather is often quite warm. A cool rain shower no longer threatens to soaks one’s fingers to the point of useless numbness, as often occurs in late May or early October, but rather ensures a healthy water level that is the road home for the salmon. River level, after all, ensures the successful passage of Ponoi’s summer and fall runs of salmon. It is the summer run salmon, those currently in the system, that are destined to spawn this fall, giving rise to future stocks of hard-fighting Ponoi fish, and securing the enjoyment of generations of Ryabaga anglers.
It was our pleasure this week to host Jim and Paddy Rossbach. These two certainly know their fishing… from countless trips to all areas of the Rio Grande in Argentina to many weeks spent on Ponoi, their keenness for big sea-run fish never ebbs. Though the pair has experienced some fine weeks at Ryabaga, Jim will not likely forget this year’s tally of 52 fish for the week. Off the water, Jim kindly acted as dealer on two evening’s Texas Hold ‘Em tourneys. He’s obviously spent some time at the poker table, as he’s well schooled in the card shark’s rhetoric. Onlookers throughout the Big Tent were glued to the action as if it were the world series of Poker. Our own Big Dan threatened his favor as he slowly whittled down 3 members of the Amero family.
Though new to Ryabaga, it is clear that the Amero quartet has the Ponoi bug firmly planted. Scott and his father, brother and son spent their first week ever in Ryabaga, and they clearly had a ball from the poker table to the bar, the home pool and the river. Scott was top rod, landing 53 fish for the week, though his efforts were admirably rivaled by Jerry, who incidentally did not attend the poker tourney, as he had to rest from thousands of cast made through the day and on into the evening in the home pool. We look forward to the return of the Amero clan.
Len Smith has made somewhere in the area of 35 trips to Ryabaga. It is always a pleasure to have Len around… such a straight shooter I never have to wonder where I stand in Len’s book (thanks for that, Len). We cannot wait to see you for the Autumn run. We were further impressed by the angling feats of our two Russian guests, Vadim Gomzyakov and Marina Muchinskaya. All enjoyed the lovely cold smoked salmon that head guide Max provided. And who could forget Richard Mellish and Peter Ryan, who had the distinct pleasure of putting in 2 weeks on Ponoi. Those lucky devils certainly collected memories to last a lifetime.
So on goes the season, and the River continues to look lovely. It is weeks such as this that remind me how wonderful life at Ryabaga can be, not only because of the quality of the fishing… it is those nights around camp where friendships are built and stories are shared, all over a few drinks and a game of cards. That is what makes this place so special… then again, all those salmon might have something to do with it too!
Until Next Week,
Matt Breuer
June 20, 2010
First Summer Run Salmon Arrive!
It is the pleasure of a fisherman to arrange his calendar according to the changing seasons as they relate to angling. In my native New England, changes in the season correlate with certain mayfly hatches, runs of spawning trout, or with those times when the flesh of cold-water fish is at it’s sweetest. Here at Ryabaga, nothing quite denotes the onset of the finest summer fishing more than the arrival of the first summer-run fish.
Nearly a week ahead of schedule, anglers at Ryabaga have begun catching summer-run salmon. Many of these salmon have arrived in Ponoi with sea lice still clinging to their flanks, and as sea lice perish quickly in a freshwater environment, we can only assume that these first-run fish are moving up from the White Sea with blistering speed. As for the timing, it seems that the trend for the 2010 season is ‘early’; an early ice-out, followed by a rapid drop in the river to prime fishing level, and now, only week 4, the first summer-run salmon have arrived, eager to ascend the river as they position themselves for the autumn spawn.
The changing season, and certainly the arrival of these summer fish, cannot, however, ensure the incidence of fine summer weather. As far north as we are, conditions are mercurial at best, and it should come as no surprise to the travelling angler that mother nature can proffer the full spectrum of weather conditions, particularly on the remote reaches of the mighty Ponoi. Sloppy conditions were indeed the case on Sunday, the first day of angling Week 4 in Ryabaga. Wind, rain, and cold temperatures attempted to stifle the fervent efforts of our freshly-arrived anglers. Though dreary weather loomed, the team managed nearly 100 salmon for the first day, not a bad tally for what proved the lowest number day of the week. The rest of the week produced fantastic weather and fishing conditions, and the Ponoi held at a perfect rate of flow and level for the use of floating lines and medium-sized double flies. Anglers keen to catch Atlantic salmon with hitched plastic tubes or dry flies found success this last week. Salmon landed for the week totaled 753. Nearly twenty fish over fifteen pounds were taken, and the Kolmac and Tomba beats both fished beautifully. Moreover, the ‘quality’ of the fish taken was superb. These first summer-run fish, even the smaller of the lot, can really get the reels screaming, and many of the week’s sports were impressed by the sheer bravado of the fish taken.
Anglers from Scotland to New Zealand, Latvia to England, the USA to South Africa, combined to compose a pleasant group for our fourth week of the season, 2010. Notable as well were the group of lady fishers that completed the group. As Doreen Douglas put it, “Matt, what will you do when we ‘wags’ have gone?” Well Doreen, I don’t know if I will make it to next year without you and your troupe contributing to a very pleasant air about camp. It was my further pleasure to see that, with the World Cup raging in South Africa, anglers from our represented nations were able to find common ground both on the river and in camp… incidentally, the US side is making a fine showing, is it not?
With week five upon us, the River could not be looking better, and I am encouraged to think that this season at Ryabaga might be one to remember. For those who shared week four with us, it was indeed a pleasure, and for those who have yet to arrive, grease your reels and get your fish-fighting muscles loose… you are in for a treat!
Sincerely,
Matt Breuer
June 13, 2010The Green Bandana:
It seemed that Paul Styles was “green with envy” over the fact that Hugh Curry had enjoyed such success with sizeable fish by day four. Hugh started the week with a 19 pounder in Lower Tomba with Tommy Sordelli on Sunday, and he did not let up - each day Hugh had one or two fish over 15 pounds: two at 18, 3 at 16, a 15, a 14… incredible salmon fishing, no question. And Paul knew it. “Getting old is a real drag,” lamented Paul. It was Thursday night. We were all seated at the table, sipping Russian Standard, Gold Label; Hugh maintained that the taste is much smoother than that of Russian Standard, Original Label, though the others could not tell the difference. As I sat across from Paul, I was amused by the ongoing rhetoric regarding his envy of Hugh’s undying luck.
Paul raised his head in query, wondering about the official American-Canadian-English name for the paisley-patterned green cloth that adorned Hugh’s neck. With great confidence and pride Hugh educated Paul and the other attentive anglers within earshot that the garment was in fact called a “bandana.” As Hugh maintained, since the days of the American cowboy this small, yet useful, piece of cloth has been the salvation of many an outdoorsman. Bandanas, worn about the neck and face, have hidden the identity of cattle rustlers, have shielded the adventurer from the ravages of cold and sun, have soaked the sweat of many a weary traveler. Bandanas have been used, in a pinch, to sling wounded limbs, to sling stones in combat (as in David and Goliath), and to clean the barrels of a shotgun. And for many, the bandana has been worn as a stylish talisman, a totem of good luck. Though Paul’s inquiry was one meant for sake of conversation and light ribbing, it did seem as though Paul had reached the point in his week’s fishing that he was willing to do whatever it took to tie into a larger fish. He seemed to be acquiring a belief in superstition. I asked Paul if he would like a green bandana of his own. He nodded with some reluctance and hesitation. I popped up, stormed to my room, and appeared back at the table with a bandana identical to that of Hugh’s. I stood behind Paul and secured the bandana around his neck, just as my father did when he taught me to tie a Windsor knot. Once the bandana was in place Paul let out quite a loud, “yeeee-haaaww.” Several other cowboy references and jokes were passed, though I could see in Paul’s face that he was quite proud of his new accessory. The next day, Friday, as Paul turned up from his final day of fishing he was quite pleased to report that there might indeed be something magical about the green bandana; he had taken a 20 pound salmon, his largest Atlantic salmon to date.
Week 3, 2010 was indeed a great success with nearly 800 salmon landed, including two of 20 pounds. The variety of technique used last week was broad; many salmon were taken with the use of the S4 shooting heads and large tubes (ie. the Snaelda) in the colors of the German flag, fished deep – this method was a terrific producer. For those who didn’t prefer to fish sinking lines, smaller flies and floating lines were quite successful as well. Fishing on the surface with floating lines and small-ish “hitched” plastic tubes or dry flies skated through the swing was another technique that saw very favorable results. The most popular line used last week was the floating shooting head with a ten foot, medium sink poly-leader. The river is dropping steadily and there is more and more opportunity to fish lighter and closer to the surface. For near-surface work, some longer profiled “long-tailed” doubles worked fine (ie. Long-tailed green Highlander, Cascade, etc). Much of the week was quite cool and windy, though weather did not hamper the spirit and effort of our anglers from Quebec, France, Japan, the UK, the USA, and Russia. Memories of the week abound, from the culinary artistry of Francois Brocard, who produced a delicious salmon dish drizzled with a warm sauce of mustard, black tea, and butter, to the spirit and humor of our French-Canadian fishers, to the late nights sipping cognac by the fire with Sergei Alexeev and his friends. The spirit for which Ryabaga is known was steady and strong this past week. Head Guide, Max Mamaev joined the rotation mid-week, as he has been recovering from an ankle sprain sustained two weeks ago while searching for a frog in the pond outside the banya. Dubbed “Hop-a-long” by Ian Irvine, Max was much too eager to be held in camp any longer.
Ian Irvine’s thoughtful reflection about the great opportunity of fishing for salmon in Ryabaga gave everyone pause… Ian’s orations are always carefully articulated, and masterfully amusing. Ian spoke of the professionalism of the guides, the meticulousness of the house staff, and the engineer-ability of the mechanics. Especially noteworthy, however, was how he spoke of the strength of the Kitchen Staff this year, how the food is as good as it has ever been, and how Natasha and her team are able to accommodate even the trickiest of dietary needs. Thank you, Ian; we look forward to fishing with you, and indeed with each of our Week 3 guests, in the future. It was, to say the least, a memorable week!
