Rybaga Camp – The Ponoi River

Ryabaga Camp, the Ponoi River

Kola Peninsula, Russia - Incomparable Atlantic Salmon Fishing

Experience the excitement of a true wilderness location, yet an oasis of comfort, hospitality and fine cuisine. A totally wild Atlantic salmon population thrives here; the efforts to care for the stocks show markedly positive results. At Ryabaga Camp, you will also find a team of people whose attitudes to service, work ethic and team spirit are second to none. The Ponoi is one of the few rivers left where catches are recorded in thousands and even the slowest weeks exceed an entire season’s catch elsewhere. Perfect for salmon anglers of every age and ability and those with limited mobility.

Fishing

Fly fishing and catch-and-release only. Over 50 miles of double-bank water accessed by 17-ft jet boats and hovercraft for more distant beats. Highly skilled international guide pool. Options for endless wading or casting from boats with anchor drops. Outstanding home pool.

Accommodation

Guests enjoy single occupancy cabins with en-suite bathroom, 24/7 electricity and Wi-Fi; queen bed with comfortable mattress, duvet and down pillows. Meals are in central dining tent with bar/lounge area and adjacent fly shop. Sauna, massage room, drying room and museum documenting Ponoi history.

Gear

Double-handed Spey rods are the norm (14’ for 9 wt. is perfect); floating and/or sink tip lines; flies range from double hook traditional patterns to small tubes to skated dries, depending on water temperature and conditions. Chest waders, warm layers and rain gear are a must.

Ask The Expert

Toby Burrell

Tarquin Millington-Drake

Richard Scrope

Leigh Buches

Mollie Fitzgerald

Trip Specifics

Located above the Arctic Circle at 67 degrees N, access is via Helsinki with chartered flight to Murmansk, the point of entry to Russia. From there, a 2 hour Mi-8 helicopter across the tundra to camp. Frontiers assists with flights and en-route arrangements including visas, required for most guests.

Rates

$7,490-$15,490 per rod for 7-night/6-days, depending on date + charter flight Helsinki/Murmansk/Helsinki $1,250; Season: late May-early October. Includes all meals, accommodations, 6 days guided fishing (1 boat/guide per 2 anglers), licenses, helicopter transport from Murmansk. Sat-Sat turnaround.

Ask The Expert

Toby Burrell

Sporting Travel Specialist

Tarquin Millington-Drake

UK Managing Director

Richard Scrope

Sporting Travel Specialist

Leigh Buches

Program Manager

Specializes in the Ponoi and Iceland fishing programs, and Elegant Journeys.

Mollie Fitzgerald

Co-Owner

Specializes in Atlantic salmon fishing programs and heads up Elegant Journeys.

Learn more about Ponoi

News

Ponoi Season Report.

Another week comes to an end in Ryabaga, but this past week was an especially significant one, as it was the last week of our 2018 Ponoi salmon season. As we said farewell to our last group of guests we had the usual feelings of accomplishment and sadness; that said, we were yet again pleased to look back over a fantastic ending to a great season.

This past week we welcomed a group of 20 anglers in Ryabaga. We started the week with ...

Ponoi River Report

The resounding motto for Week 17 was “Another Great Week on the Ponoi!” The Ponoi River Club once again convened last week in Ryabaga, and each night Jeremy B. shared a few words about that day’s fishing, recounting the adventures and misadventures of the day and noting the catch count and exceptional fish. At the end of Jeremy’s report, all in attendance raised a glass with the words “it was a great day on the ...

Ponoi week 16 report

As Autumn presses on the tundra covers itself with a blanket of gold, and the night skies astonish us with dancing greens and purples. It was among these spectacles that we welcomed a new group of guests to Ryabaga last week, all of whom were eager to experience the thrill of Ponoi’s fall-run salmon. Some of these anglers were new to our special river, while others have experienced the wonder of Ryabaga several times before. We were ...

Week 15 Report on Ponoi

Last week’s fishing could certainly not be described as “easy”. The condition of the river was close to ideal and the weather was good, and by all indications the “catching” should have been comparatively easy. That said, though guides and anglers were seeing fresh fall-run salmon moving up the river, it seemed that the fish were not interested in stopping. There are few circumstances in salmon fishing more ...

Week 14 News Report on Ponoi

On Friday night the entire kitchen staff made a grand entrance into the Big Tent and presented a beautiful birthday cake to guest Rok L., who is arguably the best working guide on Slovenian waters. All present were eager to join in the songs and toasts, and every guest was pleased to be a part of making Ryabaga Camp the most celebratory and welcoming place on the tundra. Guest Nick B. stood to present PRC with a magnificent piece of artwork ...

Russia - Ponoi - Week 13 report

Frontiers' own, Leigh Buches, had the great opportunity to fish on the Ponoi River this week. Here is her take away from the week.

