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

Tarquin Millington-Drake

Mollie Fitzgerald

Leigh Buches

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

$7,990-$16,490 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.

We have a dedicated website for Ponoi - for more information click here

Ask The Expert

Tarquin Millington-Drake

UK Managing Director

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.

News

Ponoi in the Fall - Memories by Roddy

The Ponoi season can be easily broken down into sections and the one with the most anticipation is perhaps in mid to late August as the fall run builds in numbers and the beats fill up with these amazing fish. Making up the majority of the fish that run the river, the fall run are superbly athletic salmon with an extraordinary lifecycle which means they must endure real hardship to reach spawning and perhaps ...

Ponoi in the Spring - Roddy

I first arrived on the banks of the Ponoi in mid-May 1999. I had little idea then of how much time I would spend in what was a bustling small village of thirty people on a salmon river just within the Arctic Circle in the north-west of Russia. Those pre-season weeks of twenty-four-hour daylight as spring displaces winter were times lifelong friendships were forged; we worked hard, drank vodka in the evening and had the freedom to fish one of ...

Stories from Ponoi - Fliss

With the benefit of hindsight and the wisdom of age, and to reflect, memories of 2003 and 2004 (16 & 17 years ago) are as follows –

As a Frontiers employee...

It was my first time travelling alone and I was so scared in Helsinki I did not leave the room and was then pretty shocked at meeting all the guests on the Saturday morning. When we ...

Stories from Ponoi - Shirley D tells her story!

I had just passed my 80th birthday when I received a lovely invitation to join a party going to Russia to fish the Ponoi River. I had already been there a few years before with my American girlfriend, Frankie Woolfson, so I knew what to expect.

We flew by commercial airline to Finland where we were to overnight before joining other fishermen on a charter flight the next ...

Stories from Ponoi - David

I have lost count of the number of weeks I have spent on the Ponoi River; I think it is 18, including a trip to Brevyeni in June 2012.

I first went to the Ponoi river in July 2000, I had worked for three years in Oslo and had not fished much, the Ponoi river was a one-off dream trip. July 2000 was a hot bright summer, the river low and dropping with the heat, high 20’s and the water temperature was 78F on the Friday. I was ...

Catch up on your reading - Infamous spring on the Ponoi

Tarquin Millington-Drake reflects on the infamous Spring of 2017 on Russia’s Kola Peninsula. To read all about it click here.

Learn more about Ponoi's scientific project Pt 2

As many of you know, the Ponoi River Company runs the Ponoi Scientific Project throughout each fishing season. Tarquin Millington-Drake and Tom Leslie explain how this works and the importance of the project.

Stories from Ponoi - The day I became a stripper

The day I became a stripper.

Being brought up in the UK, I was trained to fish for salmon in a ‘traditional’ way, casting 45 degrees across the river and let it swing gently around, with a minor upstream mend if water conditions require it. So, upon arriving at the Ponoi and being informed of their method of stripping, I was a little suspect.
Read more

Learn more about Ponoi's scientific project

Stories from Ponoi

A Foolish Decision

After (another) heavy and thoroughly enjoyable evening of great food and wine swopping stories of our day on the river with the other guests, my husband and I decided to avoid any of the good stuff at lunch the following day to protect our livers, as we were only halfway through our week on the Ponoi. We gave the instructions to our guide and ...

New Manager Appointed for Ryabaga Camp, Russia, 2020 Season!

We have the following announcement from Ponoi River Company for the upcoming season.

Happy New Year from Ponoi River Co! Though the entirety of the Kola Peninsula remains cloaked in ice, thoughts of the coming Ponoi salmon season continue to warm our hearts. Our longtime friend, guide, and Ryabaga Camp Manager Agustin Lo Greco ...

Ponoi 2019 End of Season Report

Following a smooth winter that was marked by an average snowfall, the Kola Peninsula was shaping up nicely as the 2019 Ryabaga salmon season approached. Early May saw the arrival of our first group of mechanics who reported a nice clean camp, very little snow left on the ground, and a river that was opening quickly despite that there was some residual ice on the banks. A period of road ...

Ryabaga Camp, Ponoi river - Russia - Week 20 Report: Season’s End

Frontiers Note: The Ponoi fall season ended on a high with plenty of fresh fish entering into the system daily, which bodes well for the spring 2020 season. If you would be interested in fishing the Ponoi in 2020 please get in touch with Richard via email rs@frontierstrvl.co.uk or via phone 07983 ...

Russia - Ryabaga Camp - Fishing Report Week 16

Week 16 Report: And They Just Keep Coming…

As Week 16 comes to an end we all pause to celebrate the season. As Head Guide Max Mamaev said this week: “Welcome to Ponoi, one of the best salmon rivers in the world…”. This past week was a fine example of that maxim (or Maxism, as the case may be!!).