Best,
Matt Breuer and the Ryabaga Crew
June 6th, 2010
An outstanding first week in Ryabaga:
Our first anglers were a keen group from the UK and Russia. The Mi8 rotor had hardly come to a stand-still before Dominic Quinlan had landed the first salmon of the season, taken in Home Pool. Notable as well is the fact that Dominic may in fact land the last fish of the season, as he will join us for the week of September 25 –October 2, 2010. Steffan Jones joined us from the UK branch of Frontiers International. Steffan and I first fished together in Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina, on the Rio Grande. He has an insatiable appetite for catching salmon and sea trout, and it is evident in his enthusiasm and skill. I am sure he is equally as single-minded when it comes to recruiting salmon anglers for the future seasons at Ryabaga. Thank you Steffan!
Howard Strowman proved once again to be an incredibly vibrant, active, and humorous member of the group. The staff were covetous of his quiver of electronics; everything from an “IPad” interactive racecar driving game to a state of the art digital, head-mounted HD video camera. Howard and son Max contributed greatly to the salmon count for the week. Max took fish of seventeen and sixteen pounds respectively. I understand that Howard worked very hard at beating his personal record of 150 fish landed for the week, and I’m certain we shall see him next year to reattempt this goal… good luck Howard.
And then there were Victor and his friends… Victor and Sasha ventured downriver into the waters of Lapanyarka and Brevyeni to make the first casts of the season in the lower river. Wonderfully, they encountered very good fishing and many fine salmon in the turbulent water. This experience marked the first run of the Hovercraft this year. Our Hovercraft, or ACV (air cushion vehicle), is unique in that it is a watercraft supported by a cushion of high-pressure air inside a “skirt.” The Hovercraft is unique in its ability to carry anglers to otherwise inaccessible parts of the river system, though the vehicle’s wilderness service makes access to parts and critical maintenance complex. Sergei Zhurin has spent countless hours repairing and replacing systems of the craft to ensure safe and reliable use throughout the season.
At Ryabaga Camp, May 29 to June 5, 2010, the total of salmon landed for the week was 903. Of these, several dozen fish weighed in the high teens. The weather conditions were quite favorable as cool mornings turned into easy days with little wind and rain. The river continued to drop, and water levels were as low as late June levels last year – all in all, the river is in very fine shape. It seems the number of kelts in the system is far lower than in previous years; this is likely due to the record high river level we experienced at ice-out. Water levels reached waist -deep inside our engine storage container, meters above the ordinary riverbank.
All tolled, the first week Ryabaga was one for the books; guests and guides were impressed with both the number and quality of fish caught, and the general feeling about camp was one of great excitement. As we move into the coming week, it is exciting to consider the number of old friends who will be joining us in camp. Perhaps more exciting, however, is the thought of introducing new anglers to this tremendous fishery. The coming months promise more and bigger fish to be enjoyed by all who are lucky enough to join us in Ryabaga. Until we meet on the water, take care!
Sincerely,
Matt Breuer and the PRC Team
May 24, 2010
Can you imagine the feel of the first pull?
I can imagine the feel of the first tug as I trudge down toward the river with Max. As we speak, my mind wanders away from our conversation, and I find myself daydreaming of that familiar feeling, the long-awaited pull of the season’s first salmon. I quickly snap out of it as I realize that Max is talking to me about early-season salmon fishing on Ponoi, a subject that he is truly an expert on. He explains how the first few fish he landed, two nights before, he took with a full-sink shooting head, and how he is now determined to take a salmon closer to the surface. He adds that, in his view, the water speed and level are such that surface fishing might not be such a peculiar idea.
Max turns the key on the 40 hp Mercury jet drive, and the smell of two stroke exhaust fills my nostrils. We back out of the boat ramp at Ryabaga, as the moorage has not yet been secured in place for the season. Max turns open the throttle on an upriver course. We run for a minute or two and then abruptly power down. I turn back to see Max waving his hand at me, as he has the idea sooner than the words, he shouts over the rumble of the cylinders and flywheel,
“Matt you drive, I want to change lines on one rod.”
I quickly take position and apply power, motoring ahead, full-steam toward the mouth of the Purnache River. Max spools his entire shooting head off the reel and out through the end of the rod into the river behind the powerful wash of the Mercury engine. He then extracts a full floating head from his pocket fixed with a fast-sink, 10-foot leader. Once the line is looped in place and wound back on the reel he threads the 20lb Maxima leader material through the head of one of his beautiful orange and yellow tube flies. The fly is thoughtfully crafted, with a bit of palmered hackle in front of the cone-head and a long tail of bucktail and stripped hackle stalks. The fly looks to be one part traditional salmon tube, one part Hakan Norling influence, and one part Max-Mamaev-deadly-effective. The salmon hook is a size 8 Michael Frodin Salar Double, a hook Max describes as one that seldom “lets go.”
We approach the bank, river right, anchor the boat and take up our rods. Max tells me to move downstream, allowing him adequate space to begin fishing behind me. As I strip line from my reel and prepare to make my first cast I turn to look upstream… Max is standing on the stern deck of the boat, his salmon rod fully flexed and a salmon taking line. Max never ceases to amaze; he is truly a professional angler and guide. It is not long before I pull myself together enough to get my fly just 5 or 6 meters into the current, just into the glide where the salmon surely lay off the drop of the bank. I am receiving little plucks and takes, probably from grayling, trout, and sea trout. A few more casts and I have the distinctive feel of that first good salmon take, where line is pulled through my rod hand’s index and middle fingers, and just as quickly the fish is off and the line goes limp. I know that my next pull will hold. Max shouts down to me that he is going to try a dry fly. I know this will work, not because I know the conditions, or because I know these fish, but because I know Max. Once he has changed tips and flies, he is back in the water and I hear, close behind me, the noise of boils and slashes, followed by Max’s cheers, and curses at fish that have offered but have not taken hold. I begin to feel that expectation that hums inside every angler: When am I going to connect? I patiently press on, varying my technique from a slow retrieve to an erratic strip to just letting the fly swing in the current. I then make another long straight cast well into the current. The fly begins to swing, I mend downstream to give the fly a bit more velocity and angle. Just as I am about to strip in for the next cast I connect. The take is such that I have no time to react, I just come tight with a raise of the rod and the fish begins taking line. After a moderate fight Max winds in to come take a look at what I have at my knees in the water in front of me. We admire the beautiful cock fish, snap a picture to submit to the higher-ups as proof of our pre-season test-fishing efforts, and release him so that he may procreate this autumn.
In my mind I think I can imagine the first pull, but after I release my first Ponoi salmon, I know that nothing can quite compare to the real thing!
Matt Breuer
Current Conditions in Ryabaga:
Date: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Time: 1300 local time
Snow Pack (in RYA): No Snow
Temperature: 20 celsius
Skies: Clear and Sunny
River Condition: Free Flowing
The Ryabaga mechanic team departed on May 11 for camp. Upon arrival Sergei Zhurin reported significantly less snow than last year, and broken ice floes gliding freely along the banks of the swollen Ponoi. This bodes well for our first spring week, beginning on May 29.
Murmansk has been enjoying sunny days with temperatures reaching the low to mid twenties, Celsius. Unseasonably warm temperatures give cause for the local citizenry to turn up at day’s end in the streets, sipping from cold bottles of beer, driving around without a bit of glass between their vehicles and the balmy outside air. This vision throughout Murmansk gives us the strong feeling that we will soon experience the sensation of Ponoi salmon at the end of our lines… Just as the winter was fierce, spring has sprung a bit earlier than average.
It is impossible to ignore the sun, blue skies, and warm temperatures any longer.
See you on May 29!!
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Operations Manager
March 30th, 2010.
Spring is rapidly approaching ...
As I sit here at my desk in Montpelier, Vermont, it is hard to suppress the agony of a fishless winter. I miss the days when I'd wade the Ponoi, stripping line from my reel, letting fly with the big 13 footer to swing a long cast through the current. In my memory, a red cone head "flamethrower" turns over, sinks gently, and twitches to life as the current takes the line. I am sure to raise a salmon from the dark water. It occurs to me on these winter mornings how powerful my Ponoi memories are, and how they differ from the memories of my home rivers of Vermont. The swing of a fly through the Ponoi's cold water carries with it unlimited possibility, the hope of a bright salmon on the take. Far different was my optimism as I waded my local Winooski river in March, knowing, as I slapped the ice from my guides, that I'd be hard pressed to stir one of the trout that hung at the riverbed. Nor was I blind to the irony that no salmon would see my swung streamer, as the Winooski had long been dammed, and the native salmon who'd navigated her waters had disappeared into distant memory.
I must admit that these daydreams of the Ponoi threaten to keep me from the array of responsibilities that make the coming season possible. This winter I've been moving at "full-tilt-boogy", juggling the demands of phone calls, e-mails, packing, shipping, coordinating, and speculating that, in the end, allow me to spend my summer months in the finest salmon fishery in the world. Nonetheless, as I stand at the brink of embarking on my second season as Ryabaga Camp Manager, I am barely able to suppress my excitement. The Kola beckons me, and deep in my heart I cannot wait to get back to Russia.
Preparations in Murmansk have been underway since the close of the 2009 season. Steve, Sveta, Sasha, Julia, Sergei, Peter, Olga and Natasha have all been continuously communicating through various modalities; phone, skype, e-mail, IM, and so on, coordinating the acquisition of fuel, food, supplies, employees, work visas, and on and on. The efforts of this team will ensure that not one detail is overlooked.
Living and working in Murmansk is not without its challenges. The commute to work in this city, above the arctic circle, is not easy during the dead of winter. Darkness consumes the midwinter, and only in late March does the prospect of another spring rise above the horizon. Temperatures reach levels that freeze un-covered skin, and in order to walk or drive outdoors it is compulsory to dig, push, pull, shovel, and tunnel through the frozen city. The 2010 winter was no exception, and Murmansk was buried under a colossal amount of snow, purportedly one of the heaviest snowfalls since the late 1800's!!
As preparations for the season buzz back and forth between the US and Russia, the Ponoi creeps quietly through another winter. Sergei Zhurin journeyed to Ryabaga on March 6 (check the pics on our photo gallery) traveling in a post WWII armored vehicle over some 400 kilometers of frozen tundra to deliver fuel to the camp. Upon arrival to Ryabaga he found a squinty-eyed Orehov (the winter caretaker) and his friendly canine companions, who have meticulously cared for and protected Ryabaga from all that a Russian winter at the end of the Kola may dole out.