"In the face of strong winds, storms, and tough conditions, the Ponoi still yields a worthy catch, along with lasting memories at Ryabaga Camp and an outstanding wilderness experience." - Leigh Buches

The following fishing report was created by Ryabaga Camp Manager, Agustin C. Lo ...

Ponoi Week 12 Report The Fall Run

During the 12^th week of the 2018 salmon season Ryabaga Camp was host to a wonderful group of Finish and British guests. For the second week in a row, our dear friend Erkki M. was in Ryabaga along with his special group of colleagues and friends. Wonderfully, some of these folks were in camp to chase Atlantic salmon for the very first time, and needless to say they returned home with their wishes both fulfilled and exceeded. Several ...

Russia - Ponoi - Fishing report week 11

This past week we welcomed guests back to Ryabaga following the midsummer break, and we resumed fishing full-throttle. After a month-long heat wave that affected all of Europe (including the Kola Peninsula), we returned to a river that was experiencing a record low level, particularly for the first couple of days, but continued to produce nonetheless. The fishing turned out to be outstanding! The weather definitively changed by the start of ...

End of Summer Report - Ponoi 2018

This past week officially capped the first half of the 2018 Ponoi salmon season. As we move into the Midsummer Break it is interesting to note that though conditions were challenging through the bitter end of the first half, our steadfast guests remained resolute in their desire to make the most of the experience, and never lost hope that Atlantic salmon could and would be caught on swung flies. Despite challenging conditions, our group of 19 ...

Russia - Ryabaga Camp - Ponoi River Report Week 6

On Friday night, a full complement of diners sat in the Big Tent listening to Turo and Sylvian, who were representing the Finnish and French groups respectively. Turo and Sylvian regaled the assembled guests with their impressions of the week and of the greater Ryabaga experience, attempting to put into words what a week on the world’s finest Atlantic-salmon river feels like. Wonderfully, a theme of quality shone through in their ...

Week 2 news report of the Ponoi season 2018

Once again it is that time of the week when we pause for a moment to reflect on the last seven days. It seems that every time we slow down enough to look back, we arrive at a remarkable shared feeling of amazement. No better word describes the sentiment cultivated among both anglers and guides during a week of fishing the Ponoi River out of Ryabaga Camp. This feeling of amazement results not only from the sheer number of fish in the system, ...

The Opening of the Ponoi 2018

The 2018 season at Ponoi has, as expected, kicked off with a boom, the team racked up a nice score of 220 fish in the first 24 hours. Congratulations to Somerset Fell, aged 16, for landing the first fish of the season! The river was in great condition at the start but a big wind blew up and they had wind, sun and snow for some days which dirtied the water. However, after five days the total was still an extraordinary 900+ fish for the week so ...

Greenland and Faroese fishery deals secure...

May 28, 2018

Dear NASF supporter,  

Ten months ago, many of us travelled to Reykjavik to pay tribute to a legendary figure in the world of salmon conservation, Orri Vigfusson. At the time, we did not yet know what the future of NASF would look like, but we pledged to preserve Orri's legacy, to protect his life's work and, in doing so, to continue to work together to fight for the survival of North Atlantic ...

Russia - Ponoi - Week 19 - a superb seasons end...

Week 19 Report

Another Season Passes

The final week of the 2017 Ponoi salmon season has come to an end, and with impressive numbers of bright fish still pushing through our system, we were privileged to finish the year on a very high note.

As in previous weeks, the weather remained as favourable as can be expected for this time of the year, particularly as cooler temperatures and shortening days made the approaching ...

Russia - The Ponoi River - Fishing report for 12th to 19th August 2017

As Autumn Approaches - Week 12 Report

It is always a bit startling to realize how quickly the seasons seem to slip by on Ponoi. Already, as we approach September, the days are growing markedly shorter, as the sun takes a shorter path across the Arctic sky. As we reflect on our 12^th week of the 2017 Ponoi salmon season, the seasonality of this place and its fleeting summer bring mixed feelings. All in camp are eagerly ...

Russia - The Ponoi River - Fishing report for 17th to 24th June 2017

Week 4 Report

Things are Shaping Up Beatifully

Though water levels remained somewhat high to start, the Ponoi witnessed a steady drop over the course of this past week, and in turn the river was able to showcase a more typical view of itself. High water forced the guide team to remain nimble, but guests were nonetheless able to access many of the traditionally favoured spots, and great fishing was found throughout the 40 km of ...

Russia - The Ponoi River - Fishing report for 10th to 17th June 2017

Week 3 Report

June 18, 2017

After what was arguably the toughest week of fishing in the history of Ryabaga Camp, we entered the official third week of the 2017 season with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Though all who know Ponoi understand that the resource is incredibly resilient and the river returns to its normal glory very quickly, a late spring and similarly late ice-out had delayed the 2017 season significantly. By ...