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!
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.