Soon, Northern Russia will shake itself free of ice, and the water of the Ponoi will again whisper promises of salmon. The Ryabaga crew is ready to convene once again. From Argentina and Murmansk, the USA and Denmark, St. Petersburg and Umba, Moscow and Krashnochelye, Lovozero and Appaitity, these men and women are all eagerly awaiting the end of May when they will shovel off the paths, dig out tent platforms, run water pipes, un-board buildings, raise the "big" tent, stoke the sauna, and completely prepare Ryabaga for what promises to be another great season of salmon fishing on Ponoi. We fully intend to make the 2010 season at Ryabaga one for the record books.
All the best,
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
October 12, 2009
Another end to a great season!
What a season it has been at Ponoi Ryabaga Camp! With 2008 being an exceptional season we knew we had to work hard to raise our standards for 2009, and we did!
The world turmoil turned this season into one of the most challenging seasons we have had since 2001 just after the 9/11 events. We knew what we were facing and we reacted accordingly, in full cooperation with Frontiers, listening to every guest expectations.
The new season brought along new blood to Ryabaga Camp. Matthew Breuer from the US took the role of Camp Manager together with Annie Binning also from the US, as his right hand. The new members had a challenging position and a hard learning curve, but all this was made easier by the time and dedication put in to this process by PRC Senior Advisor, Tarquin Millington Drake. Both Matt and Annie were great additions to the already excellent existing team; both of their performances have been outstanding since they set foot in camp.
With a mild winter the fishing kicked off steady and strong, nice temperatures and good river height made things look great. June came along with lots of well-known Ponoi friends and with them big numbers. The 900+ fish a week was right up to Ponoi’s reputation.
Days became longer and temperatures started rising to welcome our strong summer
run. At this time our guests could enjoy catching lots of fish but also fresh sea lice fish.
Camp was very busy and things were going well.
In order to bring Ryabaga to the next level of service we needed to upgrade some of our facilities and this was accomplished during late July and early August. A newly renovated kitchen, storage and washing area were completed and ready by the time guests started arriving again in August. The staff and guests alike enjoyed the new facilities for the rest of the season. Head Chef Denis Dmitrovsky and his outstanding kitchen staff especially enjoyed creating their fantastic meals in the renovated kitchen. River tents were upgraded with wooden floors and stairs to make it easier to access. Ryabaga buildings went through a full renovation and facelift, staff facilities to serve the Guest House were completed and the foundation for the new sauna “Russian Banya” started.
August is always exciting and anxiously awaited; this is the time when our fall run makes it to the river. In 2009 we promoted a week to bring new guests to the sport and to enjoy the privilege of landing an Atlantic Salmon. The Salmon Academy Week was a big success and we believe we have created some crazy-keen Salmon fishermen. We are delighted to be able to run it again in 2010. Late August was the time for the big ones to show up and they did not disappoint! Our big fish guide Sergey Bistrov netted a chrome 28 lbs, and many others followed the lead and pushed the scale to 25, 22 and several other times over 20. The season ended with excellent fishing, good weather conditions and fresh fish running strong. Even on the last hours of the season, 17, 18 and 21 pound fresh fish were landed just minutes from camp.
Many weeks, many speeches from our new and old Ponoi friends, rotations, fires and reports went by and the time came again for the 2009 season to come to a close. But most importantly many enjoyable moments with friends were had, and isn’t this the real meaning of a fishing trip? It is now time to let our fish rest, recover and make more fish for 2010.
I would like to give special thanks to all members of the Ponoi family, friends, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands, sons, daughters, Ilya Sherbovich for his permanent guidance, all of our Murmansk office staff, Sveta, Olga, Natasha, Julia, Peter and Sasha, without whom this successful season would have not been possible. Thank you to all Frontiers staff, UK and US offices and to everyone that supports us in this lifestyle we have chosen, and for allowing us to enjoy the best job in the world. I would also like to thank all of our loyal and devoted guests for their unconditional support. Thank you.
My very best to all of you and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2010,
Steve Estela.
PRC CEO
October 11, 2009
UNTIL 2010…
I have had the good fortune of working in a few of the finest fishing camps in the world and Ryabaga Camp is no exception. In fact, I feel as though I have reached the top in my career in the fly fishing industry. My first season at Ponoi has been a blur of fervent activity. From the time I arrived in camp mid-May to the last days of my time there on the 7th of October, I have learned an enormous amount about how duties are carried out in this salmon camp above the Arctic Circle. Taking the reins of this team was not an easy task… being charged with leading a staff that has devoted their lives to the production of this pursuit of salmon, one might think it can run itself. I continue to be impressed with the staff of Ryabaga who are all so motivated to produce the best results possible in any task they tackle; whether running a saw mill, tending bar, repairing cylinders on an outboard, refurbishing a refueling station, preparing a guest’s tent, setting a table, cleaning a fish and preparing a shore lunch, or producing a meal for more than 50 people, the list goes on and on. These staff members of Ryabaga obviously understand what it means to put their best foot forward and take on a job without hesitation. The infrastructure required to produce the quality of experience had by guests of PRC is almost unfathomable. The PRC team is a veritable army of people all working to continue the traditions built here on the right bank of the Ponoi River, just below the Ryabaga –The finest Atlantic salmon camp in the world.
One very crucial branch of the Ponoi River Co. must be recognized. The crew who work “behind the scenes” –these are the people who contribute so much of their workday lives to ensure that every aspect of Ponoi’s Ryabaga Camp is properly booked, staffed, equipped, outfitted, accounted for, managed, and working like the well-oiled machine that indeed it is. In the Murmansk office there are two key fellows whose responsibilities are to supply Ryabaga with an inordinate amount of supplies. Sasha and Peter receive an order from the camp every Sunday by midday. They then begin the task of assembling some 4000 different items compiled on the Ryabaga order form. By Thursday, every item is purchased, counted out, packaged, moved and loaded onto the MI8 helicopter in Lovozoro, then delivered to Ryabaga by 1900 hrs on Thursday evening. Their work is monumental, without their organization and diligence Ryabaga would not work the way it does. Other very important positions in our Murmansk office are that of Olga our chief accountant, Julia our very prudent office administrator, and Natasha equally detail oriented in the production of permits, licenses, visas, and other mandatory documentation. Thank you all very much for all the hard work you do.
CEO and Managing Director Steve Estela watches over the entire team. His some 15 years experience in the industry, infallible ability to track information and details, and exceptional interest in Ponoi River Company’s success, makes him the perfect match for his position. General Director, Sveta Kudrina, is a tireless force in Murmansk, her duties never seem to end as she coordinates a seemingly insurmountable amount of details bridging the gap between Russian and western relationships involved with the many aspects of running such an intricate operation. Rest assured if there is a mistake somewhere, Sveta would find it. On behalf of the entire team here at Ryabaga, I would like to thank you both very much for your hard work and support.
For those of you who have followed along this season we wish you good fishing wherever you choose to cast your fly for sport fishes. It is now time to say goodbye to another amazing season on the Ponoi. Cheers, and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
September 27, 2009
Week 18 September 19 - 26, 2009
LAST WEEK of 2009 SEASON
Ryabaga Camp was enjoyed by Ponoi River Co. owner Ilya Sherbovich and a group of Ponoi friends from Russia, the UK and the USA. The group enjoyed every aspect of our magical corner of the Kola Peninsula. In addition to salmon fishing they enjoyed mushroom, and berry picking, long lunches and even wildlife viewing. A few of the guests even spotted a brown bear crossing the mouth of the Purnache River. We also witnessed a bull moose foraging on speckled alder bark, and our friend vulpes, vulpes (the red fox) searching the territory for any small fur-bearing morsel. While all these critters prepared for winter, we enjoyed unseasonably warm weather adding further to our enjoyment of this untrammeled river. Sergei Zhurin piloted our hovercraft with several anglers who opted to give the spey rod a rest for the day. To the White Sea they ventured for an expedition exploring historical sites along the Ponoi. They visited the Ponoi Village cemetery and museum of collected artifacts of Alex Niederezov, our village caretaker. The crew then ventured another 14 km to the confluence of the Ponoi and the White Sea, truly a sight to behold.
The success of the fishing this week raises the question: Should we add another week to the season? Michael Cohrs fished 4 hours on Wednesday, all day Thursday and Friday, and 3 hours on Saturday, to bring 35 fish to the boat, masterfully demonstrating to the Russian anglers just how it is done. Michael's Friday fishing session was with Steve Estela, PRC CEO and Managing Director. They tied with 17 bright fish each for the day, and an overall score of 34 fish on the 25th of September. One hundred percent of these fish were fall run fish, many having sea lice, remarkable to say the least. Very strong fishing lasted to the very end. In the last hours of the week on Saturday morning, Peter Fedorov caught and released a 21 pound cock fish, his partner Sergei also landed a beauty of a salmon weighing in at 17 pounds. Earlier in the week, Katya and Dima Chekalkin both landed phenomenal fish each, Dima with a 21 pound cock and Katya an 18 pound fish. Our commander in chief, Ilya, fulfilled a longtime dream of landing a nice fall run fish in late September on a floating line and a dry fly. He accomplished this by landing a 13 pound salmon. Over the course of this week 14 anglers collectively landed nearly 60 fish in the 13 - 18 pound range. This is as fantastic as Atlantic salmon fishing can get. No angler will find the amount of fresh fish of such great size this late in the season, on any other river in the world.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
September 20, 2009
Week 17 September 12 - 19, 2009
THE GRAND FINALE
Well, the Ponoi has done it again! John MacMillan of the USA landed his personal best Ponoi Salmon on September 17, 2009. The fish took John's very own, hand tied "Gary Dog," a predominately orange patterned fly tied on a 1.5 inch brass tube. The 25 pound fresh autumn run cock fish took the fly in a depth of water not more than two feet, made several blistering runs, and never broke the surface of the water until it was lifted to the net of guide Koyla Balyaev. This is, yet one more fresh fish exceeding 21 lbs over the course of the 2009 season. Is Ponoi harboring the genetics of more and more of these large Atlantic Salmon?
John took the reins during our Friday night recognition of gratitude of our diligent staff. His kind words paid homage to the efforts of the kitchen, mechanic team, pilots and guides. He then proceeded to tell us of the importance of the entire experience our guests have, not just caching fish. As easily as his perspective on the matter may have been skewed by his recent extraordinary catch, I believe that his more than 23 trips to the Ponoi gives him the right to take a stand on any issue dealing with salmon fishing, be it technique, theory, or numbers. Thank you very much for your perspective John. You truly are a salmon fisher of note.
