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A Great 2012

Across the board, the 2012 season has been a resounding success! 

With an Arctic beginning to envelope the Kola Peninsula, it is yet again time to close the door on another Ponoi salmon season.  These last few months have been nothing short of spectacular.  The first half of the season proved both remarkable and challenging, owing largely to erratic fishing conditions and weather.  An incredibly early ice-out kick-started the summer run, and brought some fine bright fish into the system right off the bat.  Due to the early spring, the first week of the 2012 season proved the 3rd best on record, and boasted an average catch of 67 fish per rod!  Even more noteworthy was the size of some of these early catches, most memorably several 20+ lb beauties, and a 29 lb leviathan that measured 42 by 22 inches!  This beast proved the largest ever Spring fish taken on Ponoi.

Thrown into the early-season mix of foul weather were periodic bluebird days that rose well above 27 degrees C, so the full spectrum of less-than-ideal salmon fishing conditions was in effect.  In response to all of these hurdles, Ponoi anglers still managed 37 fish per rod per week as the spring average.

Through the season, we welcomed into camp a roster of talented anglers, both first-timers who fell in love with this river, and numerous old friends and long-time champions of Ponoi.  PRC owner Ilya Sherbovich again had the pleasure of fishing alongside his father, Victor, and son Kostya, thereby carrying on a multi-generational salmon tradition.  There were guests and friends from Russia and abroad in the Guest House seemingly each week, and we were fortunate to host Murmansk’s new regional governor, Mrs. Marina Kovtun, who showed her fly-fishing skills by landing and releasing several salmon during her brief session on the river. 

The mid-summer break saw our mechanic team and guides hard at work tuning up boats, engines, and facilities in preparation for the always-exciting fall.

August on the Kola nearly always proves an amazing month due to great weather and the arrival of the fresh fall run.  This August was no exception, and on August 4^th we experienced the first taste of what was to become the finest fall run in the history of Ponoi.  An early weekly average per rod of 40 fish was just a hint of what lay in store.  The sun shone bright over Ponoi, both literally and figuratively, but sunshine couldn’t slow the fishing.  The remarkable numbers kept mounting.  Week 17 broke the all-time record for a fall week with an amazing weekly average of 73 fish per rod.  All tolled, the 2012 fall run produced 5 record-breaking fall weeks; when you consider that this is a 21-year-old fishery with an unrivaled reputation for numbers, the magnitude of the 2012 salmon season really resounds.

As amazing as it sounds, the 700 and 800 fish weeks started to look “normal” at a point this fall, and the upward trend held until the bitter end.  The last 3 days of the 2012 season produced 169, 178 and 207 salmon respectively for the lucky anglers fishing Ryabaga camp.  The season produced an incredible 9500 salmon landed, with an average of 35 fish per rod per week for the season against the 30 fish average for the last 20 years.  It’s been a record year in many ways, a fact documented most notably in the happy faces coming up from the river after each fishing day.  Across the northern tier, it has not been an easy Atlantic salmon year; it is therefore all the sweeter to have witnessed this record run of fish on this indomitable river.

The entire Ponoi River Company team has done a magnificent job.  The individual effort of each man and woman on staff has contributed to this result.

The team has dexterously navigated extremely long days, short nights, endless meetings, and the advent of unexpected twists and turns, always with an eye towards producing the very best salmon angling experience for our clients.  I am very proud of the Team we have at PRC.  I cannot thank you all enough for your professionalism and dedication.  To our Border Patrol Team, our Mechanics, our Camp Staff, our Murmansk Office Team, Management Team, and entire Guide Team…  thank you all for a tremendous season!

Special thanks go to Ilya for his ongoing support and guidance, and to my family, Pata, Santi and Simon, for their understanding in allowing me to do what I love.

Can’t wait to rig my rod next May and discover what the 2013 spring will hold!

Best to All,

Steve Estela

For further information and to book your rod/s for next season please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 1 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk.

