Russian Rainbows - Bring Your Camera |
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Bring Your CameraKamchatka, like Alaska, is blessed with stupendous scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, so a good camera is as much a required piece of equipment as your fly rod. From the helicopter, and while on the water, anglers can expect good to excellent views of some of Kamchatka’s volcanoes (many of them active) along with opportunities to photograph big brown bears, Steller’s eagles, foxes, wolves, reindeer/caribou, moose and countless waterfowl. Be sure to bring a telephoto lens. If time allows, tour operators can arrange side trips to experience Kamchatka’s many other natural wonders and its interesting culture. There are nature preserves, volcano and geyser treks, natural hot springs, native dancing performances, museums, and open air markets and souvenir shops where visitors can view and purchase all manner of exotic goods, like locally carved wood and ivory, fur garments, amber jewelry, lacquer boxes, Kamchatka books and calendars and of course, excellent Russian vodka. 
Where To Toss The BagsTaking a trip to Russia is similar to going to any other foreign country these days; you’ll need a valid passport and tourist visa. Unlike many other places, however, you cannot go over and do an unsupervised, “do-it-yourself” vacation. You’ll need to hook up with a legitimate tour operator, of which at present there is only a handful catering exclusively to anglers. Most offer fully-guided, all-inclusive packages that begin from the main hub and seaport of Petropavlovsk, located on scenic Avacha Bay on the southeast coast. Travel to and from Petropavlovsk for the longest time was by direct flight service from Anchorage, Alaska, but for the last two years, a cancellation of flights has hampered the reliability of this convenient travel option. Many folks now access Kamchatka via connections from Seoul, Korea or Moscow, Russia, both of which can be easily reached from major hubs in Europe and the United States. Currently there are few choices as far as fishing programs go. One operation bases out of a rustic lodge on a famous river just east and slightly north of Petropavlovsk, and three companies fish out of elaborate base camps set up on strategic locations along some of the better rivers in the central part of the peninsula. All these operators use jet boats to access the most productive water. Anglers who want more adventure and time on the water can sign up for guided fishing expeditions by raft, exploring the remotest and wildest rivers in Kamchatka. It should be mentioned that all these sport fish operations are joint ventures between experienced American tour operators and Russian companies, so there is heavy investment in local economies and deep commitment to promoting an awareness of Russian culture and the natural wonders of Kamchatka. Many of the Russian guides you’ll meet on your trip are surprisingly adept fly-fishermen, but only a short while ago, their view of Kamchatka’s fishery resources did not extend much beyond subsistence. For most of the rivers, foreigners are required to comply with a strict catch and release regulation for all rainbow/steelhead trout. The Russians will keep some char or a salmon or two for eating, which they prepare in a variety of ways, all of them delicious. The cost of a trip to Kamchatka ranges from $3,500 to nearly $6,000 per week of guided fishing, depending on the program. Add to this airfare for travel to and from Russia, which can be anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the route and point of origin. Additional fees are the fishing licenses (from $15-25/day), visa processing ($100), and gratuities. Trip cancellation and medivac insurance are highly recommended and even required by some outfitters. As there are no real sporting goods stores or fly shops in Kamchatka, anglers must come fully prepared for their fishing vacation. All the tour operators provide detailed lists of the personal gear and fishing equipment needed for their adventures. Layers of synthetic clothing, expedition quality outerwear and breathable waders comprise the standard river uniform for most of the season, with the exception of the hottest months (June and July), when lightweight, bug-repellent clothing and/or head nets are sometimes necessary. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, bug dope and polarized glasses. Other Notes of InterestAbout RussiaFor additional facts visit: www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/rs/
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