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Lower Varzuga and Kitza

High volume fishing!
Roxton Baily Robinson Opperation.

The river


varzugakitza12A week at Lower Varzuga offers the opportunity to fish two rivers, both very different in character from the other. The lower beat of the Varzuga River is generally wide, with a mixture of fast water with short pools and long runs.

Some 13 miles from the sea, the beat is about 2 miles long, with 20 named pools providing plenty of fishing for three days. The Kitza joins the Varzuga at its mouth and flows virtually parallel to it. Here the river is more intimate, around 40m wide at its widest, with 27 named pools both above and below the camp on the 5 mile beat. Both beats fish with a double handed rod in the early part of the season though many opt to fish a single handed rod as the level drops. The Kitza is supplied by a lake and is generally a few degrees colder than the Varzuga.

At the end of April the ice on the river breaks and the fish start running in unprecedented numbers. During the first two weeks of the 2004 season, a total of 1,698 salmon were landed on 25 rods on the Lower and Kitza beats, an average of very nearly 68 fish each rod. Wading is straightforward in most pools although a stick and a life vest are strongly encouraged.
varzugakitza09 varzugakitza10

Lower Varzuga has brand new fully equipped cabins which accommodate two rods in each cabin, in separate bedrooms. There are also separate showers and loo rooms each with basin and plenty of hot water. Large, tabled verandas look out over the old cabins and over the home pools of this wonderful beat and the main dining and sitting room also looks out over the home pools and has a large wood fire. There is also a Russian sauna, a ‘banya’ at Lower Varzuga camp.

Kitza camp has comfortable double cabins, each with a shower and a loo and has a lovely central dining and sitting room and a banya close to the river itself. In addition we have also built two brand new cabins at Kitza, very similar to those at Lower Varzuga and offering private rooms to rods in these two new cabins.
The staff in camp includes Russian guides, an English camp manager and an English cook. We attain the highest standards of cuisine in the camp, sourcing most of our supplies and all of our meat is flown directly from butchers in the UK.


Fishing Tackle



tackle01Reccomened rods is 13 and 15 feet double handed rods for line 9 to 10.
Single handed rods 9.6 feet for line 8 - 9.
Double handed reels backing 150 meters. Single handed reel backing 100 meters.
Lines: Floating - Intermediate and sink tips. Bring some fast sinking lines if you are fishing early season.
Leaders: 12 - 14 - 16 - 18 - 20 - 24 - 30 lbs braking strenght.
Fly line cleaner ( for longer cast )

Lax-a make their own brand in rods - Lax-a rods bulit and designed by most international experiences anglers , for further information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

tackle07Lax-a Rod

The Lax-á single hand rods Lax-á 9´0” line 5/6 – 5-sections – All-round Trout This is a rather fast fly rod but with a smooth fighting curve. It’s a advantage with a faster rod in the lower fly rod classes. The wind won’t effect the cast and you will still be able to make a very narrow loop and thereby cast at distance. The All-round Trout was brought to life under brown trout fishing here on Iceland. The name All-round Trout really fits this rod. The rod will easily load with a short line do the lighter tip but the progressive action will really put out you fly at distance. It performs well with small dry flies but also big “buggers”. The All-round Trout is made as a 5-sections rod making it a easier travel friend to bring along with you.

Lax-á 9´6” line 7/8 – 5-sections – Light Salmon This medium/fast fly rod was made along the bank of Midtfjardará which is a river that can be very demanding to the angler. Crystal clear water and spooky fish. Most of the fishing is delicate presentation so there for we designed our own rod to do this job. The Light Salmon is a presentation rod that can carry from small hitch flies up to the big Francis flies that we use to pull the “sleepy” salmon up from the deep holes. We also recommend trying this rod for sea trout in both the rivers and on the coast. The Light Salmon is made as a 5-sections rod making it a easier travel friend to bring along with you.

The Lax-á double handed rods Lax-á 12´6” line 8/9 – 4-sections – Medium Salmon A very nice and light double handed rod that is very suitable for lighter fishing on low water conditions, presentation fishing or sea trout fishing in Argentina. Under the making of this rod we had great success on the West Rangá fishing it with a 10.8 meter sink tip belly and a fast sink poly leader. The fly was a Sunray Shadow.