2012 Down…             
 
At the conclusion of Day 1 last week, the anglers were unsure what to expect of our final week of the 2012 salmon season on Ponoi.  Their concern was not unfounded:  were the 20 keen sportsmen going to be stifled by rising dirty water, wind, rain, and biting temperatures?  A total of 32 salmon landed on Sunday, September 30 did not bode well for the week, but the guide team stayed resolutely optimistic.  The Ponoi, in all her glory, could not possibly switch off so quickly due to a mere shift in conditions.  The mighty River has proven her mettle several times this season, reminding us all how quickly the water can return to a fantastically fishable condition.  And so it went.  Great success was had by one lucky angler, Ekaterina S., who landed her first ever Atlantic salmon on the fly.  On Day 2 the fishing stats tripled, and the pace continued throughout the week.  By Day 3, figures rose to 169 salmon landed!  For the last three days of the season, Ponoi anglers landed, respectively, 190, 209, and 198 hard-hitting brawlers. Most of the fish were very fresh, entering in on the recent tides at the mouth of Ponoi, as evidenced by the sea lice still clinging to their flanks.  Such sea-liced fish were even in evidence as high up in the system as Kolmac!  In hindsight, it is difficult to remember a season when nearly 900 salmon were taken within the stretch from September 30 through October 6.  This year is truly a memorable one.  The annual total for 2012 exceeded 9,000 salmon…  a banner year, to put it lightly (note - previous very high years have been 13,000 or 14,000 fish but with more rods and no break at all in the season. We expect 2013 might be the all time record for fish per rod)
 
Many familiar faces joined us this week, including several of our Russian friends.  Most notably, Alexander V. and Dmitry P. basked in the late season glory.  William D. and Stephan M. were back after a hiatus from their longstanding habit of annual attendance in Ryabaga.  New to Ponoi were four anglers from the USA, who joined us in camp for their first taste of Atlantic salmon fishing.  Congratulations go to Carl B., Richard T., and Alan and Paul S!  It looks like these four gentlemen will join us again next year to build on the foundation of salmon angling they initiated this last week.

The leaves are down and it is mostly dark now on the Kola Peninsula.  It does not feel as though we will see the sun again until the end of next May.  The mechanic team will remain at work tirelessly through the harsh weather of the next week, striking the camp and putting it all to bed for Ryabaga’s long winter slumber.  It is a somewhat sad time on the Kola, as things slow down and fall silent once more.  As I sit here and watch it all slowly shift, I am afforded the chance to review the season with some perspective, and to reflect on the bounty of this place.  Down below me right now, in the heart of the river, swims the future.  Not only does the potential for the 2013 season fin there beneath the dark water, but so does the seed of another generation of salmon, and salmon anglers.  Here in this vast place, the world’s finest Atlantic salmon fishery grows quietly stronger, in response to the work of the people who cherish it.  I feel personally grateful to play a role in this complex web.  It is a magnificent dance in which we anglers, the salmon, and the Kola itself, are partners.  I wish you all a debt of thanks, and congratulations, on another season.  It has surely been one for the record books, and one to remind us all that what lies in store for the future is something wonderful indeed.

It only leaves me, and I am sure you will all agree with me, to thank the team both camp and office - they have been fantastic this season again and have made the week for many a guest. We are truly proud of our staff and the job they do and Ryabaga would not be what it is without them.
 
Warmly,
Matt Breuer
 

The Russian Salmon Association
 
Ilya Sherbovich, owner of Ponoi River Company, attended the penultimate week of Ponoi angling, 2012, to host a group of friends that included three key players in the conservation of Atlantic salmon.  In his Tuesday announcement to the Russian Salmon Association, we learned that Executive Director Gennady Zharkov and three founding members of the Association, Alexander Abramov, Vladimir Ribalchenko, and Ilya Sherbovich, will be taking salmon conservation to a new level in Russia.  Proposed efforts ensure that in the near future, several thousand companies and individuals will join the crusade to protect Russian salmon populations.  Please stay tuned to future posts to understand how you too can become involved.
 
