Destination Overview
Destination: Acha Camp
Country: Russia
Freshwater: River and stream fishing
Capacity: 12 per week
Season: Early June to Late September
Specialties: Drift boat fishing
Species: Atlantic Salmon

Acha Camp

To experience the worlds finest Atlantic salmon fishing look no further than Acha Camp on the Ponoi River. The Ponoi River originates deep in the Western part of the plateau Keiv on the Kola Peninsula, and then flows through the Lovozerski tundra for another 426km completing its journey by flowing into the White Sea. The Ponoi river is the longest and largest river of the Kola Peninsula. The numerous tributaries split the plateau into the rugged hills and ridges, add the variety and provide home to the numerous species of wildlife and waterfowl. It is this part of the Ponoi where the Acha camp nestles near the entrance of the Acha Creek into the main Ponoi River.

The fishing is fly only and catch and release. Each pair of rods has a guide and a boat. The beats are accessed by jet boat and you can either fish from the boat or by wading. The Home pool is a delight to wade and the other beats are generally easy wading although it is probably sensible to take or borrow a wading stick. In June 2006 one rod caught 56 of his 58 fish by wading. Conversely one rod with a tiresome shoulder injury caught the bulk of his fish from the boat. The fishing in early to mid June at Acha Camp is excellent. The spring fishing is determined by the size of the previous autumn's run of fish. These fish have wintered under the ice and do not spawn until the following fall. Losing little condition they prove to be tough fighters. In mid June expect the first of the fresh run fish. The Acha tributary has its own separate run of fish and is the size of a Sutherland spate river and provides some diversity. The main river is wide but not particularly deep. However the water is quite easy to read and the rougher, riffled sections tend to be where the fish are to be found. In an average week it would be expected that 20% of your fish will be in excess of 10 pounds. The top rod in 2007 caught 103 fish but the seasonal average per rod is around the 40 fish mark.

Guests are accommodated in eight wooden cabins. These cabins have two comfortable beds, wood burning stoves, are carpeted and have ample shelving and hanging space. Warm quilted sleeping bags, mattresses and sleeping bag liners are all provided. Electric light is by generator and a shower and sauna block was added in 2007 within a couple of minute's walk of the cabins. There is a central mess hut where breakfast and dinner are served. This too has its own wood burning stove and a well stocked bar with a small sitting area. There are at least four long-drop WC facilities.
Client Comments:
"The finest Atlantic salmon fishing in the world on one of the world's last bastions for this magnificent species. The numbers of salmon running this river blew my mind and I caught more in the first day than I normally catch in a season in Scotland. I can't wait to get back!" - G.B, UK

Travel Tips:
Russia is 4 hours ahead of GMT and flying time from London is approximately 5 hours plus transfer time.

Visa's are required for British passport holders.

Please contact Aardvark McLeod with any questions or for booking information.