Welcome to Sporting News

This past week, guided by Sergeo Bistrov on Tomba, guest Terry hooked, on a short line, the biggest fish ever caught in the spring on Ponoi at 29lbs. This fish would have been over 30lbs when it arrived in the autumn.

Judging by its colour it arrived once the water was cool (therefore remained silver) and has spent the winter waiting for Terry!

Well done Terry!

For a full report on the recent week on the Ponoi with words and photographs by Tarquin Millington-Drake please click here.

June 11, 2012

What Does Spring Fishing On Ponoi Mean?

During the second week of the 2012 season, the tundra is starting to go green with tiny leaves on the birch trees.  The advancing spring always brings with it warmer temperatures, and the endless arctic days that allow anglers to fish the famed Ryabaga Home Pool through the midnight hours.  Spring in Ryabaga is the time when anglers are met with the pleasure of catching seemingly countless salmon on any given day, and it is a springtime rule that guides rarely lay down the net.  In addition to numbers this week, though, it was the size, strength, and shape of the fish that over-wintered under the ice that was a true testament to the quality of Spring fishing on Ponoi. 

Water levels during our second week of the season slowly came into shape, dropping inches day by day.  As structure and lies became more evident, the skilled Ryabaga guide team put a combined lifetime of angling know-how to good tactical use.  Seeking out ideal drops or the best wading, anglers had the pleasure, particularly early in the week, of introducing Ponoi salmon to skated dry flies.  This most coveted and exciting angling method worked well through the moderate flows of the week, and proved to anglers that the fish on this mighty river are brawlers through and through.

I had the privilege this week of once again guiding the acutely funny Howard Strowman.  In between rhymes, limericks, and yarns we managed to eke out several fine salmon, including a 14 and a 15 lb fish deep in the thalwag of Kolovai’s “Black Rocks” pool.  Fishing a 500 gr. Teeny and a large Max’s Tube, Howard, as usual, went against the grain of “conventional wisdom”.  While other anglers skated their dries, Howard maintained his conviction in the heavy stuff, and pressed on swinging the depths.  Moreover, he took great pleasure in the success he found bucking the trend!  Nick Sigov and I revived the Argentine disco, and prepared a fantastic bank-side lunch for Howard and friends that included a filet of beef with onions and mushrooms and a lovely Tempranillo.  We finished the meal with a smooth Partagas D4 Cuban, proving to all present that life cannot possibly get much better!  At week’s end, Howard stood tall and proud and rose his glass to the efforts of the entire Ryabaga team, offering an accolade for the service, care, and attention that each individual puts forth.  Thank you Howard, for your heartfelt acknowledgement!

Among the guests this week was Alan Maughan, who was commissioned by Steve Estela and Tarquin Millington-Drake to join Week two-and-three  anglers in capturing even more Ponoi action for an addendum to the Gin Clear Media production of “Incomparable Ponoi”  (available now for viewing at:  www.ponoiriver.com. This footage will support the full feature film as a list of video bullet points to enhance a viewer’s picture of the Ponoi experience.  

Among other bits of news this week, angler Ian Morgan landed what may well be the salmon of a lifetime.  After a lengthy battle, Ian’s 19 lb cock fish was brought to net by Big Dan Shelekov.  This fine fish, taken in such a unique and beautiful place, will not soon be forgotten by Ian, or by Big Dan for that matter.  Peter Barlow joined us for his first this season, and bore witness to the progression of a Kola summer and likewise to the steady increase in surface action.  Timo of Danielsson Reels joined us as well, and put some of Sweden’s best craftsmanship to the test.  Rest assured, Danielsson reels have brought more than one feisty Ponoi fish to bay.