Alexander Abramov, noted Russian entrepreneur, businessman, and adventure angler, joined us in Ryabaga this week as a personal guest of Ilya.  Abramov took keen interest in a river to the west of camp that is known to hold a good population of large Sig.  Abramov, ever the explorer, was eager for an exploratory mission.  On Sunday, a crew that included Max Mamaev, Ilya, Abramov, and myself, was dropped off for an investigative float in two inflatable rafts.  At a deep bend, Ilya and Alexander hooked and fought several elusive Sig.  Max and I fumbled a few of these fish bankside, much to Ilya’s chagrin, and in the end we returned to Ryabaga with two Sig.  In the interest of science, the kitchen staff prepared the fish for Ilya, Alexander, and several onlookers.  The overwhelming response of the camp gourmands instigated a plan to return to the river for a re-supply, in the interest of camp provender.  We planned a Thursday jaunt and divided into two teams of anglers for a friendly competition:  Owner and Head Guide vs. CEO and Ryabaga Camp Manager!  Ilya and Max hit pools on the lower river, as Steve and I fought to land a few in the upstream hole (which we dubbed “Sig-nificant”).  In the end we returned to RYA with 17 Sig, with catches recorded thus:  Ilya 7, Matt 5, Max 4, and Steve 1 (though Steve did manage an astounding number of Ice-Age trapped native brown trout).  Despite tremendous brown trout fishing, on this expedition the ‘German’ fish were considered an incidental catch.
 
Back on Ponoi, an average of 19 anglers did battle with some gnarly Ponoi silver.  In total, the likes of Michael, Rodion Demerdzhi, Nikita Mishin and his daughter Elizaveta (landing her first Atlantic salmon), Dima and Katya Chekalkin, Sergei Alexeev, Len (for his first of two weeks), Jane (for her third of three weeks), and John (on his 30th trip to Ponoi) landed 725 salmon for the week under challenging conditions.  What with the overall relaxed pace of the week, such a catch number is truly impressive.  Mikhail Krupeev took the biggest salmon of the week; a stunning 20 pound cock fish!
 
Vladimir Ribalchenko, in his second year as owner of the Atlantic Salmon Reserve on the Northern Rivers of Kola Peninsula, visited Ryabaga this week with his son Vladimir.  The father/son duo landed several salmon including a 17 pound bright fish taken by Vladimir the younger.  Not to be outdone, Vladimir Sr. was invited by Ilya to play in the second and final round of the 3rd Annual Ryabaga Poker Open.  The game stretched into the wee hours, and in the end Ribalchenko came out in second place.  In a tremendous gesture of kindness and sportsmanship, he donated his winnings to the RYA team tip pool.  The victor of the Open was none other than Volodia Lihodolskiy.  Natasha Lihodolskiya will likely enjoy the fruits of the $2,300.00 prize, though, as it was noted that not long after winning, she was perusing the latest women’s fashions websites.
 
When poker wasn’t occupying evenings in the Big Tent, the newly-completed Ponoi Museum was the favorite distraction of Ryabaga attendees.  A visit to the new museum is the perfect way to understand the rich history of Ryabaga from the earliest days of 1988 to present.
 
It was truly a special week on Ponoi.  The fun-loving nature of Ilya’s guests, Peter Federov’s goldenseal-and-berry-infused vodka aphrodisiac at Thursday’s dinner, and a meal of fresh-caught ‘Sig’ were just about enough to put me over the top.  When asked by Ilya if I felt better than usual due to the fabled goldenseal concoction, the answer was clear: it would be hard to feel anything but perfect whilst in the company of great people, on a great day, accented by great food and drink.  What could be better?  I think nothing…  well, perhaps a sampling of the 2005 Napa Screaming Eagle generously given to Ilya by Jon, but that, as they say, would just be gravy!  To round it all out, Ilya, Steve, and I raised a glass to the outstanding efforts of staff and guests alike for this momentous and record-breaking season on Ponoi.  All have risen to the occasion, time and time again, and in order to ‘salute’ the season in perfect harmony, the skies over Ryabaga were set ablaze with some 900 hundred mortar rounds, which exploded in unison, exhibiting the celebratory tone of the final evening of our penultimate week, 2012.
 
Warmly,
Matt Breuer

September 24, 2012
 
Never Better!
 
In yet another phenomenal week of autumn fishing, the anglers of the Ponoi River Club (aka ‘Syndicate Week’) landed an amazing 873 salmon for 12 rods…  By any standard, numbers like these are simply amazing, especially when you consider the 73 salmon per angler average last week.  And they just keep coming!  It is safe to say that this has been the greatest Syndicate week in Ponoi history.
 
