The Rivers of the Kola Reserve
The Lumbovka & Kachkovka Rivers are the two
most
exciting
additions to the Atlantic salmon fishing scene since the Ponoi
The Fly Shop® recently joined a cadre of professional fly fishing pioneers led by Stephan Dombaj of Fly Fishing Nation on a mission to determine whether rumors of the existence of two phenomenal, untouched and completely private Atlantic salmon fisheries on the northern coast of the Kola Peninsula were true. Adding to the intrigue and speculation was the fact that both rivers flow north into the Barents Sea at a point only slightly southeast of the trophy laden Yokanga and the northwest of the prolific Ponoi. They are dead center in the heart of a region famous for trophy-sized Atlantic salmon, remarkable numbers of grilse, and huge Osenka (fall run) Atlantics.
The Lumbovka and Kachkovka are the nucleus of the newly-minted Kola Reserve. They are completely private and have been designated catch-and-release, fly fishing only fisheries that will forever remain shielded from poaching, commercial harvest, and exploitation.
Minutes after the helicopter arrival from Murmansk at the recently completed Lumbovka River Camp, the talented reconnaissance team were all dressed for the occasion, had their rods rigged, and were busy launching spey casts toward the far bank of the home pool.
The first to connect was team member, Justin Miller. He had two fish on the beach before the rest of the crew could get their rhythm. Everyone else in the group soon followed suit with trophies of their own and, by the end of the first day, it was very clear that the Lumbovka River harbors a healthy number of large Atlantic salmon.
The exploratory angling team focused on the two rivers for the remainder of the summer, joined occasionally by the owners of the Kola Reserve. They continued filing detailed, daily reports on their angling success, the water and weather conditions, and recorded nearly every moment of their thrilling fishing experience on film.
Simply expressed, what they found left little need for exaggeration! Both the Lumbovka and its sister river, the slightly smaller Kachkovka, are definitely cut from the same cloth as the other magnificent Atlantic salmon fisheries in the northern Kola. It has now been documented that they share the same large fish and that each cast has the potential to sink steel into fish well in excess of twenty and possibly even thirty pounds as well as substantial numbers of smaller Atlantics and grilse.
A lengthy autumn intel-gathering expedition has been planned in 2019 which will include some of the most notable anglers in the sport, and by the opening of the 2020 season the few remaining questions regarding the Kola Reserve rivers will have been answered. At that point we'll have a more accurate measure of the strength of both fisheries, the length of their seasons will be nailed down, and the Kola Reserve will have a better grasp on the numbers of fall run Osenka present in both rivers. Too, they'll be able to put finishing touches on their angling program.