Lax-á 14´0” line 9/10 – 4-sections – Heavy Salmon This is a real high performance salmon tool. This rod really gets your bulky fly at the distance without using any effort. Even though it’s a powerful rod it is not a stiff stick. It’s such a great rod to battle big strong salmon thanks to the deep powerful curve. The rod was developed along the banks of East Rangá where we often use sink tip lines/fast sink poly leaders with heavy flies at the end. The Heavy Salmon generates so much energy that you won’t fell the sinking part of the line and the big fly when casting.


Flies


blackshrimpWelcome to a new dimension in flies specifically selected and dressed for rivers of the Kola Peninsula.

Jason Thornton has a vast resource of practical knowledge having experienced all seasonal challenges during 50 actual weeks fishing numerous Kola rivers since 1994. Following exhaustive field trials of fly patterns and materials, in all temperatures and water heights, Jason has, with his extraordinary fly tyer Peter Nightingale, produced a range of 11 flies that will certainly give you an advantage over the fish and cover the entire season.

Within the listed flies will be found patterns of our own design. All our flies are dressed using premium grade materials including, where applicable, Shadow and Silver Fox, Bear and Polar Bear, Jungle Cock (genuine) and Boars Bristle.

The materials used in the construction of these flies have been chosen to impact maximum movement, colour attraction and sparkle.

Jason was truly amazed at the instant success by all these listed patterns during his field trials, finding he was out-fishing by a mile other anglers fishing their more traditional patterns.

The Spring Tubes

rogieokRogie: An established pattern worth its place in any fly box. I first tried this fly in 1995 whilst fishing Varzuga and the results were staggering. Can be fished up to mid season. Tied on plastic and aluminium tube. Available in 2", 1.5" and 1".

Spring Silver: A creation of Peters' and one that I used for the first time with great success in 2004. A cracking looking fly with all the colours that work on the peat stained rivers of the Kola. Tied on aluminium tubing. Available in 2" and 1.5".

Green_Killer_DoubleKola Green: Our version of the famous Green Highlander. Available in double and tube to give a great all season killing fly. An additional fly from 2005 following successful field trials during my week on Varzuga and Pana in 2004. Available in 1½” & 1” tubes, and 6 & 8 doubles






silvershadowshrimpJointed Shrimp Fly: in Orange (see top) and Yellow (see bottom)

A totally revolutionary fly and from its conception, proved unbelievably successful with fish almost looking for the fly box!!!! This fly can be fished throughout the season. The pattern is made in two parts - a "main" fly body and a tail section. On hooking a fish the main fly body runs freely up the line reducing leverage. Fewer fish are lost.

Available in .75" only (N.B. main body length given)

Summer Doubles

The Shadow and Kola Shrimp are our two favourite ultra effective shrimp patterns. Shrimp fly patterns account for the greatest number of fish caught during the summer period. Will fish brilliantly in the peat stained rivers of the Kola Peninsula.

mediatorMediator:

While fishing one of my Kola weeks a dramatic improvement was realised with the introduction of the Mediator. A summer fly that I will not be without anywhere, especially on the Kola. Long tailed fly, giving contrast and remarkable movement.

Available in sizes 6, 8 and 10 doubles



yellowshadowshrimpShadow Shrimp: - Silver (see top) Yellow (see bottom)

We have found a much improved shrimp pattern which combines Silver and Arctic Fox with vibrant hackling. Excellent in both strong and quieter flows of river due to the method of tying and the mobility of materials used.

Available in sizes 6, 8 and 10 doubles.


kolashrimpredKola Shrimp Fly: - Red (see left) Black (see right)

This fly offers different colour combinations and style to the Shadow Shrimp. Long Boars bristle feelers give the fly its own unique action. A great fish teezer!

Available in sizes 6, 8 and 10 doubles.


the_right_gear* Petes Riffle Special

A cheerful and devastatingly effective piece of "precision engineering". Hence no photo!!! Based on the famous Newfoundland method of catching salmon in low water. A  small dressed tube with colour coding. Available in 0.5" tube only

N.B. Supplied in pairs for Left and Right bank fishing.