Lovely autumn weather has accompanied the incredible angling on Ponoi this season.  Weather this past week was unusually warm for this time of the season.  The water temp was steady at 8-10 degrees C., and though the descent of winter is showing in the leaves, the days remain pleasant and clear.  The Gods of angling are no doubt smiling down upon us.
 
In the absence of MC Hacker, Jeremy B. took the reins, and filled his predecessor’s shoes with aplomb.  Under Jeremy’s watchful eye, each day truly proved to be “A hell of a day on Ponoi.”  In keeping with the sporting philosophy of the ‘Syndicate’, and incidentally to hone the competitive edge of the guide team, anglers this week pooled 60 dollars nightly to award to the guide who landed the biggest fish of the day for his ‘sport’.  The winning guides were respectively: Ruslan – 19 lb, Big Dan – 19 lb, Tolik – 17 lb, Kiki – 18 lb, Big Dan – 17 lb, and Tolik again with a 19 lb salmon.  Well done guys.  Looks like we know who will be footing the bar tab this week!
 
The storied Syndicate party is a long-awaited opportunity to sample some of the finest culinary delicacies of the year.  As always, a succulent array of salmon dishes took center stage, and there was no shortage of silky Ponoi Lox on this bountiful week/year of salmon angling.  Mixed tables of guests and staff enjoyed beautiful wines provided by Patrick Q… thank you so much for those Patrick!  In keeping with tradition, the culmination of the party occurs when delegates from each represented country sing their national anthem.  This seasonal rite has evolved into a competition worth $100.00, and, much fortified with wine, angling success, and national pride, the joyous revelers keep the Big tent humming late into the arctic night.  Sadly, Steve Estela was not able to attend the party this year, as this week found him in Helsinki on PRC business.  His voice on behalf of Argentina was sorely missed.  And although PRC Owner Ilya Sherbovich was on hand to lead his Russian Delegation in the stellar performance of the Russian Hymn, they were no match for Matthew Solon’s solo performance of The Irish National Anthem.  He and the lovely couple from the Ukraine, Sasha and Olga, took home a hundred bucks each.  Congratulations to you three for your gallant patriotism!
 
Nightly toasts and jokes were a real pleasure as Randolph and others graced us with a bit of racy humor; there was even an island Calypso performed by Randolph for all to hear.  Such was the nature of the week: laughter, song and friendship ringing out across the river as longtime friends and anglers celebrated the very best of Ponoi.  It is weeks such as this that leave us sunburned and happy, with sides aching from laughter and arms aching from the pull of autumn chrome.  There really is no finer feeling in this life.
 
So we look forward at the next two week’s fishing, and the final weeks of the 2012 salmon season on Ponoi.  Need we say it again, this fishing this autumn has been stupendous, but there is more, much more, that is making 2012 a season to remember.  It will resonate as a time of good friends, great food, and camaraderie.  It will remain a time in which we stood together, well aware that some of the finest fishing that the river has ever seen is right here on our doorstep.  And it will of course remain a time when we sit back, raise a shot of vodka in praise of Salmo salar, and realize that there is even more of the same right around the corner.
 
With that, Nastarovia!
 
Matt Breuer
 

DESROCHES ISLAND LODGE LIMITED ACQUIRES MANAGEMENT OF ALPHONSE ISLAND IN THE SEYCHELLES

Monday 24th September 2012 – Desroches Island Lodge Limited is pleased to announce the acquisition of management for Alphonse Island, part of the Alphonse Group of Atolls in the Seychelles.  The management acquirement is effective from the 1st October 2012.

Located 440km south west of Mahe, Alphonse Island and St Francois atoll have earned an enviable reputation as a highly respected fly fishing destinations, perfectly complimenting the spectacular game and fly fishing available at Desroches Island.  “The attainment of the management contract of Alphonse Island prior to the exciting start of the 2012-2013 fly fishing season enables new and established guests to experience the enhanced service and improved conveniences that visitors and fishermen to Desroches Island currently enjoy.” Enthuses Keith Rose-Innes, Resident Fishing Expert at Desroches Island.