One of the many favorite guests of Ryabaga is a man called Ian Irvine. This week was Ian's second week at Ryabaga this season. I met Ian in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina several years ago, and since have quietly been amused by his personal rule in regard to his fishing preferences he festooned upon me in his quiet english accent, those years ago. "Matt, my rule is simple: Each of the elements begins with the letter ‘W', they are as follows, I don't like walking, I don't like wading, and I don't like wind." Much to my chagrin, this week I had to pull over in the Hallway beat, on my return from a trip upriver, to see if my eyes were deceiving me. What I thought I had seen was Mr. Irvine wading over his knees in water. I hadn't yet set the anchor when Ian had tied into a salmon... so I suppose there are exceptions to the rules. For some reason the Ponoi has a reputation as an unfriendly wading river, when in fact the river level at this time is very good for wading many places such as the famous Tomba Beach, Hourglass Beach, Gold Beach, etc. There are also numerous shallow bars, shoals, and islands existing mid river, with small gravel that are very suitable for wade fishing. Many fish have been taken in the weeks past while wading the Ponoi.
Ryabaga Camp was pleased to welcome back Senior Advisor, Tarquin Millington-Drake. This week Tarquin hosted a group of long-time clients of Frontiers and Ryabaga Camp. These are guests who enjoy fishing the Ponoi year after year, summer and autumn, for salmon fishing that is unmatched by any other river in the world. His work in Frontier's UK office has been very influential in reserving the majority of rods fished here at Ryabaga with Ponoi River Co. I would like to thank Tarquin, Mollie Fitzgerald, Mr. Cooper, Mark Hewetson-Brown, Justin Staal, and all of the other staff in Frontier's US and UK offices, for all the work they produce at Frontiers. All of us here at Ryabaga are indebted to the exceptional service you bestow upon our guests. This past week marked the final week of Frontier's clientele for 2009, in Ryabaga - we all look forward to the next season. Members of the Ryabaga team also bid a sad farewell to Annie Binning, our Assistant Manager. Annie did an excellent job working with the camp staff in the production of all aspects of the Ryabaga program - Thank you Annie!
The standings for Week 17 are as follows: 532 Salmon landed, 332 autumn run fish, average of 27 fish per rod. The first three days were quite difficult, attributed to high winds toward the end of the previous week. As a result we experienced murky waters and troublesome fishing. As the river cleared over the middle of Week 17, our catches for the last three days exceeded 100 fish per day. What a high note on which to finish the week!
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
September 13, 2009
Week 16, September 5-September 12, 2009
PONOI LEGENDS ARRIVE
Ryabaga Camp had the good fortune of welcoming many old friends this week. Len Smith of Scotland and Jane Stewart of England have fished Ryabaga since the beginning, it is a pleasure to host these two vivacious anglers for two consecutive weeks. Paul Davidson was back for a second week as well. Evidently Paul’s salmon fishing does not stop with just an early summer week on the Ponoi. It takes some fall run silver to quench his piscatorial thirst. Giles Chapman and father Robert might possibly be the most gracious duo I have encountered in all my years in the industry. I suppose the extra birthday party may have been a contributing factor! I cannot wait to fish with you again next year.
Alex Kojaev, former guide and manager at Ryabaga, paid us a one night visit while on his way down river for his autumn moose hunt. Alex is now retired from serving as Head of Hunting District I in the Saint Petersburg region. He is a monumental player in the history of Ryabaga Camp, as he attended a fishing show in the United States some years ago (circa 1990) where he was introduced to Tim Rajeff and Gary Loomis. This meeting spawned Alex’s idea to locate a camp at the confluence of the Ryabaga and Ponoi Rivers. Prior to this innovation the camp was located at the confluence of the Pacha and Ponoi Rivers. This change of venue gave PRC the most strategic positioning on the greatest salmon river in the world.
It was my very great pleasure to share some time with Victor Sherbovich, Ilya’s father, both on and off the river. Victor and I were first introduced on the Rio Grande in Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina, during the winter of 2005. This week brought another great ten days with Victor here on the Ponoi. Victor, we all await fishing with you again next spring. Thank you for your great company.
We also welcomed back Boris Machnev. It is amazing to see how delighted people are when this guy steps off the MI8. Boris is a reserve guide and our indispensible Yamaha and Mercury engine specialist. Andrei Federov was also re-incarnated from the archives of “Ponoi Greats”. We threw him head first into the fire of the guide pool, having not seen the river since 2003, and well, he has not failed to produce the type of day on the river that he was formerly known for so well, by so many guests here at Ryabaga.
The weather this week was particularly windy, though it did not seem to dampen our catch rates significantly. It is also a warmer-than-usual autumn. We have not yet experienced a hard frost in the morning, though I imagine it is rapidly approaching. The fishing was excellent! For the week: 585 fish landed, 382 bright fish landed (65% of the total are bright fish!), and 18 fish of 15 pounds or greater. On Friday, Andrea Salsi landed a beautiful bright cock fish of 18 pounds with guide, “Big Fish” Bistrov. Sergei, keep them coming. It is important to note that the 18 lb fresh fish was taken in “Kolmac,” our furthest upstream beat. Many anglers have the idea that they must be very close to the sea in order to round up the fresh runners, however, this is not the case. The top beats for the week were “Hourglass”-one third of the way from Ryabaga to the sea, and “Kolmac”- our furthest upstream beat.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
September 6, 2009
Week 15, August 29-Sept 5, 2009
YOU SPOT ‘EM, YOU GOT ‘EM!
The strength and pulling power of an Atlantic salmon is extraordinary! As I was fortunate enough to make a few casts alongside Richard Ackerman, I joined Richard and his Argentine friends Beto Cordero and Federico Zapata, for a day of fishing. We fished hard until lunch, witnessing countless numbers of fresh fish moving upstream. The action, though seemingly slow, was thrilling when a fish took the fly.
The fish appear to be moving upriver at a blistering pace. While Max and Sergei Bistrov found favorable results in the furthest downstream beats last week (Hard Curve and Lapanyarka), the most productive beats this week were further upstream (Kolovai and Purnache). We caught good numbers of salmon in these beats, a large percentage of which were fresh, autumn run fish. Fish with sea lice were caught this week with great regularity in Kolmac, some 100 km upstream of the sea. These fish are obviously on a mission. The stats for the week are as follows: 390 salmon landed for the week, 233 of which were fall run or bright fish. Eighty one fish over ten pounds were caught, and seven over 15 pounds. Stats for the week this year have exceeded the stats for last year. This year: Week 15 average catch per rod was nearly 25 salmon, that is four more than 2008. The average weight is up as well.
I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to make my living in the company of Salmon fishers. How many people get to wake up each day at the helm of a ship that provides luxurious accommodation, fine food and drink, and, most notably, the finest Atlantic salmon fishing in the world? The reward is the company of the kind of angler that ventures to Ponoi to experience the sheer strength of an Atlantic salmon, while learning the secrets, spots, and techniques unique to the exceptional Ponoi. Sure, this is work, but to be able to prepare steaks, cork a bottle of wine, and converse on the clock beside a fire among friends seems almost too good to be true.
Ian and Alan Muir, two brothers, kept catch statistics for the group quite high this week. While this was Ian's fourth trip to Ponoi, Alan was new to the river. Both attribute their success a lucky draw in the beat rotation. I disagree. These two fished with prodigious fervor, enthusiasm and skill. The Ponoi is currently boiling with bright salmon just entering the river. Each drop of the anchor lays witness to fish splashing, rolling, jumping, and running. Though the fish are not always willing to take the fly, persistence certainly pays dividends. Ian frequented the home pool through the week, and each time--morning and evening--he turned up salmon. I admire his persistence.
E. Richard Nightingale of New Jersey, author of Atlantic Salmon Chronicles, Also joined us this week with his son Rick from Iowa. Rick progressed rapidly into the art of casting and catching salmon with a spey rod. No doubt his father's book was an invaluable reference prior to Rick picking up a spey rod. Not only is Richard's book a complete reference on techniques and tactics for catching Atlantic salmon, it also an important channel of information and education of a critical, though sadly diminishing resource. Opposite the title page of Atlantic Salmon Chronicles, the dedication reads: "This book is dedicated to my grandsons, Joseph, Peter, Keenan, and Connor. The Atlantic salmon crisis is but a small window on the future of our planet. It's your planet now, boys. Husband it well."
Richard, thank you for your work and contribution to the conservation of these glorious fish we all gather to catch, admire, respect, and release. It was an honor to fish with you, and every other guest this week.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
August 30, 2009
Week of August 22-29, 2009
HOW ABOUT SOME GREAT FISHING?
There is no doubt about the satisfaction felt by the anglers who travel to the Kola Peninsula every year to fish the Ponoi River. As fall approaches we are now beginning to find out that a medium or fast sink tip affixed to a floating shooting head, fished with a 2 inch or slightly larger tube fly is working wonders on these fall run beauties. The fresh salmon are quite keen on taking a fly swung fast or stripped a bit. When you hook up you’d better hang on!
As many of you know already, last week two notably fine fish were landed on the Ponoi. The first was a 28 pound fall run cock fish. This fish was landed in Lapinyarka beat by Orazio Gatti of Italy. Guide Sergei Bistrov masterfully maneuvered his boat to the bank, river right, where they were able to land the fish with greater ease and chance of success; rather than trying to land such a fish while the vessel is on the anchor, thereby requiring the angler to fight the fish to near exhaustion and lift the fish through heavy current to the guide’s net. Once on the bank the fish was carefully landed, photographed, and released to continue on to his home water, where he will pass on the incredible genetic map that contributed to his being such a creature of incredible strength. The second remarkable fish for the week was another very fresh, very powerful, bright fall run fish of 22 pounds, landed by Caroline Taylor of New Brunswick, Canada. Caroline, an accomplished and experienced salmon fisher, was able to push her tackle to the limit as she quickly and effectively fought the fish to the net of guide Sergei Bistrov. Fall Run fish appeared throughout the beats this week. These fall run fish are generally moving very fast through the river. Many sea-liced fish were caught in our furthest upstream beats.
The sixteen anglers of the group, primarily repeat Ponoi anglers, enjoyed the thrill of catching a sum total of 160 fall run fish. Total catch for the week was 364 salmon, 75 fish over ten pounds, 12 fish of 15 pounds or greater, and 2 fish over 20 pounds.
