Kamchatka
 

I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

Dave LaCourse wrote:

I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html


There may be some better established trips but I've heard some wild
stories about fishing in Russia. From the accounts I've read, it is an
adventure. The HUGE fish, the rides in the old choppers held together
with bailing wire, being stranded in the back country, getting ripped
off, etc. all contributed to very memorable trips for the people writing
about them. Not sure if they would all go back but at least, they were
sure left with some great stories.

Willi

Kamchatka
 

--
"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html



Dave:

I have two friends that have been. One went for steelhead, the other (a fly
shop owner) has been twice for Rainbows. Both report that it is a trip for
adventure minded folks only. They also said that it was a serious hurry up
and wait affair - get to the airport, wait 2 hours for the next plane or
helicopter. When it finally shows up, the pilot argues with someone from
outfitter for 45 minutes about something that gives you a very uneasy
feeling. Then you ride on in a helicopter that has seen much better days -
and you seriously wonder whether you will make it. They also both said that
their trips were cut short by bad weather that was supposedly coming in fast
and would prevent their scheduled departure - but neither saw evidence of
it. Both reported that the food wasn't great (pretty bad in fact) and that
the guides would go off hunting and prepare any game they shot for
themselves.

From a fishing standpoint, the Rainbows averaged 26", and my friend said he
caught over 150 in 4 days, plus probably 200 Tilapia (I think that was the
fish he mentioned, but I am not absolutely sure - anyway, he said they were
big and fun to catch). The fellow that went for steelhead happened to be
there at the same time as a group of diehards that fished BC alot. Their
take was that BC was better fishing alll around. My friend said the
steelhead fishing was fair to good, depending upon whether you were assigned
to a beat with fish in it. The good part was that he never saw someone that
wasn't part of the group. He also said that during the time he was there,
the guide never did anyof the things that he was "supposed" to do for
scientific purposes (collecting scale samples, etc.). Apparently, they had
collected all the data they needed early in the season.

In short, the Rainbow fisherman has been a couple times; the steelhead
fisherman said it was a once in a lifetime trip (a notch on the belt, but
not one he was anxious to repeat).

HTH

Jim Ray

Kamchatka
 

A couple of years ago, Try Combs told me that he thought that you got better
bang for your buck by going to Alaska. He should know


"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html









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Kamchatka
 

Willi writes:

There may be some better established trips but I've heard some wild
stories about fishing in Russia.

Can you recommend another trip? From what I've been able to find out, the
Kamchatka trip is supposed to be very good.

From the accounts I've read, it is an
adventure. The HUGE fish, the rides in the old choppers held together
with bailing wire, being stranded in the back country, getting ripped
off, etc. all contributed to very memorable trips for the people writing
about them. Not sure if they would all go back but at least, they were
sure left with some great stories.

The Helicopter is the MI-8 (NATO designation HIP). It is a very reliable
machine, sold throughout the world, and the most popular helicopter used in
Kamchatka.

I am assured that we will be fishing within two hours of landing at
Petropavlovsk. What were some of the bad and good stories, Willi?

Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

i read a top book about flyfishing thru russia the writer had a lot of
experiences but the fishing was not great because of pollution
andoverfishing by a populace who have never heard of conservation apparentl
they use a lot of square hooks over there. i will post the title and author
of the book when i can put my hands on it(filed somewhere very safe)
tony
"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

tony weall writes:

i read a top book about flyfishing thru russia the writer had a lot of
experiences but the fishing was not great because of pollution
andoverfishing by a populace who have never heard of conservation apparentl
they use a lot of square hooks over there. i will post the title and author
of the book when i can put my hands on it(filed somewhere very safe)
tony

G I'm not flyfishing through Russia, Tony. The Kamchatka penisula is about
as remote as you can get, so there would be absolutely no pollution, just big
wild trout, char, and salmon. The wilds of alaska would be civilized by
Kamchatka's standards. There are NO people where the camp is.

Thanks for you input.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

Dave LaCourse wrote:

I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Apparently one of the spey casters from the GCC has been a guide at a lodge
there.
Ill see if I can dig up some info. But the rainbows are supposedly huge and very

hungry. (There was an article in one of the latest mags.)

