Sea trout and Salmon Trip to the Strelna River

A sea trout and salmon trip to the fish rich waters of the Kola peninsula's Strelna river. The season begins as soon as the ice sheets have melted and continues until snow falls again in the autumn.The best period for salmon is the beging of May and into June and then again improves in September. Trout are found in the river year round. Expected catches for salmon are tens of salmon per week for a normal group and can easily be in excess of a hundred trout. Large pink salmon runs can on occasion cause problems with normal salmon fishing.

The Strelna is a river over 260 kilometers long that starts near the upper reaches of the Ponoi river. Further up the river the flow is calmer and between the rapids are deep pools. A fisherman can take for the camp fire one salmon and two trout per day.

For the fishing group about a 10 kilometers stretch is reserved from the mouth of the river upstream. The river is full of rapids in its lower part so good salmon pools are easy to find. Fishing is permitted from both banks and river crossings can be done in rubber boats. The river is well suited for flyfishing with both single and double handed rods and also for spinning tackle. It is extremely rare to see any other fishermen. The guides are always available to give advise on which pools to fish.

Equipment
Equipment for the spring and autumn , it is recommended to use double handed rods, large flies or tube flies. Spinning for salmon requires a stiff hefty rod and a large breaking strain line; large spoons and fast moving lures have proven to be effective. During other periods of the season single handed rods can be used. Large black streamers and various sized "tinsel" flies have been popular with the salmon and trout in the river.

Accomodation
Accomodation is arranged in a camp that is situated about 1km upstream from the river mouth. In the camp you can find a seperate canteen building, sauna and five cabins. The cabins are two to three berths and have electric heating. The trip begins from Kelloselkä at Sallas (Finland) in the morning at 07.00. Information on how to get there can be found in www.google.com or from Seppo Muttilainen. From there transportation to the Russian border will be arranged. After Russian border formalities the trip continues to Kantalahti where lunch is served. After lunch the trip will continue by car to the village of Varzuga, that is approximately 8 hours driving distance from the border. From Varzuga the group will be flown by helicopter to the Strelna camp where cabins are reserved for accomodation and a dinner will be served. Fishing can then start or you can relax in the cabines. On the final evening the group will return to Kantalahti where a stay in a hotel is provided and you have the possibility for a sauna evening and a dinner. After breakfast the trip back to Finland starts.

Fishing trip to the Strelna river
For groups please contact: seppo.muttilainen @ pp.inet.fi


The price of the trip includes:

• Return transportation from and to Kelloselkä
• Guides
• Fishing permits
• Meal on arrival at Kantalahti
• Trip by helicopter to the river
• Meals in camp: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Sauna
• Cabin accomodation
• Use of rubber boats on the river
• Hotel accomodation on the return trip, sauna, dinner and breakfast

The price doesn't include:

• Alcoholic drinks and refreshment drinks (Pepsi, Cola)
• Optional tips to the cook and guides

Pictures