I would like to express a warm “Thank you,” to Scott and Sunny Boley who so gracefully facilitated the ground breaking celebration of Max and Lena’s wedding to be held in October. Scott pulled me aside on Wednesday evening and requested that I have 3 cases of champagne flown in on the following day’s supply helicopter. Friday evening we toasted to the official union of one of Ryabaga’s favorite couples… Max and Lena, Congratulations!
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
August 26, 2009
Mid week report, excellent news!!!
After a tough week due to heavy rain and a rising river, conditions are improving by the day. The fresh fall run fish are now running steady in good numbers and size.
Take a look at this 28 lbs. beauty landed by our guest Orazio Gatti from Italy.
Check your leaders!!!
See you soon,
Steve Estela.
Week 13
Week of August 15-22, 2009
Forging Traditions and Friendships
During our final supper this past week at Ryabaga, Ken so eloquently affirmed that new friendships were forged during this past week of fishing. The usual gratitude was applied to the professionally attentive group of guides, talented team of mechanics, chefs and of course the ever-present appreciation for the full group of anglers that keep us all gainfully employed during this tense economic climate. However, until Ken played a spoon against his wine glass, taking a stand to address the group, nothing had been mentioned about the new friendships that were taking hold between this fantastically vibrant group of men.
Ten of the twenty anglers came from Argentina, where the majority of their fishing is performed with a single-handed fly rod. These fellows embarked on a journey half way around the world to join the ranks of the Atlantic salmon anglers of Western Europe. The other half of the week’s composition of anglers did not have to travel as far, as they came from the UK and Ireland. The European team, all quite well practiced in the art of casting and fishing with a double handed rod, showed no quarter to the count of fish taken in this manner of angling in comparison to the persistent efforts of our southern hemisphere team and their mode of taking fish with a single handed rod. These 20 men shared fantastic repartee in such areas relative to sports of football, fishing with fly on single handed rod or double, shooting, be it for dove or driven grouse, or the production of beef, Hereford or Aberdeen Angus, or even the origin of a sea-run brown trout. Regardless of the banter, whichever the argument, we here in Ryabaga are sure to find members of both parties united again for many years to come.
Though conditions were difficult, as we experienced nearly three days of steady rain just before and during the Saturday arrival of our week, all anglers eagerly took to the river with the hope of taking a fall run salmon. Perhaps we did not break any records this week, but the immeasurable degree of success was felt throughout the camp as digital cameras were passed back and forth to illustrate what is so special about the Ponoi River. The stats for the week: 270 fish for the week, 44 bright fish, 42 fish of ten pounds or greater and five fish of 15 pounds or greater.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
Monday 17th, August
2009 First Fall run....!!!!
We are very happy to announce Ryabaga Camp anglers are now enjoying the thrill of the fall run coming strong throughout the river.
On Sunday August 16th Hard Curve beat produced a beauty of 14 lbs together with 4 more chrome fish.
Excellent news for the days and weeks to come!!!
Please take a look at the picture of this perfect example of a bright fall run salmon.
Tight lines, see you soon
Steve Estela & Matt Breuer
Friday, August 14th
Lets get going !!!!!
Ryabaga has undergone a major overhaul during the last three and a half weeks. The kitchen received a complete renovation of the floor, added and replaced floor timbers, including re-leveling and resurfacing. A new addition was erected off of the kitchen for the dishwashing, and storage of dry goods, chill and freeze goods. New laundry and bathroom facilities have also been installed. The entire project has been masterfully crafted by our team of builders Sasha, Sergei, and Boris, and our mechanic team, equally. Remarkably, all of the lumber for the construction has been expertly milled on site by our team of skilled mechanics. For three weeks, nearly all hours of the day, Sergei Suriadov and Sergei Shemyakin operated two chainsaw mills. The transformation of pine and fir saw logs into usable lumber is quite an impressive process to witness.
Koyla Balyaev, PRC guide, put the finishing touches on the Brevyeni Camp facilities. Brevyeni’s dining tent has been transformed into a permanent free-standing structure with a visually interesting surrounding deck and sky lit windows that wash the room in natural light. New quarters have been built to house the guide team and kitchen staff. 2010 will see Brevyeni operating up to Ponoi River Company’s uncompromising standards.
On Wednesday night the silence our camp has experienced in these weeks of late was broken by the bite of the MI8 rotor blades as it slowly descended on the Ryabaga helipad. The rest of the staff has returned, refreshed, from a holiday of camping, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. The kitchen, camp staff and the guide team are all primed for the second half of the 2009 season, all very well rested and excited to be back in camp. It is excellent to see such eagerness in the faces of our trusted team.
Above the arctic circle, 68 degrees North Latitude, round-the-clock light is beginning to wane. Colder temperatures will soon thwart the efforts of the ever persistent mosquitoes. Soon the banks of the Ponoi will be blanketed with the golden beauty of the paper birch leaves as they are transformed from their summer greenery. This is the period when our strongest, most consistent run of salmon ascend the Ponoi. The Ryabaga Guide Team is “chomping at the bit” to introduce our second-half lineup of anglers to the hard fighting antics of the fall run Salmon.
See You Soon,
Steve Estela & Matt Breuer
PD: At the time this note was been posted a good number of fresh fish have been spotted running strong up river!!!!!!!!
July 19, 2009
Super 7!!!!
7 Super weeks are coming to an end.
Running a fishing lodge the size and caliber of Ryabaga in the wild Russian Tundra is a big challenge and 2009 was no exception. Matt and Annie had outstanding performances as new Manager and Assistant Manager, both learning and accomplishing a lot in a very little amount of time. They have raised Ryabaga’s standards to a new level of service and attention to detail.
The fishing has been superb! More than 4,500 Atlantic Salmon have been landed in this period with the help of our skillful guests and expert advice from our unique team of guides. This makes an astonishing average of 42 fish per rod! This has also made our scientific program another big success by tagging 1,000 fish in just weeks. Thank you to our guide staff for a great job! We have also had success with our 2 guard outposts situated in the mouth of the Ponoi and Kolmac tributary. The guards continue to enforce regulations by making our boundaries trouble free.
During this first part of the season, the Ryabaga Guest House hosted two groups, one of top local authorities and another one of old time friends combined with new Ponoi legends. Evenings around the Guest House fireplace were a bonus to exceptional fishing days. As quoted by Ilya Sherbovich, Ponoi owner, “Steve!! I don’t want to leave, this is too good to be true….”
July brought good news together with a strong summer run giving our anglers the joy of catching sea lice fish. Soon, August will be here and with it our strong fall run fish, lots of screaming reels and busy guides. Certainly something to look forward to!
Now it is time to give our river a little rest and catch up with some important building projects to keep improving the Ryabaga experience.
See you soon.
Best,
Steve Estela
Week 8
Week of July 11 to July 18, 2009
What a River!!
The week started out a bit slow in comparison with the past weeks of the 2009 season, in Ryabaga. However, this week turned out to be a good week by our standards here on the Ponoi, and a by far a much higher than average week as far as any Atlantic Salmon angler is concerned, anywhere in the world. Weather conditions were fickle at the beginning of the week; ever-changing air temperatures from very warm to cool, skies overcast to sunny. Water temperatures followed suit, up and down over a short period of time, spanning from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. These rapidly changing conditions tend to exacerbate the challenge of Atlantic salmon. Water level dropped slowly at the beginning of the week, slowing even more with the onset of intermittent rain showers through the rest of the week.
Salmon landed for week 8: 374 for 14 Rods, an average of 27 salmon per rod.
It is something else to see what two long time members of the Ponoi Family can add to atmosphere of the big tent. By far our best bar patrons, Paul and Michael of Ireland are a real testament to the joy of friendship combined with a longstanding fishing tradition. It is to these two gentleman’s credit that we started the week off with a Saturday night party that nearly eliminated one day of fishing. The entire camp was motivated by the antics of these two. Thank you gentlemen. If nothing else you have earned-- with honors-- an “Accommodation of Spirit”.
The group of eight anglers from France was a pleasure; they fished hard through the week, cheerfully accepting less than favourable conditions and results during their first three days of fishing. By the end of the week, the numbers had shaped up enough to call it excellent. It is with great enthusiasm that I would like to congratulate David for taking advantage of all that the home pool has to offer. Purportedly one of the greatest spots on the river, Ryabaga Camp home pool is a prime stretch of the Ponoi spanning approximately 1000 meters from the downstream moorage of the camp to the mouth of the Ryabaga River upstream. The site was chosen as the Ponoi River Company’s oldest and largest camp in 1991 by Gary Loomis, the now famous producer of fine graphite single handed and Spey rods. The Ryabaga Camp Home Pool is ideal habitat for holding and spawning salmon due to the water velocity and temperature which is regulated by two nearby tributaries: Purnache and Ryabaga.
Jonathan, from the UK, experienced his first trip to Ryabaga Camp, a trip, I am sure he will remember for a long time to come. Jonathan fished with Pete, father of Steve and Jon. The trio live in the US. Pete has been to the Ponoi many times, his sons experienced the first of, possibly, many visits. Jon and Steve each landed many fine salmon, proving their first experience with a Spey rod quite successful.
Joining the Ryabaga team has been a very exciting transition from working many years as full time guide to very part-time guide, full-time manager of Ryabaga Camp. The guides, staff, mechanics, builders, assistant manager, office crew in Murmansk, and booking agents are all so very loyal, professional, hard working, competent, cheerful, experienced, and capable toward their work of producing one of the finest fly-fishing experiences for any given angler in the industry. I have much to be thankful for. I cannot wait to get rolling again on August 15, 2009!!
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
July 12, 2009
I LOVE PONOI!!
Week of July 4 to July 11, 2009
Where else in the world would you find a river teaming with such an incredible run of salmon? Again, Ryabaga anglers experienced a very high week with 43 fish per rod and several fish over 15 pounds. Ryan and Knud boat saw three very good fish: Knud took a 17-pound fish and Ryan took 17 and 18 pound fish.
The weather this week saw intermittent showers throughout the week, which contributed to dropping water, however slowly. Water temperatures spanned the idyllic 11 to 15 degrees. Air temperatures were mild.