Spring on Ponoi means numbers, and we posted a catch of 750 salmon this week having actually had some tough winds and dirty water.  The quality of fish approaching the summer run is remarkable, and it will be something to see just what enters the system in the coming weeks.  Spring means the return of old friends, and the chance to remember that relationships grow in this special place year after year.  But perhaps more than anything, spring on Ponoi is a time to remember that any and everything can happen on this mighty river.  We look forward to sharing the miracle of the Ponoi River with you in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Matt Breuer

June 4, 2012

The Platinum Package:

I know from ample experience that when traveling coach-class, jockeying for overhead compartment space and sufficient legroom can prove a maddening experience.  To add insult to injury, coach riders must peer forward as the Platinum, Elite, and VIP travellers stow overstuffed “fair share” wheelie bags, sip chilled champagne, and are tucked lovingly into their cushy seats by well-heeled stewards and stewardesses.  My time in the trenches, crammed into a coach seat while sniveling over my allotment of salted peanuts, affirms for me the fact that we should all at times be afforded the privilege of first class.  Which is why, in Ryabaga Camp, guests are treated as the elite travelers and anglers that they are.  The Platinum Package is what we serve up here on Ponoi.

I must say that Ponoi guests got the full treatment in this the first week of the 2012 season!  Though high-ish water prevailed this past week, the river showed its truest colors, and guides and anglers boasted an astounding 876 salmon!  Even with a sharp rise in water level due to heavy rains mid-week, the fishing never faltered.  Water temps started in the low double digits and dropped to 7 degrees C through the week, indicating that we have yet to see the river in peak form.  Despite the early conditions, the Ponoi produced a bounty of salmon. 

The first week of the season is often somewhat frenetic for the management team, but despite my brimming schedule, I could not refuse the request of Joe Monro and Billy Pickard that I serve as their guide on Friday.  In my day on the water, I was fortunate to revisit the reason why I love this place so much:  wonderful guests, astounding solitude, service and cuisine to die for, and a river that literally teems with fish.  It was with much gratitude that I spent a memorable day with Joe and Billy, afforded in large part by the willing and capable assistance of Ryabaga’s new hostess, Jess McGlothlin.  Jess has taken to her position like a natural, and is proving a skilled hand at assisting in the management of operations on the ground in Ryabaga.  She has done a fantastic job interfacing with clients, guides, and staff alike in her very first week on Kola. 

Whilst fishing in Hallway, Billy Pickard landed a fantastic fish of 17 pounds, closely resembling a fresh autumn fish, even though it clearly overwintered under the ice.  Billy lost another large fish that same day, and he will certainly seek its equal next year, promising to try his hand at the Autumn run.  Again, guides observed remarkable colour and quality in over-wintered fish, indicating that Ponoi salmon stocks are, as assumed, growing stronger by the year. 

Once again, guides looked to their chief Max Mamaev in dialing in fly choice for the week.  Hitched tubes did some damage on the swing, and the woolly “Max Tube” proved the pattern of choice, in larger sizes with higher profile dressings.  Yellow and orange bucktail, tinsel bodies over copper tubes, and a bit of palmered black rabbit at the neck and throat were the key ingredients for success, and the early season fish hit them hard.  Off river, the tenor in camp was equally bright and exciting.  All on hand bore witness to the culinary mastery of Chef Alex Cataldi, who delighted guests, guides and staff with a catalog of dishes fit for royalty.  We on staff best all watch our waistlines if Alex continues at this rate.  Marina, Ryabaga’s new barmaid, did an exemplary job in setting a festive tone in the big tent, serving drinks and introducing guests to the ancient Incan game of ‘Perudo’.  Not to be outdone, guides and guests (mosty from the UK this week) allowed Marina in on the subtleties of ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’, and some spirited games kept the Big Tent ablaze in good will late into the arctic night.

The mechanic team for 2012 is led by the indomitable Sergei Zhurin, and Ryabaga regulars Genia and Sasha.  These gentlemen have been joined by the capable Yuri Varakan and Alexei Sidenko, and the entire team has been hard at work refining the varied tools in Ryabaga’s quiver.  One of new boats in the fleet, Salmon Leaper, was fitted with a custom transom designed by Sergei Bistrov and fabricated by Alexei Sidenko, and finished with fantastic new four-stroke Mercury 40 HP engine.  This re-configuration allowed me to make the trip to Kolmac and back on one 6-gallon running tank, a testament to the dedication of green initiatives and conservation that are so important to our experience on Ponoi.  The skill of the mechanic team is highlighted by exemplary work ethic, knowledge, and prodigious strength.  The team was instrumental in the successful completion of a seamless camp set up and the arrival at “all systems go”.

