A spring week on the Rynda

It would be an understatement to say that the veterans amongst the team of anglers that arrived at Rynda camp this week were suitably astonished to see quite how far progressed the season was in terms of fishing conditions, water levels and the growth in the tundra. Any thoughts of heavy sinking lines and large tubes were dismissed without further consideration. By weeks end the bleached winter colours of the tundra had been replaced by vivid green’s with the birch bush forests having foliage as thick and dense as you would expect to find in July and hitched flies were definitely in business.

All of this combined to produce fishing conditions that suggested that the length and breadth of the river would be open with fresh fish in every pool. The first deployment on Saturday afternoon resulted in 2 fish being caught from Norway and Sami Camp including a fresh 23lb salmon, both pools which would have been considered pretty much off limits for fresh fish on 9 June.

With expectations high, the 4 guests, each assigned an individual guide and beat, hit almost every section of the river. Despite high hopes the following 2 days dashed initial optimism that the fish had indeed spread to all pools in the river. With the exception of a bright over-wintered Osenka from Swan Lake the ‘silver prospecting’ missions did not produce any further fruits from the river above Home Pool. Not that hopes were quashed with Rory catching a Personal Best sea-liced salmon of 24lbs from Rock Island.

On Wednesday there appeared to be a return to spring-like conditions with heavy rain and icy winds. Above all else this served to reconfirm that spring on the Kola is not the place to put to test wet-weather clothing designed for the more temperate conditions of the UK as well as proving the value of the substantial supply of camp gear which was called on to assist failing jackets, waders, and boots - no names mentioned – Hugo! Despite a substantial raise to neighbouring Kharlovka and Litza the Rynda only nudged up 2cm in height, due in part to the fact that the rain was more short-lived but also on account that the Tundra is extremely dry, this being the first rain of the season.

Thursday and Friday served as a huge boost to the slow start to the week and it was only now that fish started to be caught in good numbers with Lewis chalking up the first sea-liced fish from above 2nd at Eagles Nest in the upper section of the river along with several other takes and another fish lost. 2nd Waterfall, Red Cliff, Norway, Sami Camp and Tolstoi started to both show and produce fresh fish with reasonable consistency and although the bulk of the fish caught for the week were from Home Pool and below with reasonable conviction it is possible to claim the length of the Rynda can now be considered open for business!

By weeks end despite only 25 fresh salmon being caught these being shared between 5 rods put the week on parity with 2011 although the lower water conditions have allowed everyone to enjoy the length and breadth of the river.