Kamchatka
 

Svend Tang-Petersen writes:

Apparently one of the spey casters from the GCC has been a guide at a lodge
there.
Ill see if I can dig up some info. But the rainbows are supposedly huge and
very

hungry. (There was an article in one of the latest mags.)

Thanks, Svend.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

Some guys I met who went there told me a horror story. After they got to
the remote camp they were informed that the jet boat was broken and the
part wouldn't arrive for a week. This was known BEFORE they left home for
the trip. They had to wade-fish around camp, and there was no refund of any
kind. It sounded like a complete and very expensive bummer.

If I were going to Kamchatka I'd vet the outfitter very thoroughly and make
sure that the terms of the contract were crystal clear.

That said, I've heard there's some great fishing in Kamchatka.

I'm still looking forward to going to Alaska someday, if I can find a
companion who isn't terrified of the bears. :-)

-----------------------------------------------------
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Kamchatka
 

Steve writes:

Some guys I met who went there told me a horror story. After they got to
the remote camp they were informed that the jet boat was broken and the
part wouldn't arrive for a week. This was known BEFORE they left home for
the trip. They had to wade-fish around camp, and there was no refund of any
kind. It sounded like a complete and very expensive bummer.

If I were going to Kamchatka I'd vet the outfitter very thoroughly and make
sure that the terms of the contract were crystal clear.

The outfitter is "The Fly Shop" out of Redding, CA. They appear to have a good
reputation and have opened their own spots on some of the more remote rivers.

That said, I've heard there's some great fishing in Kamchatka.

I'm still looking forward to going to Alaska someday, if I can find a
companion who isn't terrified of the bears. :-)

From what I've heard/read, the bears in most places aren't that difficult to
deal with. I've looked into several lodges/expeditions in Alaska, and they are
more expensive than Kamchatka (except for the travel expense). I am more than
a little concerned about the food offered by the Russians, but it couldn't be
any worse than military chow. Or could it?
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

I've taken one trip with The Fly Shop and it will be my last. three of us
wrote letters of complaint to them about the lodge, and their only reaction
was to argue with us and tell us why we were wrong.

Good luck!


"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
Steve writes:

Some guys I met who went there told me a horror story. After they got to
the remote camp they were informed that the jet boat was broken and the
part wouldn't arrive for a week. This was known BEFORE they left home for
the trip. They had to wade-fish around camp, and there was no refund of
any
kind. It sounded like a complete and very expensive bummer.

If I were going to Kamchatka I'd vet the outfitter very thoroughly and
make
sure that the terms of the contract were crystal clear.

The outfitter is "The Fly Shop" out of Redding, CA. They appear to have a
good
reputation and have opened their own spots on some of the more remote
rivers.

That said, I've heard there's some great fishing in Kamchatka.

I'm still looking forward to going to Alaska someday, if I can find a
companion who isn't terrified of the bears. :-)

From what I've heard/read, the bears in most places aren't that difficult
to
deal with. I've looked into several lodges/expeditions in Alaska, and
they are
more expensive than Kamchatka (except for the travel expense). I am more
than
a little concerned about the food offered by the Russians, but it couldn't
be
any worse than military chow. Or could it?
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html









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Kamchatka
 

"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html


er, um, well, er . . . No.
Bob

Kamchatka
 

I enjoyed reading about Kamchatka (and all of the other places) in the Fly
Shop catalog. It's also interesting how far out of their way they go to let
you know how far out in the sticks Redding CA is! Almost like they've got a
complex or something.

bruce h

Kamchatka
 

"bruiser" wrote in message
...
I enjoyed reading about Kamchatka (and all of the other places)
in the Fly
Shop catalog. It's also interesting how far out of their way
they go to let
you know how far out in the sticks Redding CA is! Almost like
they've got a complex or something.
bruce h

