Kharlovka, Litza, Rynda, Zolotaya – Russia’s Kola Peninsula

Kharlovka, Eastern Litza, Rynda and Zolotaya are all part of the ASR (Atlantic Salmon Reserve) on Russia’s Kola Peninsular. Whilst an extremely remote and unspoilt area, the rivers are both intimate and manageable in size. These northern rivers provide unique challenges to visiting anglers with the possibility for of salmon of over 40 lbs caught most seasons while fish over 30 lbs are caught most weeks.

Fishing for Atlantic Salmon on Russia’s finest rivers through ASR

Kharlovka with its sister river Eastern Litza, are two of the world’s most prolific rivers for big Atlantic salmon. The combination of big fish and the manageable size of the rivers is a great marriage when compared to other Kola destinations. Both wild and demanding they provide the biggest challenges along with some of the biggest silver rewards imaginable.

The Rynda and Zolotaya Rivers fall through more gentle gradients than the Kharlovka and Litza Rivers. There are some 75 interesting named salmon pools that require the angler to read the water and consider each cast. The successful angler approaches the fishing carefully in intellectual contemplation and, however experienced, listens to the guide. Some say the rivers are reminiscent of Iceland.

Although Kharlovka & Litza have twice the annual water flow of Rynda & Zolotaya – it is a stunning fact that every year Rynda produces nearly as many landed salmon. The difference is that the size of the MSW Atlantic Salmon is likely to be around 20% less. A 25lbs fish from the Rynda is more likely to be a 30lbs fish at Kharlovka and so forth. The best fish taken at Rynda was 42lbs whereas at the Litza it was 47.5lbs.

Comfortable and well appointed

The food is of the highest standard and the streamside lunches including the hot Russian soups are a welcome daily treat. All wines and alcoholic drink are inclusive, as is the laundry service in which everything miraculously returns pressed and folded back on your made bed the next day. If requested, and many days if even not, there will be a roasting hot sauna prepared for your arrival back to the lodge where rods can relax after a hard day of fishing. There are also nicely stocked fly tying facilities at both of the camps in addition to a complete selection of fishing gear should you need to borrow anything.

The Kharlovka camp has undergone a near complete facelift over the last 5 seasons. All guests are now accommodated in private wooden cabins with full en-suite facilities including warm heaters, drying closet, and 220V European two pin plug power points. The cabins are interconnected with the main lodge by an intricate network of walkways to preserve the fragile tundra below. Depending on the conditions, guests to the Kharlovka camp spend up to half their week fishing on the Litza River with some having the chance to spend the night there in the upgraded Tent camp.  A maximum of 7 beats or 14 guests a week will fish the Kharlovka and Litza rivers.

Over the last several years, the Rynda Camp has been improved to the highest standards. We have plans this season to enlarge the dinning room and build a new sauna. Peter has created an enduring tradition of organizing house parties to fish the Rynda who will continue to experience something extra special. Nowhere else will you see the meticulous attention to detail, evident throughout the whole ASR, displayed so prominently and hence the overwhelming popularity of the Rynda for those wishing to take ladies and or children. All 12 guests are accommodated in the most sophisticated and fully fitted private log cabins on the Kola Peninsula, with views looking onto the Rynda Falls and Home Pool.

On the wild and remote Kola Peninsula

The Atlantic Salmon Reserve (ASR) is the world’s first conservation area for Atlantic Salmon, Sea Trout, Wild Brown Trout and Arctic Char. The primary aim is to sustain and develop the fantastic Salmon and Trout fishing within this area, whilst preserving and protecting this pristine and uninhabited wilderness for the benefit of future generations.

Russia’s magical Northern Rivers within the Atlantic Salmon Reserve include the Kharlovka, Eastern Litza, Rynda and Zolotaya. They are considered by many to be some of the very best Atlantic Salmon rivers in the world today. They are all intimate and very unique in their character and size ranging from the challenging spring waters of the mighty Kharlovka and Litza to the charming summer pockets and pools of the Rynda and Zolotaya. While the Rynda river tends to produce almost as many salmon as the Kharlovka and Litza rivers combined they all have one special quality in common – the Northern Rivers are known for their Big Salmon!