After this first week of guests, inspection of Ryabaga shows a camp fit for the most discriminating angler, gourmand, world traveller, or aesthete.  Ryabaga anglers are indeed afforded the Platinum Package, as they continue to add the record books, making history in the world of Atlantic salmon angling.  We look forward to the arrival of all guests, and the opportunity to provide the experience of a lifetime upon and alongside the greatest salmon river in the world…

Matt Breuer and the Ryabaga Team

Photo - the Ryabaga Guide Team by Jess McGlothlin.

The Ryabaga Ponoi season has started with a bang. The team of 14 rods have caught 456 fish in the first three days not including yet the success in the magnificent Home Pool.

Our picture (credit Jessica McGlothlin) is of the guide team, 8 Russians and 7 foreign guides - a truly high quality team with worldwide experience with decades of experience on the Ponoi.

Could the huge bumper years of 2002 and 2003 be returning?!! Very exciting.

For further information and current availability please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 5 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk

Matt Breuer, the manager of Ryabaga Camp, on the Ponoi reported a great start to the season with 146 fish to the 14 rods in camp.

All those watching these reports who are about to travel can feel very excited to be headed to Russia!

The air temperature was 15 degrees on Sunday with a water temp of 10 degrees.

Skated flies must be the order of the day any moment!

For further information and current availability please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 5 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk

Update of Ryabaga Pre-Season Operations:

May 22, 2012

As I write, Alexsage Orehov and his canine companions are packing up and getting ready to make the trip back to the village of Kanevka.  This ‘changing of the guard’ in many ways formalizes the arrival of summer in Ryabaga, and the summer crew is operating at full throttle as they gear up for a great season of salmon fishing on the Ponoi. 

The news from Ryabaga is exciting, to say the least.  Extreme warm weather on the 16^th and 17^th of May caused massive melt on the tundra, and the staff watched nervously as the water levels near camp rose through the night.  Eventually, all on hand “wadered-up” in an effort to rescue the plethora of equipment in the Ponoi arsenal.  Once the engines were stowed and the moorage, hovercraft, sawmill, and firE-wood stocks barricaded in, all on hand breathed a sigh of relief.  The waters are now receding back to manageable flows, though the flood nearly reached the record levels of 2010.  Fortunately for, the high water flushed out the remains of the ice, and the river is back to fishable condition.  Cool, clear nights prevail, and with the clarity of sky and water, several eager guides have taken the unique opportunity to swing flies under a midnight Arctic sun.

Underway is the refitting and tuning of all boats in the fleet.  Boris Machnev and Sergei Bistrov are leading the charge on engine tuning, testing, and mounting as the guides scrape and paint hulls, clean floors, scrub carpets, rig oars, wash coolers, etc.  All boats have been outfitted this season with electric bilge pumps, to keep matters dry and trim.  Once new transoms are designed, constructed, and welded, the brand new fleet of 1860 Lowe Roughnecks will be fitted with new 40 hp four-stroke Mercury jet units.

A few guides ducked up the Purnache last night to have a cast.  Dan Podolsky landed a fine specimen of 9 pounds to start the season off right: it is simply amazing how bright and strong the over-winter salmon remain!  Water clarity and temperature in the main river are coming into shape, and it looks as though the first week of anglers will be met with ideal conditions.

Already our Head Chef Alex Cataldi is producing such delectable new treats: his brioche, aptly painted with an egg wash applied after the proofing, may well be my undoing.  This specialty is as fine as any Parisian baker could produce, and it is so buttery-rich that it is a decadent treat in and of itself.  Tonight, the guides and mechanics will also sample a new roll with olives and capers, and I am sure they will approve.  Supply officer Sasha Cheplukhov has been put to the test as Alex has challenged him with the task of finding ever more obscure ingredients for this summer’s menu.  We may just have to import and hand-feed our own ducks for this season’s foie gras!