Hmm,
The last time I was in Redding it was on Interstate 5, a few
hours from San Francisco. Someone must have moved it. :)
There is some great trout fishing below and above Shasta Lake.
The McCloud river runs into Shasta Lake and that's where the
Rainbow Trout came from that were transported all over the world.
The McCloud river is formed by snow melt from Mount Shasta.
There is a place called Big Springs where icy water gushes from a
lava tube coming from Mount Shasta and doubles the size of the
McCloud. I waded upstream across that flow without boots one
summer and had no feeling left in my legs by the time I got
across.
I caught and released a six inch Dolly Varden in the McCloud.
The only one I have ever seen. They were very scarce and
protected at the time. It was a beautiful trout.
You can see Mount Shasta for 100 miles when you drive up
Interstate 5 toward Redding.
Ernie

Kamchatka
 

We had a fellow at our club give a talk on Kamchatka. I can't remember his
name but I can get it tomorrow and send it on. He spends his summers
guiiding in Kamchatka and his winters guiding steelhead in the Northwest.
He gave a terrific talk and slide show. There was fish all over the place,
the guys could not let there lines dangle in the water while they looked in
their fly box or they would have another fish.
From what I saw I'd go if I had the coin. He had lots of slides told many
stories about the people. Msot of the guides live in the city and go down
on the pennisula in the summer to run fish camps and guide. It looked like
a pretty premeative life, plywood shacks, like maby no outdoor toilets, just
lots of brush. The food was basic and simple. The people were freindly and
seem to enjoy the whole buisness.
One of the guides had a dog he didn't feed - the dog was on his own. Once
when he was fishing the dog saw an ermine on the shore, jumped out of the
boat swam over and ate the ermine.
He confirmed what I have always though about Russians, that is if we could
communicate we would on an indivual basis get along pretty good. I got the
impression they weren't any different from someone you would run accross in
Maine, Alaska, or lots of places you have fished.
Oh yeah there was bugs and bears. Someone in the groups always packed a
rifle.
"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

irate (Dave LaCourse) wrote in message ...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Dave,

Fish&Fly, winter 2003 p50: Rainbows over Kamchatka

(Written by Will Blair from The Fly Shop).

I havent looked at this: www.kamchatkawaters.com

Kamchatka
 

Svend writes:


Fish&Fly, winter 2003 p50: Rainbows over Kamchatka

(Written by Will Blair from The Fly Shop).

Yes. I've seen the article. Will Blair is a "travel specialist" at The Fly
Shop in Redding. I've talked to him on the phone a couple of times.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

I believe that protecton didn't help the Dollys. I think that the last one
caught was quite awhile ago.

"Ernie" wrote in message
. ..

"bruiser" wrote in message
...
I enjoyed reading about Kamchatka (and all of the other places)
in the Fly
Shop catalog. It's also interesting how far out of their way
they go to let
you know how far out in the sticks Redding CA is! Almost like
they've got a complex or something.
bruce h

Hmm,
The last time I was in Redding it was on Interstate 5, a few
hours from San Francisco. Someone must have moved it. :)
There is some great trout fishing below and above Shasta Lake.
The McCloud river runs into Shasta Lake and that's where the
Rainbow Trout came from that were transported all over the world.
The McCloud river is formed by snow melt from Mount Shasta.
There is a place called Big Springs where icy water gushes from a
lava tube coming from Mount Shasta and doubles the size of the
McCloud. I waded upstream across that flow without boots one
summer and had no feeling left in my legs by the time I got
across.
I caught and released a six inch Dolly Varden in the McCloud.
The only one I have ever seen. They were very scarce and
protected at the time. It was a beautiful trout.
You can see Mount Shasta for 100 miles when you drive up
Interstate 5 toward Redding.
Ernie




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Kamchatka
 

"Ernie" wrote

The McCloud river runs into Shasta Lake and that's where the
Rainbow Trout came from that were transported all over the world.

never knew that. thanks for the info.