Voted as ‘One of the Top Ten Remote Hotels in the World’ by Forbes Magazine, Desroches Island is commonly referred to as ‘Paradise Perfected’.  The luxurious accommodations as well as excellent facilities have all attributed to the island obtaining a desirable number of accolades.  “Desroches Island Lodge Limited is delighted with the attainment of management for Alphonse Island.  This procurement increases our portfolio of outer islands within the Seychelles.  Management at Desroches Island are globally trained to deliver an exceptional high standard of service on a continuous basis, ensuring all guests experience an enjoyable and memorable stay.  We aim to bring our international managing skills to Alphonse Island and aim to create and offer fishing aficionados an exclusive and diverse range of packages by combining the offering available at both islands.”  Exclaims Mark Leslie, General Manager for Desroches Island.

The 2012-2013 fly fishing season promises to be a fruitful one and will see Desroches Island Lodge Limited creating a platform for further enhancements and creating exciting opportunities for Alphonse Island.

As many of you know, we have been advising our clients that for the upcoming season the resort would be undergoing renovations that would make the resort an appealing option to both non-anglers on vacation as well as fishermen seeking the ultimate in sporting luxury.  We’ve just been notified that the construction has been put on hold and that everything will remain as it has been for the past two seasons.  In short, there will be no surprises in store when your charter flight touches down on the Alphonse runway; the same A-Frame accommodations, dining and bar area, fishing centre, guides and management team.  There may be some minor changes as the season progresses, but at this time everything will continue as in seasons past.

Of key interest is that as a result NON-FISHERS will be welcome this season and well looked after as they have been in the past. As this season progresses, and during the next off-season, upgrades will be made to benefit all. Alphonse Island is back to being a non-fisher friendly destination and will only get better.

For further information please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 1 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk.

September 17, 2012

A Week For Howard

Another record-breaking week transpired this past week of the 2012 salmon season.  An astounding 954 fish were brought to net by Ryabaga anglers in search of autumn silver.  Silver is what they found in quantity, with 90% bright fish aggressively taking flies from Kolmac all the way to Hard Curve.  To give you an idea of some of the pandemonium that ensued last week, one salmon took Gordon M.’s fly with such voracity that the line sliced his hands, cauterizing a gash in his index finger that will have to serve as a worthwhile trophy.  Unfortunately, the fish ripped line so hard that Gordon’s full G.Loomis/Abel outfit was dragged into the icy waters of Ponoi, never to be seen again (at least not this week)…  Geoffrey, Gordon… if we find the outfit, we will happily keep it here for your use next season!

To add further spectacle to the fishing of this past week, observe the following testimonial from angler John W: 

“Thanks again for a truly tremendous week – it was a privilege to be there when the fishing was so amazing. You probably don’t know but I caught 26 fish in my last day and a half of fishing with Sergei and Little Dan – who were both quite brilliant. For instance, I picked up 7 fish of between 9/10 and 15lbs on Thursday PM in a rapid at Upper Tomba – in the windows – it was electric – rod nearly being pulled out of my hand on the takes...  all thanks to Sergei knowing exactly where to drop. Often I can now spot good drops myself but I would never have thought we would catch fish in some of the places we stopped. Fantastic. And to catch 18 in a day with Dan.... what can I say? Overall I only caught two dark fish out of 63! A lot were sea-liced... All the guides I fished with were great – please pass my thanks on again to them all.”

Jon S. and Hubert P. enjoyed their second consecutive week in camp this season, which allowed both to really capture the essence of the Ponoi.  On his ultimate day, Jon landed not one, but two salmon of 17 pounds each! During the remarks of the last supper on Friday night, Steve Estela, CEO and Managing Director of Ponoi River Company, stood and spoke in recognition of Jon’s years of attendance in Ryabaga (since 1991).  In a show of gratitude for Jon’s loyalty, Steve presented him with an engraved Danielsson HD Nine-Thirteen fly reel.  The inscription reads:  “JS PRC Loyalty Tribute”

Ryabaga welcomed back Terry of Ireland and his guests David & Rosemary of England.  The trio took pleasure in the comfort of the Guest House, a new addition since their last visit in 2006.  The Guest House is the perfect retreat for those anglers who enjoy the creature comforts of a private bathroom and an extensive bar, among other amenities of this luxurious Ryabaga gem.  Terry’s party also included four brothers from Ireland:  Joe, Niall, Greg, and Mark.  While Mark and Greg opted for the Guest House supplement, Joe and Niall opted for the cozy nature of the famed Ryabaga canvas wall tents.  For those who sleep under canvas, there is nothing finer than the smell of fir and spruce smoke wafting through the air, or the crackling sound of splinters of kindling taking flame at 0630.  What a way to begin a crisp autumn day of fishing. 