As Saturday approaches, the Ryabaga crew is as busy as a swarm of bees.  There are so many tasks that go into the launching of a season, and the Ryabaga team leaves nothing to chance.  When the first Mi8 of the season touches down and deposits its wealth of guests, camp and the river will be in top form.  Those lucky few that sample the Ponoi’s wares for the first of 2012 are certain to make some salmon memories.  And we, the staff and guides of the Ponoi River Co., are all so eager to be part of it!

Best,

Matt Breuer and the Ryabaga Team

The Week of May 12-19, 2012

Weather Conditions:

The weather early in the week was beautiful with some cloudy weather and rain late in the week.

 Air Temp: 78 to 85 degrees
Water Temp: 80 degrees
Wind: East/Southeast for the first half and variable with some rain later in the week.

Tides: Rising tide in the a.m. to just after midday as the week progressed.

Moon Phase: Last quarter moon on the May 12

We had another great week of fishing and the big tarpon are definitely here.  Nearly all anglers jumped tarpon this week and two also landed permit.  David H., of the UK, missed a Grand Slam when the tarpon came unhooked after a 15 minute battle. 

The week started with a group of guys from South Carolina jumping into the swimming pool shortly after their arrival and then watched as one of their buddies fished to a tailing permit 20-yards in front of them. Julian made a couple of nice casts, but in spite of encouragement and advice from the gallery, his line didn’t come tight.  

Father and son Tim and John D. from Calgary, Alberta, had an exceptional week with Dubs. They dedicated most of their time sight fishing for tarpon and permit and had multiple permit shots, but no tight lines. Tim hooked a 100 + pound tarpon early in the week which he fought for 45 minutes before executing a “long-distance release.” He remained determined to land a big tarpon and boated a 150-pound fish on his last afternoon. John did well bonefishing, as did Tim. 

Long time friends Kevin J., Julian L., Collin R., Drew R. from South Carolina along with Trey W. from North Carolina, and Mark M., from Virginia had an outstanding week’s fishing with Michael, Pops and Capt. Trey and Mark started slowly as this was their introduction to saltwater fly fishing. Both landed their first bones and the rest from the group landed several bonefish, had multiple good shots at permit (including the swimming pool fish), jumped 8 tarpon and landed 4, all big fish.

David H. from London had an excellent week fishing with Dion. David started his week hunting bonefish and caught more than a dozen. David missed a Grand Slam when he landed a permit and bonefish early in the day and then hooked and fought a big tarpon for 15 minutes before losing it.

Karl K. from Texas fished half a week with Daniel and dedicated his time mostly to sight fishing for permit and bonefish. He landed several bones including one nice fish of at least 5-pounds.  Karl got several good shots at permit but didn’t manage to hook one. 

All-in-all, an excellent week.

When you turn the page on your calendar, it will suddenly be June.  It’s the time for wedding gifts, graduation gifts and our Summer and Fall Angler’s Special.  

June 23-Dec. 22, 2012

Double Occupancy Fishing Package - $2,656 + $203.72 (tax) = $2,859.72 per person

Single Supplement Fishing Package (single room and private boat/guide) - $3,808 + $284.48 (tax) = $4,092.48 per person

Combination Fish/Dive Package - $2,856 + $220.71 (tax) = $3,076.71 per person

For further information and current availability please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 5 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk

For 2012 tides and moon phases, go to http://destinationsbelize.com/belize-tides-next-year.htm.  They are for Belize City, but pretty close to what we get on the atoll. 