The McCloud river is formed by snow melt from Mount Shasta.
There is a place called Big Springs where icy water gushes from a
lava tube coming from Mount Shasta and doubles the size of the
McCloud. I waded upstream across that flow without boots one
summer and had no feeling left in my legs by the time I got
across.

that kind of thing fascinates me. the yadkin river, where my old
homeplace in rowan county, nc, is located, is a brown, gummy mess about two
hundred yards wide. about 120 miles upstream, i have caught wild rainbows
from its headwaters around blowing rock, and jumped across it at the point i
stopped fishing.

yfitons
wayno

Kamchatka
 

Hi Dave,

I have friends that have gone with Larry Schoenborn ( TV fishing show guy)
twice now to Kamchatka and had a great time. They are in the picture on the
front page of his web sight.

http://www.fishingwithlarry.com/

PS: Love that car of yours....450hp.

--
Bill Kiene

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...

I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

Bill Kiene writes:

I have friends that have gone with Larry Schoenborn ( TV fishing show guy)
twice now to Kamchatka and had a great time. They are in the picture on the
front page of his web sight.

http://www.fishingwithlarry.com/

PS: Love that car of yours....450hp.

--
Bill Kiene

Web site: www.kiene.com


Hi, Bill. Thanks for that link. The picture reminds me of a few roffians I've
seen. That is an Orvis lodge, which is probably my best bet as far as a
guarantee is concerned.

I love the car too. I can't believe how quick it is.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

"Dave LaCourse" wrote I love the car too. I can't
believe how quick it is.

i can't wait to see how it looks in the rear view mirror of a jeep
cherokee... :)

yfitons
wayno

Kamchatka
 

Greg whatshisname writes:


I love the car too. I can't believe how quick it is.
Dave


I hear that it shifts gears faster than the
administration :-)

You bad. d;o)

Kamchatka
 

wayno writes:

i can't wait to see how it looks in the rear view mirror of a jeep
cherokee... :)

No racing this one on gravel roads. Besides, it's my turn to go first and kick
up stones for you to hit. d;o)


Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

"Sierra fisher" wrote in
message ...
I believe that protecton didn't help the Dollys. I think that
the last one
caught was quite awhile ago.

Yes, I know, It's a damn shame. They were a unique fish.
Ernie

Kamchatka
 

On Fri, 06 Feb 2004 16:40:22 GMT, "Ernie"
wrote:


"Sierra fisher" wrote in
message ...
I believe that protecton didn't help the Dollys. I think that
the last one
caught was quite awhile ago.

Yes, I know, It's a damn shame. They were a unique fish.

Plenty of Dolly's in way-northern Quebec...

Kamchatka
 

"daytripper" wrote in message
...
Plenty of Dolly's in way-northern Quebec...

Yes, I know but the name Dolly Varden was given to the one's in
the McCloud by a woman who thought the fish looked like Dolly
Varden's dress. The name stuck, probably because "Bull Trout" is
such a plain name. As far as I know the McCloud was the only
West Coast River where the Dolly Varden was found.
Ernie

Kamchatka
 

Dave,

had the pleasure of fishing there in 2000.
See http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/K2000/ for some of my pictures.
Interesting to see what a largley unspoiled (logging, dams, etc.) watershedd
acutally
looks like and the quantity of big trout, salmon, char and predators it can
support.

Am starting to plan next trip,

--

Jeff


NFS
http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/






"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking about a trip Kamchatka this year. Is there anyone reading
these
pages that has been there or knows of someone who has? I understand the
rainbow trout are enormous as well as the char and grayling.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

jlp writes:

Dave,

had the pleasure of fishing there in 2000.
See http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/K2000/ for some of my pictures.
Interesting to see what a largley unspoiled (logging, dams, etc.) watershedd
acutally
looks like and the quantity of big trout, salmon, char and predators it can
support.

Am starting to plan next trip,

--

Jeff


Thanks for the link/info. I had changed my mind and was just about to book a
week in Alaska when your post appeared. Now I will have to reconsider
Kamchatka.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

Kamchatka
 

says...
On 06 Feb 2004 14:12:49 GMT, irate (Dave LaCourse)
wrote:


I love the car too. I can't believe how quick it is.
Dave


I hear that it shifts gears faster than the
administration :-)

Clinton Administration, that is. I hear it is *really* fast. bseg
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)
For Conclave Info:
http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt...nConclave.html

Kamchatka
 

says...
had the pleasure of fishing there in 2000.
See http://home.teleport.com/~salmo/K2000/ for some of my pictures.
Interesting to see what a largley unspoiled (logging, dams, etc.) watershedd
acutally
looks like and the quantity of big trout, salmon, char and predators it can
support.