It is the mystery of the river, only the river knows, the river that winds over the eastern portion of the Kola Peninsula, the river that offers food, refuge, and suitable habitat for the salmon to live out their lives in quiet harmony.  We will always wonder what lies beneath, and when the next salmon will take the fly.  And for one man who passed last week, the answers are no longer unknown, for he is in a better place now.  And we will truly, truly miss him, as he touched us all with such generosity and joy.  And now he knows the answers to the questions we still ask, and now he is where he can see all.  Thank you Howard; my life is better having had you in it.

Kindest Regards,

Matt Breuer and the PRC Team

September 10, 2012

An(other) Autumn to Remember…

This autumn of 2012 is turning out to be nothing short of spectacular.  As the Ponoi actually is incomparable, it may be worthwhile to take a moment to compare today’s river to the Ponoi of yesteryear.  Looking back over the years in review of other Week 15’s, we have to rewind to 2002 to see a Week 15 catch of such magnitude.  To put this fact in sharper perspective, the 21-year average Week 15 catch per rod is 25.  The average catch per rod this past week tipped out at 45, totaling 932 salmon for 21 rods.  In fact, we have just experienced two of the best Autumn weeks in the history of Ponoi in succession!  Looking forward, this bodes very well for the Spring of 2013…  make note that this fall run foretells record-breaking catches in the coming June.

Some notable stats pertaining to the angling of last week:

-Peter joined us for his second autumn week, and his fourth overall this 2012 season.  His personal catch totaled 203 salmon to round out his season on Ponoi.  What could be finer than catching so many salmon?  Perhaps a beautiful lunch date with fishing partner, Paul…  the duo sipped oakey Chardonnay overlooking the river, and savored the delicacy of a perfectly grilled piece of salmon.

-Martin landed a 20 lb fresh salmon in Lower Tomba with Graham and Guide Sergei Bistrov.  Graham landed three 10 pound ‘clean’ fish off of “pink point,” when the trio decided to break for lunch.  Having spotted a fish boil above the point, Martin abandoned his lunch, grabbed his modest 16-footer and decided to cover the spot once again.  First swing through, wump-bump…  second cast a solid take.  Some ten minutes later and five attempts to bring the beast to net, a beautiful specimen of a clean cock fish was photographed and released.  In total, Martin landed 63 salmon for the week, second highest score for the week.

-Robert and Giles of England arrived keenly primed for their fifth week on Ponoi.  The father-son duo are a pleasure for me to guide each season, as we hem and haw over politics, sporting of various persuasions, and, with the addition of my new pup, dog rearing and training.  Their week’s successes were acutely obvious as Robert took the floor out from under me to sing praises of the guides with whom they fished through the week.

-Michael and Dominic did battle alongside each other as they enticed salmon upon salmon the entire week through.  Only on one fateful day did Michael really hand it to Dom, as Dom only took four salmon to Michael’s 16!  Together the pair landed over 100 salmon!

-Longtime Ponoi guest Jon S. fished with great skill all week.  At 78 years of age, he looks decades younger.  Jon fishes a single-handed rod with the distance and accuracy of a double-hander.  He fished a white Muddler spun on an upturned eye Mustad 80525 salmon hook, and in this manner took salmon after salmon, much to the dismay of guide Barrett Mattison.

-Top Rod for the week was Henri of France, with 66 salmon landed.  Oddly coincidental is the fact that Henri enjoys solitude, and the 100% attention of his guide.  For this reason Henri opts for the single-guide, single-boat option.  Is this the reason for his uncanny success?  Does he fish both sides of the boat of each drop?