Current conditions necessitate the use of nothing too fancy. A floating line and your favourite Atlantic salmon pattern, tied on a 1-inch tube or shorter; or a double hook 2x long will generate riveting slashes, raised fish from the depths, boils, and various other voracious attempts, at your fly. A Ponoi salmon will rise from the bottom of the river, six feet through the water column, to take a fly on a very rapidly swinging line...this is heavenly fishing.
It was a great pleasure to see Andrea again in fine form with his friends, all enthusiastically fishing Home Pool most evenings throughout the week. Giampietro, Gianmario, Renato and Andrea shared stories of their fishing exploits in the far reaches of the planet. Renato gave us a reminiscent account of his time fishing the Ungalikthluk and Togiak Rivers of southwest Alaska with Bristol Bay Lodge. I was reminded of my early days of guiding in Alaska for BBL. Experiences in other destinations around the world are difficult to compare to the quality of fishing here on the Ponoi. I am learning very quickly what it means to be a part of such a special place. The four Italian gentlemen were very pleased to share a bottle of Grappa offered by PRC CEO and Managing Director, Steve Estela. Thank you Steve for that.
Knud from Denmark and Ryan, of The Fly Shop in Redding, California, were a whimsical pairing, as one hails from the Western US and the other from Denmark. One in his early 30’s and the other mid 70’s, one of old school trout, salmon Spey type angling and the other of new school northwest, steelhead, pacific salmon influence. It was interesting to contemplate the history of fly fishing, where we have been in tradition and style of angling and where we will go as this younger generation “comes on” in the world of fly fishing. Although pairings of this nature often work out just fine, it is often a question of whether or not the pairing will prove to hinder one another’s experience. The following is an example of this notion: It was said by Knud to Ryan “If I died tomorrow, I would be happy. I’ve had lots of great experiences over the course of my life. Well, that would ruin your trip. I’ll wait until I get home.”
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
July 5, 2009
Ponoi on Fire!!
Week of June 27-July 4, 2009
What a week!! The Ponoi is on fire, the numbers this week were incredible for the 16 rods here at Ryabaga. Salmon landed totalled 740, while 184 of those were bright summer-run salmon. We landed 102 fish greater than ten pounds each and eight greater than 15 pounds. Average catch per rod was nearly 50 fish!
Overall it was a cool week and so far it looks like the summer is shaping up to be cooler than previous years, according to mechanic and part-time weather correspondent, Genia Flidner. Air temperatures spanned from 8 to 18 degrees Celsius during the day. Water temperatures spanned from 10 to 14 degrees Celsius. Despite cooler temperatures through the week, Ponoi salmon continued to aggressively charge to the surface for smaller flies presented on floating and intermediate lines. Successful patterns this week included the Alley's Shrimp and Cascade. Intermittent showers throughout the week contributed to a steady river level, only losing a few centimetres of height.
Guests this week joined us from the USA, England, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Australia, South Africa and Russia. As always, such a diverse group really adds to the mixture of conversation at the dining table.
Martin, who graced us with his company for two weeks, was rewarded with a wonderful fish during his saturday bonus session with guide Heather. Ken's fervent efforts with his spey rod and gifted casting ability gave him the fortune of hooking and landing a beautiful 17 pound salmon, the largest fish of the week.
For three members of the party this week marked their first atlantic salmon caught on fly. Twelve-year-old Fernando Jr., 11-year-old Jonathan and his father Chris took to casting, hooking, fighting, and landing salmon after salmon. Fernando and Fernando Jr. arrived at the dock after their first day of fishing absolutely beaming about their time spent with guide Daniel in the Clough Creek beat. Fernando Jr. landed nine salmon on his first day of using a spey rod, while Chris and Jonathan each took a 14 pound salmon. Well done gents!
It was a particular pleasure to see the familiar faces of Jim, Rob and Hugo. Assistant manager, Annie, and I hosted a shore lunch for the group of filet mignon, sautéed vegetables and freshly baked bread. Guide Tommy's influence from Argentina aided in the production of the meal over an open fire with his disco.
After having had a week so prolific with the presence of our "finned friends" Salmo Salar, let us pause for just a moment to reflect on why we venture to such far off places, in our case, north of the arctic circle. We are not only in search of fish, but the ever-so important need to re-create our souls, commune in wild places and with wild things, and share in the camaraderie of our fellow man.
With great appreciation, I hope we cross paths again.
Matt Breuer
Ryabaga Camp Manager
June 28, 2009
Good News! Summer run is here and the big guys are starting to take!
Week of June 20 to June 27, 2009
During the fifth week of the season numerous hard fighting fish were caught. The total of bright fish for the week was 733. Igor and Mark landed 26 six fish coaxed to the surface with dry flies, very exciting action!! Many more fish rose to the fly but did not commit to taking.
Early in the week it was reported by one guide that finding fish near or off of structure including breaks, bars and tail-outs, was not as productive. These structure areas are typically where salmon tend to hold this time of season and at the current water level. He reported catching many fish in very fast water, more mid-river. Other anglers had great success wading or fishing from a guide-waded boat.
Ken and Betsy, first-time Atlantic Salmon anglers, were met with huge success throughout the entire week. Astonishingly in the final moments of the Friday evening session, while in the lowest beat Tomba with guide Ruslan, Ken’s fly was struck hard by an amazingly shouldered 21-pound cock fish. This is great news! The big fish are starting to move towards the fly making a great fight for anglers.
Jon has fished the Ponoi River many, many years always with the White Muddler Minnow, his confidence fly. The success of fishing this fly reaffirms the theory that fly choice is not the most important factor in taking Atlantic Salmon.
Jim and Paddy also long time visitors to Ryabaga Camp, obviously enjoyed their fishing, but were also quite lively conversationalists at the dining table and bar. Paddy in particular was a real presence during the hill party on Thursday night.
Home Pool really put the icing on the cake this week. All anglers who spent time at Home Pool experienced exciting top water action, as 71 fish were taken. Bruce alone landed seven late into the final evening. Rumor has it, Bruce even landed one just a moment before the helicopter departed and appeared at the helicopter pad only when Genya drug him from the waters of Home Pool. This is certainly quite a testament to the devotion and productivity of these waters known as the Ponoi.
Guests and staff alike had a great week. Many great fish, stories and times were had by all. We look forward to fishing with everyone again and looking forward to the coming week.
June 21, 2009
Wind, heat, cold rain - still a great week for all- Fishing Report for 13-20 June 2009
The Ponoi river conditions fluctuated moderately through the early part of the week. The steady water drop trend continued until a significant thunderstorm streamed through the area on Monday afternoon. It was an incredible sight and plenty of video was taken, which we are trying to process to put on the website for you. Sheets of heavy rain contributed nearly a six-inch rise of the river by Tuesday. Rain showers continued through Thursday and Friday, again, adding to the level of the river, though having no significant negative affect on our catch rates. Water temperatures did not vary greatly; at the beginning of the week (10 C) and warmer toward the end of the week (14 C). The most significant factor was very heavy wind felt on Sunday and Tuesday particularly, which resulted in dirty water for the rest of the week. The sum total of salmon landed for the week was 885 or 45 fish per rod, an excellent figure given the conditions.
The fantastic group of 13 returning anglers and seven first-time Ryabaga Camp guests, included wonderful characters from the UK, France, Australia and the USA which made for an excellent social week. I should like to mention John and Cheryl Dale, John MacMillan, Fred Middleton and Bernard Giboin, all of who have been coming to Ryabaga for countless years. We love having you back and you are so much a part of the Ryabaga history. Guests and crew alike enjoyed the first official ‘party on the hill’ on Wednesday evening. A vibrant sunset added to the stunning scenery overlooking the Ryabaga tributary, which was even more enhanced with a late night rainbow. This gathering is always an enjoyable time to let loose, have a drink, and jibe and jive with one another after having fished and worked hard together throughout the week. Guests were shuttled back to camp only when a light rain arrived at 1 a.m.
The Home Pool this week was absolutely wonderful. It really came in to its own from top to bottom producing nearly 100 fish for the week. Except in the morning and evenings this incredible piece of water is left untouched. Combined with the wonderful sunsets, a night on Home Pool is perhaps one of the most magical experiences at Ponoi. The good news is, once it starts to fish, it does not stop until the light runs out towards the end of the season.
In closing, we at Ponoi River Co would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the guests that have made this past week truly memorable.
June 14, 2009
Skated flies, sunset evenings at Home Pool, 900+ fish and 20 great guests – a perfect week.
The first highlight of the new week was our new VIP or diplomatic room. Excellent comfortable seating, plenty of fine sandwiches for hungry travelling guests, drinks on the house. We did have a small weather delay but everyone was relaxed and comfortable. The room also has its own private entrance where the bus can pull up so none of the check-in hassle to board the helicopter that is suffered in the main airport.
Our week began a little cold but soon the fine weather came and with it the floating lines and skated flies. It is hard to describe such a wonderful week – everything was fantastic made just perfect by a superb group of guests mostly from the UK and USA, the majority of whom have enjoyed Ryabaga on numerous occasions (18 years for some) and are truly old friends.
The river dropped in to excellent height at –8 on the gauge, lots of structure showing, tons and tons of perfect fishable water – at this height there is no way the beats can be covered in a day. Water temperatures rose nicely from about 5 degrees C, to 10. We also explored new beats and began to expand our choice of water opening up Laponyarka and Hard Curve for adventurous guests who were well rewarded. Two groups also walked up the Purnache river and enjoyed breathtaking scenery though the fish have not made it up there yet in numbers. Kostia and Gerald were resolute in their pursuit of using the skated fly for most of the time and had huge success with 25 fish for Kostia on the dry including 6 in a row at Home Pool one magical night.
This leads me to the highlight of the week. We had the first Home Pool drinks party which was attended by most guests and guides until late into the night – past 1AM to be precise! It was while we enjoyed the sunset over Home Pool over a drink round the fire that Kostia enjoyed his magical night. Charlie, a very welcome addition to the guest list and was very generous with his whiskey that night though it did lead him to stray off piste a little himself!
Our total for the week was 963 salmon – a statistic which does not really reflect the quality of fishing because of the amount of time guests took off to skate flies, walk up the Purnache and of course the long fine dining on the river enjoyed by so many. Guests such as Francois bring their own ginger, mirrin, wasabi and chopsticks for sashimi which he spent considerable time preparing beautifully on the river bank!! Our guests enthusiasm for river side cooking was almost equal to that of the fishing!!
Thanks so much to all guests for their great enthusiasm and sense of humour which made for a very special week for all.
