FISHING & LIVING
Improvements for the 2004 Season
click on image for a larger picture |
|
This year rods will be deployed by an MI-2 and/or an MI-8 helicopter which means we can take up to 8 rods to Litza according to fishing conditions and bring them back to Kharlovka Lodge the same day without a lot of waiting around and with longer fishing periods. Litza Tent Camp will be planned for emergency use but camp there will be some camps outs by special arrangement.
We have made the dining and drinks area at Kharlovka Lodge more spacious for this season and are currently giving consideration to a new "Club" house about which we would like your views this season. In 2003 we completed the first phase of the new accommodation development with four single and four double cabins each with their own bathroom. At the start of the 2004 season the foundations will be in place for the remaining six single cabins and the Camp Managers complex. By the end of the season up to fourteen (14) single rods will be able to use the new facilities. We wish to more to encourage lady partners and young people in 2005. See ASR Youth Program.
|
Kharlovka Camp Lodge
 The camp comprises snug wooden buildings situated in a sheltered birch wood adjacent to the Home Pool. There is a main lodge containing a relaxing lounge and a dining facility where our chef and his staff prepare much appreciated meals. The Club area offers a bar and a fly tying den with plenty of quality material and the tools needed to create the 'fly of the day'. Both beverages and alcoholic drinks are complimentary. The camp contains 7 comfortable heated cabins that are 4 singles and 3 doubles with two separate shower and toilet facilities. As befits Russia the lodge has a wonderful sauna where rods can relax after a hard day of fishing.
A full laundry and housekeeping service is provided in order to make your stay as comfortable and hassle free as possible. In all there are up to 15 people in camp comprising guides, support staff and management. Their purpose is to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the camp for the duration of your stay.
 The camp operates a MI-8 and a MI-2 helicopter maintained and serviced to the highest available standards by our in camp team of helicopter engineers and pilots.
Uniquely on the Kola the ownership team are present in camp during the season ensuring the maintenance of the highest possible standards. The fishing Managers at Kharlovka will be Per Stadigh for Week 23, followed by Niall Ballantyne for Wk's 24, 25, 26 & 27, followed by Justin McCarthy for the last 10 weeks of the season. They are highly experienced salmon anglers and their combined technical and river knowledge is of powerful benefit to guests.
As always Volodya Kulagin, Director of Operations, will be based at Kharlovka Lodge insuring the smooth running of field activities supported by our General Director, Viktor Koretsky, in Murmansk.
Litza Tent Camp
 Our field camp is situated overlooking Tent Pool on the Litza and comprises a Mess tent, staff tent and two accommodation tents. There is also a picnic table for fine weather dining. The camp is managed throughout the season under the direction of the legendary bear hunter and tundra man Vasilij. The tents are floored and contain comfortable beds. The camp has a HF bases station enabling radio coverage in the Litza area.
According to conditions, guests that might wish to over night at the Litza Tent Camp often can do so. This makes for a special outing with exciting night fishing on this prolific and stunningly beautiful river, plus the extra bonus of Vasilij's famous 'Tundra cuisine' where caribou and local herbs are important ingredients.
The Fishing Programme
 We operate a team system of one guide and two anglers. Our local guides are 'tundra-smart' with intimate knowledge of the area and with all skills needed to ensure safe and enjoyable days out. Their English is good. We are proud to have these dedicated and hardworking men onboard. After a hearty breakfast, each team is deployed by helicopter at the beat designed as per the rota on either of the Kharlovka or the Litza rivers.
The Guides are long standing experts on the rivers, they know where the fish lie and the flies and techniques to catch them in all water conditions. They are fully equipped to support your days fishing. A hot and rich lunch is prepared on the riverbank.
In the late afternoon the rods are flown back to camp for drinks, dinner and stories. If they wish guests may continue to fish after dinner in the Home Pools, or indeed further a field if accompanied by their guide. There also is high standard trout and char fishing in the vicinity and guests will be facilitated if they wish to enjoy this experience.
Clothing
 Our camps are 250 miles above the Arctic Circle and over the course of the season we are subject to wide variables in temperature conditions. In general terms it is fair to say that June will be cold to temperate with some rain, July will be dry and temperate and August is temperate with a bit more rain. Changes in weather can be swift and remind much of what one would expect on higher altitudes, further south. Like in alpine situations the principle of layered clothing, in our view, is the by far most suited when fishing this far north. With a system of wicking thermal underwear, fleece/wool in layers and an outer shell of wading jacket/waders it is easy to quickly adjust to the swings in weather. A fleece collar or a bandana, fingerless mittens and a warm hat are obvious parts of the kit. An extra sweater for rests, or as backup, can be carried by the guide.