-Alan Maughan and Tarquin Millington-Drake captured the final takes of their video production for the 2012 season.  So efficient were their efforts and planning that Tarquin shot 20 seconds of Michael’s final fish of the week, yet another clean 20 lb salmon, taken under the artful guidance of Anatoly Vaulin.  “Tolik” worked his magic throughout Gold Beach this week, finishing the week off on Friday with 24 salmon.  Well done all! Also note that while fishing for the camera, TMD caught 49 fish from the bank or wading fishing mostly from lunchtime onwards proving that the need for boats on the Ponoi is a complete myth.

Also noteworthy are the great efforts being made by the PRC Management team to guard the Ponoi from our upper territory border at Kolmac to the treasured estuary at the mouth of the river. 

As I write this account of our week 15 fishing, here on a quiet Sunday afternoon in camp, I am brought out of my reporting trance by a guide pounding down the office door.  Once he finally turns the knob to gain access, I see that it is none other than Danilla Podolsky.  He traipses across the office floor with sand caked boots and a broken 15-footer in his hands.  It seems that one of the 26 fish he and his anglers landed today took a last minute run straight under the boat, crumpling the Z-Axis rod…  For the story next week, please stay tuned.  With this I am convinced of the continuation of this momentum that is the Ponoi Autumn Run.

All the best to you and to the salmon!

Matt Breuer and the PRC Team

There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse.  Either is a gain over just staying home.  ~Roderick Haig-Brown, Fisherman's Spring, 1951

September 3, 2012

The Autumnal Spirit Rages On…

Regardless of the fishery, it can be dangerous to look back over seasons and compare catches.  Often, you find yourself falling prey to that ‘it just ain’t what it used to be’ mindset.  That said, the Ponoi is not just any fishery.  This week on Ponoi, we learned that the best may be yet to come!

11 South African anglers arrived in camp this week to experience the heat of the fall run.  10 of these anglers were new to Atlantic salmon fishing altogether.  Keith Rose-Innes, former head guide at Ponoi, hosted the group and witnessed a spectacular week of angling.  Over the last 21 years, ‘Week 14” on Ponoi has achieved an average of 20 fish per angler for the week.  The 2012 ‘Week 14’ exceeded this average with an incredible average of 35 fish per rod, beating the record Week 14 catch of 661 salmon with a whopping 703 fish to net!  This noteworthy week was commemorated during Friday’s dinner, when Petrus and Peter graciously toasted the guide team and the management team for their hard work and attention to detail.

Peter fished through the week with Graham, and the lucky duo will stay on for another week of fishing on the fabled Ponoi.  Peter touched upon that fact that those who hold a title, such as the title of a record Week 14, must turn up again on Week 14, 2013 to defend the title!  Three board members of the American Museum of Fly Fishing joined us this week as well.  David from Maine succeeded in landing, on two consecutive days, 20 pound fish riddled with sea lice.

We were pleased to welcome Sergey Ivanov, Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, to Brevyeni, where he fished alongside Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun.  Ruslan Ryadovkin expertly guided the party into some Ponoi silver.  PRC Owner Ilya Sherbovich was in camp as well, to host a group of friends.  Nikita put up an epic session on Tomba, landing 13 salmon.  Ksenia, Dmitry and Fedor all caught their first Atlantic salmon, and achieved great success off the water in foraging mushrooms.  Young Kostya Sherbovich did his father proud in taking 2 bright fish of 12 and 15 pounds on Tuesday.  Kostya expertly hooked and played these fish without assistance, and showed a bit of the family’s knack for salmon fishing.  Ilya Sherbovich enjoyed the successes of his family and friends nearly as much as the fishing itself, and he was thrilled to see son Kostya take his personal best salmon, the fish of 15 pounds, alongside Uncle Nick Sigov. 

On a personal note, I was able to join in a float trip to the Rova River, a fantastic remote tributary of the famed Yokanga.  The trip, planned by Ilya in celebration of Nikita Mishin’s birthday, proved a huge success.  From the Mi171 drop off point, a two-boat flotilla wandered into the remote reaches of the river, and anglers discovered tremendous brown trout fishing on skated muddlers and mouse patterns.  A signal fire marked the pickup point and we pulled the boats as Nikita and Ilya continued to catch wily brown trout on dry flies into the dusk of the North Kola Peninsula eve.

