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, Global Destination Specialist

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

Learn more about Ponoi

News

Russia - Ponoi - End of the first half of the season

This week Ryabaga Camp celebrated Week 7 of the Ponoi salmon season with a full house. Most of our guests this week were new to Ryabaga, and they hailed from all points of the globe: some came from Kuwait, some from Ireland, some from the USA, and some from the UK. One special guest, Xie X., ventured to Ryabaga in pursuit of her first Atlantic salmon, and managed to land a fine fish just minutes into her very ...

Russia - Ponoi - Last few remaining rods

We have the following space left on the Ponoi for the season:

17th to 24th August - 3 Rods

31st August - 7th September - 4 Rods - Join Tarquin Millington-Drake for a week of amazing fall run fishing.

28th September - 5th October - 1 Rod

If you are interested in discussing any of these weeks please get in touch with our team member below and they will do their best to accommodate ...

Russia - Ponoi - Week 6 Report

This past Saturday around 2 PM the Mi8 again landed at Ryabaga, and a host of 21 eager anglers set foot on the banks of the Ponoi. Among the group were mainly old friends, some from France, some from the UK, and a large contingent from Finland. This lovely group was compiled by one of Ryabaga’s most veteran and loyal guests, Erkki M.

Erkki has been coming to Ryabaga with friends and family since the very start, some 28 years ...

Russia - Ponoi - Summer Run in Force

As mid-summer approaches on the Kola Peninsula, another week of salmon fishing comes and goes. This week, Ryabaga Camp welcomed a group comprised largely of new Atlantic-salmon anglers who arrived in camp to see some non-typical conditions. Ryabaga waters rose dramatically early in the week, impacted by heavy, sustained rain that brought the water level up four feet overnight. Luckily, the river remained fairly clear, and with visibility ...

Russia - Ponoi - Week 4 Report

This past week, Ryabaga Camp welcomed a diverse group of dedicated anglers from Russia, USA, UK, Bahamas, Sweden, and Australia. Most of these guests have visited Ryabaga in previous years, and some have fished with us many times. I am pleased to report that once again Ryabaga and the Ponoi lived up to expectations: though the fishing was not terribly easy, the week’s anglers went home with an average catch ...

Week 3 Ponoi 2019 - Season Report so far

When a person has done something many times, it can become easy to think that there are no “firsts” left to be seen or experienced. It seems to me that when a person starts to get comfortable in this sort of thinking, life finds a way of conjuring up a “first”, just to remind us that we haven’t seen it all.

This past week, Ryabaga welcomed a group ...

Russia - Ponoi - The Arctic Comes Alive

This past week of the 2019 Ponoi salmon season saw a relatively dormant Arctic landscape explode with life. The energy on and off the river was lively and joyful, made more so by some remarkable catches, and a wonderful group of guests.

This week Ryabaga Camp welcomed a group of seasoned anglers from Ireland, the UK, South Africa, ...

Russia - Ponoi - The Season kicks off with a Great Start

Week 1 Report: Off to a Great Start!

Each year, the opening week of the Ponoi salmon season represents the end of a long period away. Winter can be a challenge for salmon anglers; when freezing weather takes hold of the Kola Peninsula, guests and staff are forced to wait and hope, eagerly anticipating the arrival of May and the opportunity to lay a line on the incomparable Ponoi once more. The build-up to Week 1 of the season is ...

Ponoi - Youth Week - Last rods

We have a new and exciting week on the Ponoi 2019 which is dedicated to the young of today. To qualify you must be under 35 years of age and be very excited to experience one of the most prolific salmon rivers in the world.

The week will take place in Ponoi Fall Run 17^th- 24^th ...

Read more