Now when breathable waders have become so good we rarely use neoprene's any longer, not even in the early season. The fishing is such that more time is spent on dry ground or in shallow water than when wading deep. Rather than becoming damp and cold in neoprene's after a long hike, the Gore-Tex type waders keep you dry and warm. It is easy to adjust the warmth with fleece - early the full bibs are recommended.
 Wading boots should have felt soles with our without studs. For increased ankle support in this rather demanding landscape, where a certain amount of hiking never can be avoided, we much prefer stocking foot waders with separate quality boots over conventional boot foot waders.
For camera gear, liquid and snacks, and extra fishing gear we recommend that you bring a small daypack rucksack. When fishing in pairs you at times might be some distance away from your guide - then it is good to have something of your own.
Mosquitoes start to appear from early July and sometimes can be numerous enough to call for a head net and/or repellents. Due to the sparse vegetation they rarely become a serious nuisance on our northern rivers.
Another piece of kit to bring are ear plugs. Helicopters, per definition, are noisy and ear plugs make a vast difference when flying around the territory.
Tackle
Rods and reels and lines are again very much a question of personal taste. It is essential that reels contain at least 200 yds. of well maintained backing and that they have a reasonable drag system. Many of our fish are large and unusually strong - given the chance they often run out long lengths of line. Double handed rods in 14-16’ for line weights #9-12 are favored in the early season and 12-15’ in weights #8-10 at summer height. A single handed rod for #7-9 lines is perfect for dry fly and other surface oriented tactics, although much of this can be done with the double hander too. A 15’ #10 rod would be the ideal all rounder. We keep a good stock of SAGE rods, along with reels etc., in the camps for the clients' use. A broken rod will not spoil your holiday!
The new Windcutter type lines with interchangeable tips cover most situations, with the addition of 550-700 grain heads for the really early work. Later on a light standard sinktip or a full floater is about all one needs.
As to fly selection it again varies with the season. Early on bigger and gaudy tubes, like Garry Dogs and Willie Gunns are called for, with Sunray Shadows tubes soon to follow. The tubes are fished with Loop type double tube hooks. Salmon are salmon and all the old favorites from home will have their day. We feel that fly size and presentation overrules patterns. Experimentation is one of the joys of fishing and stone fly nymphs and even trout flies have been used to great effect. Our American friends also have proven the worth of Bombers and riffled Muddler type flies.
Clear nylon or fluorocarbon in breaking strains 12-35lbs will take care of the business end. Please bring a pair of good pliers to help release fish when you are on your own.
|
click on image for a larger picture |
|
Medical
 We have a fully qualified doctor in residence throughout the season. In addition certain of our staff have basic medical training. In the event of more serious needs we would generally expect to reach a hospital in Murmansk by helicopter within two/four hours. If necessary hospitals in northern Norway or Finland can be reached via air ambulance.
Communications
Both fixed and tented camps are equipped with HF radio linked to all other camps and to the head office in Murmansk. Sometimes guides can communicate by VHF radio to the camps and with each other. Generally guests are fishing within walking distance to the camps for the guides. When we venture beyond walking distance, to Kharlovka Park for example, we plan to use hand held satellite telephones. The in-camp hosts have satellite telephone/fax that can be used by the guests in emergency.
Safety
We always recommend the use of life jackets especially when using boats for river crossing and these are readily available to guests. It must be clearly understood that salmon fishing in fast flowing rivers is a dangerous sport. This is especially so in isolated tundra conditions and made all the more so by the use of helicopters. We use all reasonable efforts to properly maintain our equipment and train our staff in matters of safety however all visitors must understand that safety standards in the wilderness may not always meet those they are used to.
Gratuities
 We recommend you try to forget about commerciality and join into a house party atmosphere. There is no charge for drinks of any kind and all necessary gear or clothing will be lent to you without charge. Our stock of flying tying materials is at your disposal to make your own flies - indeed you can ask your guide to make your special fly for you. Even the use your host's satellite telephone is free for short genuinely important calls. In return, if you happy with our staff and the service they have given you, we would like you express your appreciation in your tip to the staff.
Any information contained in this website is produced in good faith but is only a guideline.
The Kharlovka Company Limited cannot be held responsible should the information be subject to change.
KHARLOVKA COMPANY LIMITED
11 Pushkinskaya Street, Office 13-H, St.Petersburg
191040 Russia
Multiplex Internet Services
|
