Reflective Thoughts
The catch statistics shown in this site are accurate and have been kept diligently by camp management.
The client comments are real statements by real people from seasons past. Together, they should give you the impression that the fishing is excellent at this river, supported by an outstanding camp, with organisation, transportation and logistics that are dependable and efficient: uniquely reassuring on the Kola Peninsula. Customer satisfaction is very high.
However, as with all salmon fishing, the odd week every season has proved to be disappointing compared to people's expectations. Nothing concerns us more than to hear of unfulfilled expectations or of someone who has been to a great river and suffered a modest catch, but this is fishing - though the Ponoi is much more predictable than most.
Those of us who have fished for Atlantic salmon for many years on less productive rivers often think we are understating the excellence of the Ponoi. The great variable that we all have come to accept is the profound influence that prevailing weather conditions have on Atlantic salmon. Even though the Ponoi climate is fairly benign considering its 67 degree north location, extremes can be encountered which adversely affect the fishing and sometimes even the fighting capability of the fish. The unpredictable Ponoi weather the week you are there can mean a 200-fish difference compared to the week after, or what happened the same week a season or two ago. This is a risk that simply goes with fishing in the Arctic North.
The quality of fishing is certainly the attraction to the Ponoi, however, and there have been some extraordinary fishing tales over the years. Guests have caught as many as 150 salmon to their own rod in a week with weekly totals reaching over 1800 fish, while others who have fished only skated and dry fly have landed 65 fish, attracting over 180 rises to their fly in the week. Of course, we all know that no fishing is always like this and therefore one also has to examine the downside to ask how reliable is the Ponoi? Our worst year average is 19 fish per rod per week, which, across an 18-week season, demonstrates great reliability. Compare this to other global Atlantic salmon destinations and this statistic comes into sharp focus.
This fishing has to be viewed in the context of Atlantic salmon fishing and not salmon fishing in Alaska. English fishing writer David Profumo wisely wrote, "A pre-occupation with arithmetic is not a good idea for the salmon angler". Some of our clients have suggested that we de-emphasize the number of fish, yet catch statistics are usually the first question we are asked. For some reason, catch statistics have been a part of salmon fishing for a long time (they have been kept meticulously on some rivers since the eighteenth century). We have only a short databank from Ponoi, and although the numbers week by week are fact, they are averages. This means that some people catch fewer fish and others many more each week.
Some people prefer to fish only with a dry fly, and that's terrific; others will use only techniques that have worked for them elsewhere, and that's a very personal thing. Certainly your ability to wade, cast and employ different tactics will influence your success; so, too, will the energy people are willing to devote to their fishing day.
When you come to the Ponoi, plan to enjoy Atlantic salmon fishing for what it is - a relatively unpredictable sport with skills sometimes overshadowed by luck - knowing that there is no better river anywhere to give you an excellent chance of success. However, the element of chance, most often weather-induced, is still there, and that's part of the sport. If you are after fish over 30lbs, this may not be the river for you, even though the average size of Ponoi salmon is certainly respectable, currently as good as you’ll find in Scotland, better than Iceland and most rivers in Canada. There is also a type of fishing for all tastes throughout the many miles of productive salmon water between the Ponoi and her tributaries.
In any case, all of us will be doing all we can to help make the Ponoi meet and exceed your expectations.