Very cool link, thanks for sharing.
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)
For Conclave Info:
http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt...nConclave.html

Kamchatka
 

Greg Pavlov wrote:

On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 troutbum_mt wrote:

Clinton Administration, that is. I hear it is *really* fast. bseg

As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

.... and for fiscal responsibility. g

JR

Kamchatka
 

"JR" wrote in message ...
Greg Pavlov wrote:

On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 troutbum_mt wrote:

Clinton Administration, that is. I hear it is *really* fast. bseg

As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

... and for fiscal responsibility. g

Well, you only long for what you haven't got, right?

Wolfgang

Kamchatka
 

says...
As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

And the left wing is still hiding from it.
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)
For Conclave Info:
http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt...nConclave.html

Kamchatka
 

says...
Greg Pavlov wrote:
As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

... and for fiscal responsibility. g

Don't remind me. I am not looking forward to retiring at the age of
104......
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)
For Conclave Info:
http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt...nConclave.html

Kamchatka
 

On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 09:55:20 -0700, troutbum_mt wrote:

says...
As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

And the left wing is still hiding from it.

Hmm....years of the lowest unemployment in decades, responsible budgets, the
end of deficit spending, a country others trusted, respected and wanted to
emulate...

/daytripper (Yeah, we're hiding from that)

Kamchatka (highjacked OT)
 

daytripper wrote:

On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 09:55:20 -0700, troutbum_mt wrote:

says...
As has often been pointed out, the right wing longs for the past.

And the left wing is still hiding from it.

Hmm....years of the lowest unemployment in decades, responsible budgets, the
end of deficit spending, a country others trusted, respected and wanted to
emulate...

Yeah, but what's all that compared to an extramarital affair?

JR
(sometimes I think we anti-fascists have our priorities all wrong.
sigh)

Kamchatka
 

says...
Hmm....years of the lowest unemployment in decades, responsible budgets, the
end of deficit spending, a country others trusted, respected and wanted to
emulate...

/daytripper (Yeah, we're hiding from that)

Remember some of this?

http://prorev.com/wwindex.htm
http://www.pollingreport.com/scandals.htm
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RA...ndals_arc.html
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt (at) yahoo to reply via email)
For Conclave Info:
http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt...nConclave.html

Kamchatka
 

On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 10:46:56 -0700, troutbum_mt wrote:

says...
Hmm....years of the lowest unemployment in decades, responsible budgets, the
end of deficit spending, a country others trusted, respected and wanted to
emulate...

/daytripper (Yeah, we're hiding from that)

Remember some of this?

http://prorev.com/wwindex.htm
http://www.pollingreport.com/scandals.htm
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RA...ndals_arc.html

Ah - I see your problem - you think wingnut screeds outweigh "years of the
lowest unemployment in decades, responsible budgets, the end of deficit
spending, a country others trusted, respected and wanted to emulate".

You want to play Link War? Bring it on!

http://www.fair.org/press-releases/beyond-niger.html
http://www.nrdc.org/bushrecord/2003.asp
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0338/schanberg.php
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/Safe...ID=12126&c=207
http://www.ctj.org/html/gwbfinal.htm
http://www.cbpp.org/10-16-03tax.htm
http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?...enti d=251895
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/deficit.html

Imagine these running during the election...

http://www.bushin30seconds.org/view/01_small.shtml
http://www.bushin30seconds.org/view/1024_small.shtml
http://www.bushin30seconds.org/view/2472_small.shtml
http://www.bushin30seconds.org/view/2232_small.shtml

It will take decades to recover from the mess the Smirking Chimp has created.
The US simply cannot afford another term.

/daytripper (I bet you think Ann Coulter *isn't* a two-bagger, too ;-)