The Week of May 5-12, 2012

Weather Conditions: Warm and sunny with a light breeze

Air Temp: Averaged 81 degrees F with a high of 89.5 F
Water Temp: 82 degrees F
Wind:

Tides:

Moon Phase:

The week was sunny with blue skies and had a prevailing breeze from the East which kept the temperatures comfortable. The fishing was great; anglers had multiple opportunities to get a Grand Slam this week, as the migratory tarpon are here and they are feeding.  This week we had the first three “Grand Slams” of the year.

Earl M. from South Carolina spent his week fishing with guide Dubs. Earl, a very accomplished angler, dedicated his time mostly sight-fishing for tarpon, big permit and big bonefish.  Earl had multiple opportunities on the flats seeking the illusive permit from the boat. Earl had several permit take his fly and managed to land one.  Earl also had great shots to rolling tarpon; he did not manage to land any, but had great shots. Earl also landed a couple of nice-size bonefish.

Walter M. from South Carolina spent his week fishing with guide Michael. At the beginning of the week, Walter said “I am not an early starter, but I am a strong finisher.” He started the week looking for bonefish and caught several nice four pounders. As the week progressed, Wally had multiple great opportunities at permit and landed his first. He had several shots at tarpon but did not manage to connect.

John K. from California spent his week fishing with guide Dion. John, a very determined angler, was up at sunrise fishing the flats in front of the cabins and the last one off the flats in the evenings, had two “Grand Slams.” John started the week getting multiple opportunities at permit and hooked several, but didn’t get one to the boat. Later in the week, John managed to get a Grand Slam with a tarpon that was more than 100-pounds. This tarpon fought for over an hour. John went back and managed to get another Grand Slam and almost got a third Slam by the end of the week.

Fred S. and Bill D., two long time friends from Texas, spent their week fishing with guide Daniel. Bill and Fred dedicated most of their time to hunting for illusive permit to try to fulfill Bill’s dreams of catching one. They both had several great shots at permit and Bill was so excited to land his first permit ever. Fred also managed to land a permit, but his picture is a little different because he also got a Grand Slam by landing a tarpon and bonefish that same day.

James W. from Los Angeles spent his time fishing with guide Alex. Jim has been fishing freshwater for years and this was one of his first saltwater experiences for bonefish. He spent most of his time in search of bonefish and landed several including his first ever caught. Jim also spent a little time in search of the migratory tarpon and had some good shots, but didn’t manage to land any.

Michael G. from Utah spent his week fishing with guide Capt.

Summer and Fall Angler’s Special

 June 23-Dec. 22, 2012

Double Occupancy Fishing Package - $2,656 + $203.72 (tax) = $2,859.72 per person

Single Supplement Fishing Package (single room and private boat/guide) - $3,808 + $284.48 (tax) = $4,092.48 per person

Combination Fish/Dive Package - $2,856 + $220.71 (tax) = $3,076.71 per person

For further information and current availability please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 5 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk

Since I was at Los Roques these past days, I inform you as follows:

Good numbers and size of bonefish. Had a group of 8 and 6 of them told
me it is the best place on earth for saltwater.

They also had a very good number of tarpon. Almost every day they had
tarpon. Baby tarpon and big ones too.

We saw permit everyday and anglers had a media of 3 to 4 shots to them.
Only one angler caught one about 25 pounds. He was using an avalon fly.

One day, your clients Niles told me they had 6 different species in a
day, tuna, barracuda, blue runners, tarpon, bonito and of course, bonefish, as
I recall.

Swenson seems to bring dinner everyday to the lodge. The other day, he
brought a 15 to 20 pounds snook.

In some areas, we have seen large bonefish (5 to 8 pounds) and in
others, smaller ones (3 to 4 pounds) but seems that larger ones are more
common as the anglers told me each night.

Regards,

Ramon

For further information on Sight Cast, Venezuela, please contact Tarquin Millington-Drake on 0845 299 6212 Ext 5 or at tmd@frontierstrvl.co.uk

Our last group of the season to Desroches was the Vacek family who returned with these great images and catches that they shared with us. Always nice to see the young-guns getting involved, upstaging the parents in the process...

Congrats on some great catches from all at Frontiers.