Middle Varzuga, Russia

Middle Varzuga is the best of the best with salmon fishing that will challenge, excite and astound you. If the Varzuga is the most prolific Atlantic salmon river there is, then by definition Middle Varzuga is the most prolific beat in the world...

To read an article on the Varzuga in Trout & Salmon Magazine, click here.

Situated 18km above Lower Varzuga camp, a rod on this beat is one of the most highly sought after on the Kola Peninsula.

The Middle beat has proved to be one of the most productive on the river system, especially in the early weeks when the natural high water barrier of the Yovas Rapids holds the majority of the salmon in the pools below. This long run of fast water holds the fish up until such a time as the height and water temperature combine to allow the fish to run through to the higher beats of Pana.

The Middle Varzuga beat accesses over five miles of fly water with more than thirty named pools throughout its length. From faster flows around Clarke's Corner through the deep pools of Fortress to the wide, pebble bottomed open reach that is Peartiha and down around both sides of the island, our guests fish a diverse selection of some of the finest water the Varzuga offers.

The seasons change with surprising speed on the Kola peninsula. These changeable conditions allow for perfect opportunities to try differing patterns and methods from sunken lines and double tubes to riffled hitches across mirrored glides. The dry fly reaches of Peartiha and Simmons Glide and their catch records are a testament to the many anglers who have tried and succeeded here with a skated bomber.

Middle Varzuga takes a total of ten rods who fish a huge variety of water to rival an entire river system elsewhere and, as on other beats, transport is by jet boat.

To see a video of life on the Varzuga, click here. With many thanks to Julian Pullan.

 

It has to be on every salmon fisherman’s wish list! JB Portugal.

Accommodation

Middle Varzuga camp is on the island of Poondostrov, 18kms above the Lower camp. Six new cabins in the guise of those at Lower have been constructed, which means each cabin has two single rooms and a shower and loo.

The central dining room gives wonderful views of the west side of the island and the pools opposite. As with the other camps there is a Russian banya (sauna) on the river bank to help you relax in the evening.

Let us help you plan your perfect trip...

Please get in touch for impartial advice and a wealth of knowledge of the best fishing and shooting in the world.

Location

More about Middle Varzuga

Our view

Middle Varzuga is the best of the best with salmon fishing that will challenge, excite and astound you.

Price guide

Prices start from £5,000 per person for 6 days fishing, excluding international flights.

ATOL Protected

Many of the flights and flight inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all products, holidays and travel services listed on this website. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL certificate, then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

ABTOT provides protection for your non-flight packages as set out in our booking conditions