June 7, 2009
May 30th - June 6th, First week, great news !!!!!!
The story of the first week of each season is so often about the pre-season and this year was no exception. About a week out, we were still trudging around in heavy snow, up to 2-feet outside our rooms with parts of the river still frozen. But as is so often the case, it all changed. The sun came out and some warm weather set in for the hole of the first week. so much so that by the time our first guests arrived the river was very high and warm and all ice cleared from the banks. there was one unique difference this year though...warm water. We have started with higher water in years gone by but it is usually cold water then and although we often end the week with catching fish on skated flies we usually begin with sinking lines. This season, we had high water but warm and it presented a different challenge to our experienced guide team. The fish were close to the bank but they were also in faster water but not prepared to burst the surface just yet so getting to them was perhaps more difficult. After a slow first day of finding our feet, guides and rods settled in to a good routine with the best day at 144 fish to 14 rods, four of which had never caught an atlantic salmon before. the week's tally was 672 to 14 rods which is an average of about 48 fish per rod. This is almost double the same time last year in those very cold conditions at the start of the 2008 season.
The weather was pretty good for the first four days out of the six, towards the end of the week some cold weather blew through with some snow on the saturday departure. The river dropped a good six feet (two meters) and ended in good shape with the swollen look of the beginning of the week gone. As is so often the case by the end of the week, fish were being risen and caught on the dry which, despite happening almost every year, is always amazing. The hovercraft was up and running well too with the warm, comfortable journey appreciated by all.
We sadly missed six friends who were unable to come through a leg injury to one of the party - we wish them well. However, those that came were on top form - guests came from across the world as far as Darwin, Australia with great ponoi friend Steve Baddeley who brought his other son Rupert for the first time. We enjoyed eight guests from Moscow - one of those a resident of Moscow but from the US, the other seven, the Popov group, who fascinated us with all their card games long into the night. It was an excellent social week of mixed cultures combined with great fishing.
In summary, a great start with wonderful guests and many thanks to all of them.
Matt Breuer & Tarquin Millington Drake
June 2, 2009
The 2009 Season has begun!
The 2009 Ponoi Season has begun with happy clients and cheerful staff. The weather has been very pleasant with temperatures reaching 21 Celsius. The river is a bit high, but is continuing to drop quickly. The staff is all very happy to see clients and fish! Guides are in top form and ready to start the season strong! In addition to our staff, we have Mollie Fitzgerald in camp showing our new hostess Annie all the secrets of camp. The ladies are doing an excellent job keeping the camp in good form, thanks Mollie! We also have Tarquin sharing his time in camp and on the river assuring a smooth transition with Matt Breuer, Ryabaga camp manager. This is a very exciting time for everyone in camp!
We had an excellent opening day with 115 fish landed and 85 bright... and the conditions keep getting better! Check out the new photos of the first fish of the season. We are looking forward to a great first week!
Update from Ponoi
Preparations are in full swing at Ryabaga. The camp is looking great and the staff is in good spirits and anxiously awaiting the first group of clients. The river is completely open and the ice is gone! The weather has also been shaping up nicely, lots of sun and temperatures reaching 16 degrees Celsius…let’s keep our fingers crossed that it continues!
Ponoi has been able to make arrangements with the Murmansk Airport, which will allow us to enjoy the new Official Delegations room, a nice upgrade to our previous VIP room. Check out the pictures of the new lounge!
Stay tuned as we post more updates as clients start to arrive and the fishing begins!
Ponoi Update
Steve Estela, Matt Breuer and Tarquin Millington-Drake have been very busy in the Murmansk office working on pre-season preparations to ensure camp is ready to go when guests start to arrive. The third trip into camp is scheduled for Tuesday May 19th, which will deliver guides and camp staff who will quickly be put to work getting camp set up. The mechanics have been very busy assembling several of the guests’ tents and the big tent is already up!
There is still some ice up river, but the good news is the river has broke! The snow is nearly all gone and it is starting to feel like spring in camp with temperatures ranging from +7 degrees Celsius to -5 degrees Celsius at night.
This is a very exciting time of year for camp staff and guides! These are all signs of a very promising season! We look forward to seeing all of you very soon. Keep checking back as we will be updating the site with more reports of the opening of camp!
A quick weather update from Ponoi
Weather in Murmansk is beginning to show some nice conditions. The sun is shining in Murmansk with 18 hours of light and temperatures in the +7 - +10 degrees Celsius. The forecast for the next few days is expected to be nice and we are looking forward to a warm spring.
The first group of mechanics will fly into camp on Tuesday May 12 to begin working on assembling the tents, preparing camp and putting the boats in the water. Western staff will begin to arrive late next week and supplies are coming in heavy.
The Murmansk office is working hard putting all things in order to ensure camp is ready for clients this spring.
All the staff is ready for the new season in good spirits, confident that guests will again enjoy a unique experience when visiting the Ponoi.
Keep watching for updates – the crew are in camp this week!
Pre-season at Ponoi
Spring has sprung for most of you around the world and Ponoi River Co, is busy gearing up for the 2009 season. We have some exciting changes happening at Ponoi this season. First, we would like to introduce Matthew Breuer as our new Ryabaga Camp Manager. Matt has over a decade’s worth of experience in the American West, Alaska and Argentina. He has been the fishing manager at Kau Tapen Lodge for the past three years. Matt will fit right in with the Ponoi crew as he has worked with Max, Tommy and Pelle Tronde for many years. We look forward to Matt joining the team and welcome his experience and passion for fishing! On another note, Heather Ready, end of last season manageress will not be able to return to camp this season, however, she will be keeping a close eye on camp as she will be our Web Editor for the 2009 season. If you have any questions, comments or photos to share, please email Heather Ready or Steve Estela at heather.ready@ponoiriver.com or sestela@ponoiriver.com.
The Murmansk office is also busy working on all pre-season issues and preparations, while the guides and staff are busy getting their visas and suitcases packed! The weather is starting to warm up and we are looking forward to a great spring!
Just a few weeks ago Sergei Zurin braved the winter conditions and delivered 18 tons of propane to camp through the winter road! The trip is 350km at an average speed of 10km an hour! Thank you Sergei for your hard work and dedication to camp! For those of you curious about what camp looks like in the winter, pictures are posted of Sergei’s trip.
The first flight to camp is scheduled for May 12, which will deliver some staff and supplies for camp. The Ponoi team is anxious to get back to camp and prepare for the upcoming season. Denis Dimitrovsky, head chef, is returning for another season and is anxious to begin his next bear hunt, Matthew Breuer will be joining the camp this year as Camp Manager, guide Heather Sietz will be returning to reclaim her title with the record fish of the season in her boat and everyone’s favorite Argentines Tommy and Boris will be returning as well as all our familiar Russian guides and camp staff. Murmansk Airport has also gone under renovation over the winter, giving returning guests a pleasant surprise when they land in Russia!
We look forward to a great 2009 season and delivering once more a unique Salmon fishing experience! We hope to see you all soon.
Best Regards,
Steve Estela
Heather Ready
Dear Ponoi Friends,
It is with great regret that we announce that Will Casella is retiring from his role as Operations Manager with Ponoi River Co and will therefore not be joining the Ponoi Team in 2009.
Will's contribution to the development of Ponoi River Co, specifically Ryabaga Camp and the full refurbishment of the Brevyeni Camp was enormous. not only did he have the vision to oversee the big projects but he also had the attention to detail for the day-to-day minutiae that makes the Ponoi experience so special. After five fabulous years of hard work and dedication Will has decided to move on to the next stage in his career. We thank Will for all his efforts over these years and wish him the best of luck for the future. He will always be a friend of the Ponoi.
From an impressive list of qualified candidates Matthew Breuer has been selected to take over as Ryabaga Camp Manager. With over a decade's experience in the American West, Alaska and currently Argentina where he has been the Fishing Manager at the reknown Kau Tapen Lodge for the past three years, Matt comes with very high recommendations. He already knows some of the Ponoi crew having worked with Ponoi Head Guide Max Mamaev and veteren guides Tommy Sordelli and Pelle Tronde for many years. besides his passion for fishing, Matt is a certified Professional pilot, which brings a trained eye for attention to safety detail. We know that Matt will be an excellent choice and popular with our guests and we wish him well this season.
In order to guarantee a smooth transition, Frontiers London Office Managing Director and Senior Advisor for PRC Tarquin Millington-Drake together with Ponoi River Co. CEO Steve Estela will assist Matt all through the training process. Tarquin Millington-Drake will be in camp with Matt through the pre-season and the first few weeks of June.
On behalf of the whole Ponoi team, we look forward to seeing you on the river this season which all our indicators point to being a spectacular one!
Best Regards,
The Ponoi Team
Please Ask Frontiers about our Specialist Weeks for 2009We are running two special weeks next season.
Father and Son Week
One is a Father and Son week which does not have to be father and son but can be daughter, nephews, nieces etc. This week is designed for young or inexperienced rods who wish to try salmon fishing with a more experienced member of the family and enjoy an adventure. They will enjoy some of the finest tuition from expert guides and casters. They will have the opportunity to learn about the country of Russia, meet its people, understand how to read a river, handle fish taking a fly, during the fight and releasing, study the conservation of Atlantic salmon and our tagging programme, see real tundra and appreciate its vulnerability and much more. This is great floating line fishing when a skated fly should be working well and attracting numerous rises. This week in 2008 caught a record 37 fish per rod of which nearly 60% were mint fresh summer run fish. Across 15 years of camp records the average catch per rod for this week is 21 fish. There is minimal need to buy and bring equipment – we can fully outfit young rods of 5ft tall and upwards and can equip everyone with rods, reels etc at no extra charge.
Salmon Academy
If you were not a ‘born and bred’ salmon fisherman and began your career attending a course of some description pounding away on the Tay or Spey in the off-season, how often did you find yourself wishing you had a real laboratory where all that casting and theory about reading the water, mending the line and ‘why do salmon take’ etc could be put to a real test, a test where there were real fish in real lies that will react to what you are doing and trying. The Ponoi is the ultimate salmon laboratory, it is by no means a fish every cast but the size of the run of fish is such that you can expect a reaction to things you try and places you decide look good. You will learn from real experience and adventure on the water, fish showing at the fly, follows, boils, slow long draw takes and fast hard grabs – it all happens on the Ponoi in a week of fishing and more can be learned by being there and doing it than anything else. On this week, you will be supported and guided by a highly qualified team of guides plus well-known salmon and sea trout expert Steffen Jones but also have the chance to be entirely alone on the water.
