Sidorovka River – Paradise Camp, Russia
The Sidorovka river is one of the most beautiful and remote salmon rivers of Kola peninsula. As in many others rivers in the northern Kola Peninsula, mainly spring and summer run fish make up the bulk of the returning salmon. The first fish begin arriving in early June. There are no large holding pools the lower part of the river, so the fish come in an it run up river despite cold high water. The first holding pools appear only 3-4 km from the sea. June salmon in Sidorovka are large full bodied salmon. Fish in the 8 to 9 kg range are common and there are good chances to hook 100 cm+ salmon. Last autumn spawned kelts, which drop downriver towards groups of “fresh” salmon, may also be caught during this period. Autumn run salmon left over from the previous year (winter salmon that are going to spawn over a year from the time they entered the river) can also be found in small numbers. These fish are usually in good condition in June and most usually weigh from 6 to 8 kg.
The Sidorovka river is nestled within the Arctic circle, on the north bank of Kola peninsula. Raising from tundra, it flows into Barent Sea, running through a deep picturesque canyon in its lower section. The river is charming, the fishing is comfortable with good wading and few trees. Fed by melting winter snows and rains that fall throughout the rest of the year, its water runs crystal clear even during floods. The salmon fishing season starts in the early June when first fresh sea fish run upriver. The end of the season is in the middle of September, as fish start getting ready to spawn. From mid June until mid August there is light 24 hours long giving fishermen a chance to fish around the clock. Nature of Arctic tundra is rather severe, flora is poor, trees are very rare and mainly in the lower part of the river. The local fauna includes a few large mammals such as brown bear, glutton and reindeer. There are no permanent settlements in the area and the entire river is fished exclusively by fishermen at the camp. The only limitation is the distance you are willing to walk. The nearest city is Murmansk. Time zone as in Moscow (GMT+04:00)
At the beginning of the season we recommend 7 to 8 weight two hand or switch rods. By early July, the river is usually best fished with a 6 to 8 weight one hand rod or a switch rod.
Flies: Garry, Golden Killer, Snaelda, Green Highlander, Silver Doctor, Green Butts, Undertakers, Bombers, Hitch tubes, Red and Black Francis and Muddler Minnows, Nº 4 to 8 barbless hooks are about right for most of the season. If waters are low later in the summer you might drop down to Nº 10 to 14. Popular flies include: Golden Killers, Sun Ray Shadows, Surfers, Ally’s Shrimp, Thunder and Lightning, Mickey Finn, Yellow Ally, Willie Gunn, Green Highlander, Hairy Mary, Ponoi Reds or Greens, Bombers and Muddler Minnows.
Paradise Camp: Guests are accomodated in double tents with beds. Each tent has its own gas stove which is lit every afternoon before the guest return from fishing. Guests are served breakfast and dinner in a common dining tent. The camp has common bathroom building with a hot water shower and wash basins. The latrine is a wooden outhouse. There is no cell phone or internet coverage at the camp but guests may use the camps’s satellite telephone to make calls at an extra cost.
Paradise Camp is strategically located in a canyon about 4 miles up river from the mouth of the Sidorovka, in Russia’s Kola Peninsula. To get there guests fly into Murmansk on commercial flights. From there they are transferred by road to a helicopter port in Lovozero where they will take private helicopter to the camp on a flight that takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Location: Paradise Camp is strategically located in a canyon about 4 miles upriver from the mouth of the Sidorovka, in Russia’s Kola Peninsula at a latitude within the artic circle. Kola Peninsula in northern Russia.
Season: From June 6th to september 5th.
Best dates: From mid-June to mid-August.
Nº of rods allowed: 6.
Fishing techniques allowed: Fly fishing only. All fish captured must be released.e pesca sólo a mosca y se se debe devolver todos los salmones pescados con vida al río.
Species: Atlantic salmon, sea-run brown trout, resident brown trout and pink salmon
Note: In order to travel to Russia, travellers must obtain a visa issued bythe Russian embassy. PescaTravel offers assistance with visa processing.
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