In all respects it was a momentous week on Ponoi.  The complexities of the early season are giving way to the rewards of fall.  It’s hard to imagine a fall run getting much better, but then again, the Ponoi is full of surprises.  It will be my pleasure to report on the successes that still lie ahead for the 2012 fall salmon season.

All The Best!

Matt Breuer and the PRC Team

So far this week, the 20 rods have had an extraordinary week's fishing with 325 fish caught in three days of which 80% are bright, fresh fish. At this time of year the percentage bright is usually 50% to 60% and the catch per rod about 25 fish per rod. The numbers of fresh fish are climbing daily and we are set for a week well above the average.

Needless to say a great autumn (we are not finished yet but so far so good!) usually indicates a strong spring so after poor years in Canada, Iceland and even the north of Russia in 2012, it is great to have some really good news on the salmon front.

Have a look at some of the wonderful fish being caught.

For further information please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 1 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk.

August 27, 2012
 
Whoa, Fall Run!
 
This week, Ponoi River Company owner Ilya Sherbovich invited two long-time Alta River guides to the mighty Ponoi.  Per and Bjorn M., two Norway natives and storied anglers, were fortunate to experience what turned out to be the best ‘Week 13’ of the last 20 years!  In comparison to a 20-year average catch rate per rod of 20 fish for Ponoi’s historic week 13, this week saw a remarkable average of 29 fish per rod.  A near 50% increase in catch rate speaks to the reality of a noteworthy fall run, as does the tally of 300 bright salmon landed this week, most exhibiting flanks blanketed with sea lice.
 
The Wade Black group joined us in Ryabaga for the first time this week, bearing guests from Ecuador, Panama, and Texas.  Nine first-time salmon anglers found uncommon success on the water, and uncommon comfort off of it.  Service and cuisine continued to be presented with a flourish, and this group of new guests was dually impressed with the excellence of the Ponoi experience.
 
High-ish water and cool weather did little to dampen the spirits of fish or fishermen this week, and guides adjusted tactics aptly to maximize higher flows.  Maxi’s ‘Pot-Bellied Pig’ and the trustworthy ‘Ponoi Nail’ turned the trick this week, swung on floating heads with fast sink-tips.  With increased water volume and current, guides went right after fish with the aggressive tactics Ponoi is known for, and judging by the numbers, this approach proved wise.  Guests were pleased to see the hovercraft in use this week, and a lucky few were able to explore the farthest reaches of PRC waters under the masterful piloting of Sergei Zhurin.  It was something to see:  in the midst of this vast wild place, a space-age craft replete with siren whipping up and down the length of the river!  Yet another example of Ponoi’s individuality.
 
David G returned to camp this week for his umpteenth trip to Ponoi.  He was thrilled to find his favored ‘Tent 16’ recently fitted with a new floor and freshly trimmed appointments.  David found the changes exactly to his liking, and he sought the solace and tranquility of this home-away-from-home in the short stints that interrupted his battles with feisty, fall run Ponoi salmon.
 
Though the fishing is showing itself to be increasingly noteworthy, David’s pleasure at the status of camp illuminates a focus on recent improvements.  Currently, camp is in its finest-ever condition, with the physical plant running optimally and service being executed without a hitch.  Chef Cataldi continues to garner praise, and to delight both staff and guests with his creations.  The boats are in peak form, the guide team is in fighting trim…  we are poised for the best fall that Ryabaga has ever seen!
 
On a final note, Ponoi has received some noteworthy press of late, not the least of which highlights favored Ponoi personnel.  The current issue of ‘Fly Fusion’, Canada’s premier angling periodical, features a shot of the legendary Tommas Sordelli setting up a Spey cast in Ryabaga waters.  Moreover, the Fall issue of ‘The Atlantic Salmon Journal’ boasts a feature discussing angling tactics on Ponoi, penned by Ryabaga Manager Matt Breuer.  These and other examples of Ponoi in the press simply highlight what we here on the Kola have long known:  the Ponoi River is the finest Atlantic salmon destination of the modern era!  We hope to share it with you soon.
 
Until Then,
Matt Breuer