For details contact either Mark Hewetson-Brown or Steffen Jones on 01285 741 340 or at mhb@frontierstrvl.co.uk or sj@frontierstrvl.co.uk.
Ponoi River 2008 Recap
It is always sad when good things come to an end…the 2008 season is over and will be remembered as one of the best.
In 1998 I learned what a special place Ponoi is, when I was invited to join the world-class team of guides. It was a dream, come true. Those years have lived in my memories for years as my best days on a river and as being a part of the most professional team I've ever worked with. For different reasons my professional life got very busy in Argentina and even though I kept in touch with many of the Ponoi guides, it wasn't until 2007 that I got the opportunity to return.
One of the best things about living and working in the outdoors in these special and unique destinations is the diversity of people you meet. While in Argentina I was lucky to meet a very nice, enthusiastic fly fisherman with whom I experienced wild fishing trips to Siberia among many other incredible places. In 2006 he became the Ponoi River Co's new owner.
Life spins in many directions and 10 years later I was invited to join Ponoi again. I felt extremely honoured and could not refuse such an offer. This position was now a more challenging and difficult position to take on, it was no longer guiding. The commitment is strong and the responsibility even more, but I am determined to keep raising the standards and working to improve the already best salmon river in the world. I am committed to providing our guests with an unforgettable experience; just like the one I had many years ago.
This season I was reminded again what a truly special place Ponoi. The season started tough, a long winter made opening camp very hard, resulting in moving the opening week back by a week. But after a tough opener, every aspect of camp and fishing started off in perfect shape. A good height and clear water made things even better.
The June weeks produced good numbers, but the summer months were amazing and up from previous years, taking catches up to 50 percent higher with an even higher percentage of bright fish. Our guests were enjoying the Ponoi at its very best. Warmer days slowly began to move in and leaves started budding making the fishing good and the riverbanks very picturesque. July followed with incredible catches, making 2008 the best ever summer run, both in number and quality of sea-lice fish. Before we could realize summer was fading, the river produced the first strong fresh fall run fish. The fish were running early, strong and in very good numbers, in fact the third best fall run ever.
Fifteen years ago we started a serious scientific study, which is paying back, making the Ponoi a prolific Atlantic salmon heaven. The anti-poaching policy is continuing to be enforced by having full time river guard camps in both the mouth to prevent small netting activities and in Kolmac tributary to stop fishing beyond our boundaries. 2008 also welcomed the new Hovercraft, which delivered guests dry and warm down river. This was a very welcomed improvement for the programme at Ponoi.
After hot showers, delicious appetizers were awaiting hungry guests as Denis Dimitrovsky, our five-star camp chef, prepared for dinner. The bar turned into a true meeting point where guests gathered after fishing hours to enjoy a cold draft beer and chat about their daily fishing battles. Some didn’t even make it out of their waders before they were sipping on coffee or enjoying a drink.
Our down river, 8 rod exclusive camp Brevyeni, also had a dream start and records were broken on a daily basis, making 2008 their best season yet. Our guests were amazed at the comfort and hospitality of the staff. Brevyeni waters are truly incredible making the Ponoi River an even more unique experience. Guest are looking forward to returning to every rock, break and riffle to catch those elusive salmon that once rose to their flies, before turning and heading back to sea.
Once again, the Ponoi performed up to its reputation and is a promise for a new, more exciting 2009 season. Expectations are very high following the fantastic Fall run. The Ponoi is now working hard in all post and pre-season aspects to ensure once again, a more unique experience to all our new and always, loyal rods.
Looking forward to your visit, tight lines,
Steve Estela
Managing Director
Ponoi River Co.
With 17 years experience fishing and operating the Ponoi, Tarquin Millington-Drake reflects on this past season and what the river might mean to different levels of fisherman.
Those that selected the Ponoi as the river of choice in 1990 had to make a quick decision with minimal knowledge of any Kola river but their choice turned out to be a masterful judgement. The river enjoys fresh fish belonging to one run or another from the day we start fishing to the day we leave, and well beyond. It is extraordinarily resilient to all conditions and weather. Fish are caught no matter what. Furthermore, for a river this size, it has been impressively responsive to the conservation measures put in place in 1994 when the ‘rus’ or ‘counting fence’ was removed from the mouth of the river, and catch and release with tagging was introduced as an alternative method of population measurement.
As the years went by, the parr densities increased and Russian and US scientists began to predict that numbers of fish caught would increase to something none of us imagined were possible. 2000 fish in a week was even mentioned. In 2003, they were proved right when over 1800 fish were caught to twenty rods. A memorable week but that was not the only crazy week during those years. This was also the time when the bigger fish, including the 31 lb record, were caught.To bring the story full circle, what goes up, must come down and natural cycles still exist at the Ponoi as much as any other Atlantic salmon river. We are told that the averages of the upwards and downwards trends will be higher. In other words, the highs will be higher and the lows will be less low. This too seems to be taking its course. We have seen a trend downwards which now appears to be over but we have not seen the lows anything like those before the millenium and we were all pretty impressed back then!
The 2008 season appears to have been the turning point from the recent downward trend. The key is the upturn in numbers of fish this summer (which broke all records) and the much-improved autumn run which is the third best since 2000. I remember clearly guiding the autumn weeks in 1999 and 2000 listening to camp scientist Sergei Prusov predicting vast numbers of fish as the removal of the net at the mouth of the river in 1994 took effect. During those seasons, there was also a very clear trend of larger fish which Sergei also said was typical and in keeping with less fish. The less fish, we were catching about 5500 a season then) the bigger they are in the autumn, the more there are, the more uniform the size at 10 – 12 lbs. In 2000, one week, we caught 25 fish over 20lbs.
Whether there were correct explanations or not, in terms of fish arriving late as speculated, the fact is that by 2002, the runs of salmon were huge and in 2003, the predictions of extreme numbers came true with that week of over 1800 fish and autumn weeks of close to 1000 fish. Everyone went crazy but the scientist was there in the background quietly reminding us that the cycles will still occur. Sure enough, in 2004, the indicator was there and the fish-per-rod average for the season went down from 47 to 33. It went down further to 25 fish per rod for the season in 2005 but recent years have shown a stable level from 32 – 38 fish per rod so the lowest of this low period was 25, all the other averages of the low period were over 30 fish per rod per week. The clearest trend of all is the fact that if a good autumn is had then the spring has a better than average chance of being good. The average ratio is that the first six weeks of the next season produce 1.88 times that of the last six weeks of the previous autumn. Of course there are variables, such as the very late spring this year, but the trend is there and if it is right, spring 2009 will be the second best spring since 2000 and therefore the second best ever.
Having the amount of water that we do (Ryabaga enjoys 67 km of fishing), the runs of fish are always somewhere and we can get there quickly and easily, without a helicopter. The size of fish varies greatly, we have caught tiny grilse through to fish of over 30 lbs. We start the season with tons of autumn/winter fish as well as fresh fish and just when things are slowing down, the summer run arrives. Just when they are slowing down the autumn fish arrive. The river is amazing across the entire 18-week season.
But what about from the fisherman’s perspective?
So what does all this information mean to us, the fisherman? For me, firstly, it means a greater faith in the science of Atlantic salmon. This river has enjoyed tremendous attention and professionalism and it is impressive that Sergei Prusov and Fred Whorisky are so in touch with what is going on. That is interesting to all of us, novice or guru and we all learn from it every year. But the Ponoi offers something to everybody. It is a river that all fishermen can enjoy from all levels of experience.
Below are some reflections on what the Ponoi might mean to each category.
The Novice – There is no greater academy for Atlantic salmon fishing than the Ponoi. In a week, the international team of guides, all of whom speak perfect English, will have you casting, spey-casting, snake rolling, everything. I have witnessed this countless times. Novices arrive doubting and lacking in confidence, they leave with excellent skills and with numerous fish under the belt.
The Intermediate – This is the rod that has caught a fair few Atlantic salmon, more than 100. Atlantic salmon fishing is all about experience. Where fish lie, fly speed, depth, angle, how they react, how to get them back etc. What other rivers will teach and yield in terms of experience in years, the Ponoi will provide in a week. The catching is not the point, it’s the rises, follows, boils and how to respond to them, where the fish are lying and how to fish to that lie where the master-class takes place. I have seen people mature into top, thinking fishermen through their time on the river.
The Experienced – What does the experienced rod want most? Big fish in the 30-50 lb range - the Ponoi is not for you. Strong fish, responsive fish, aggressive fish, the Ponoi ticks all those boxes. What they really want is time alone on the water to test themselves. How does 5 km of new wading each day sound? The Ponoi is one of the few rivers that can be waded for miles. There is the odd bluff to get around but there are miles and miles of wading in safety. Reading all that water, knowing which water to walk past, which to slow down for, when to wade deep and when to stay out. If the experienced rod wants to be challenged, there is plenty of virgin wading to test anyone, I have fished it for 17 years and still find it challenging.Autumn Run coming back strongly…
There is no doubt that during recent years (2005-2007) the famous autumn run of the Ponoi has not been as it should. It has been a slight mystery to us all because they have always shown up on the same day (even taking account of the Leap Year this year!) but the run has rather faded mid-autumn season, coming back strongly at the end. The fishing in the spring the next year has always been strong and therefore the conclusion has been that the run was perhaps a little weaker but late.
This season, there was a wonderful summer run. The best since Manager, Will Casella, has been keeping his detailed records in his famous excel sheets! The highest fish per rod per day since 2004, double for a couple of weeks to be exact. As a result, a strong autumn run was expected and this is becoming a reality. This week, over 200 of these silver bruisers have been landed in the first four days. This total, in recent years, has been close the total for the week whereas we expect this week to be closer or over 600 fish.
We are delighted with this news because, those that have stayed loyal to their autumn weeks, are being rewarded with wonderful fishing and incredible, strong fish.
Keep watching as this part of the season evolves. Things are looking great for the end of the season and indeed, the spring of 2009.
New Images of Purnache and Brevyeni Camps are now up!
Fresh images from this spring from both the above camps are now posted. Go to either the Purnache or Brevyeni sections shown in the menu above and have a look at over 120 new shots of the camps and fishing.
Reserve your spots for 2009 now!