Once your flies have been tied, they will be sent to you by Special Delivery in time for your trip. Please add 6.2eur p&p to your order.

Costs: All flies 5.80eur  *Petes Riffle Hitch 5.8eur per pair. We can supply Loop double hooks for your tubes in sizes 4, 6 and 8. Cost 75p each.

Other great flies for the Kola Peninsula is the Icelandic Snaeldas brass tubes in various colours ( they are deadly !!) and for the summer water the hitch tubes and long wing version of Black and Blue , Collie Dog , Stoats Tail and Black Sheep. Do not forgett to bring the Red and Black Frances both in brasstubes and in flies double hooks sizes 6 - 8 - 10 - 12 and 14.






Flights and Visa


Flights to Murmansk.

Travel to RussiaIf you want to use the charter flight from Helsinki, please contact us and ask for our electronic booking form.

Other options:

Saint Petersburg - Murmansk – Arrive Friday evening Murmansk (MMK.) – You stay one night in Murmansk (Hotel Meridian –

For more info see below

Saturday morning you take a Taxi back to MMK. Airport where you have be not later than 10.50 AM. – Lax-á representative will meet you and arrange further transport to the camp Moscow – Murmansk – same process as above Kirkenes – MMK. – Bus from Kirkenes to MMK. Same process as above Contact you local travelling agency for more information, prices and booking.

Visa
The Russian Embassy will stamp the Visa direct into your passport and we feel it is both safer and more convenient for everyone that you send the paper to your local Russian Embassy or special designed travel company in your country that deals with this. If you for any reason find problems with your visa, please do not hesitate to contact us immediately.

The normal time to get the Visa is 7 working days plus mail which means approx. 2 weeks.

After receiving your booking form filled out and signed we will send the special Russian invitation that is needed to get the Visa For 2008 season Lax-á will start the invitation process in April month.


To process your Visa you will need to send to consulate or local visa agent:

1 - Russian Invitation

2 - Questionnaire to be filled out and signed at the bottom – this questionnaire can varied from country to country, so please contact your local Russian consulate / Visa support for further information.

3 - Your Passport

4 - Four Passport photos (with some Embassies it is enough with two)

Agents dealing with Russian Visas:

England: Visa & Passport Service, Ground Floor, 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH, www.visaservice.co.uk

.Tel: 08708 900 185, Fax: 020 7229 7656, Mobile: 07850 426241, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Ask for Lisa.

France: Visas Express, 54, Rue de l`quest, BP 48 - 75661 Paris Cedex 14, Phone: 0144 1072 72

Common questions asked:

When will I receive my invitation letter?

After emailing us the questionnaire filled out we email it out to Russia and await your invitation letter. We give them about a 7-10 days to make the letter and they will email it to us and we forward it on to you. Then you can apply for your russian visa.

How or where do I apply for the visa?

Normally you can apply for the visa in the Russian Embassy or Consulate in your country. It is different from country to country how strict rules they have of how long your passport should be valid from after your stay in Russia, you should check with them, normally it is from 3-6months.



Packing List


tackle13Clothing:
Core - tex wind and rainproof jacket.
Two pairs of fleece or woolen underwear.
Two fleece or wollen pullovers.
4 pairs of fleece or wollen socks.
Fleece cap.
Fleece gloves.
Some casual clothes for the evenings in the lodge.

Tackle:
Rods 13 and 15 feet double handed rods for line 9 to 10.
Single handed rods 9.6 feet for line 8 - 9.
Double handed reels backing 150 meters. Single handed reel backing 100 meters.
Lines: Floating - Intermediate and sink tips. Bring some fast sinking lines if you are fishing early season.
Plenty of leaders: 12 - 14 - 16 - 18 - 20 - 24 - 30 lbs braking strenght.
Fly line cleaner ( for longer cast )
Your fishing west full of selected things you need.
Poilaroid fishing glasses - Tissiues.
Core - tex waders.
Wading shoes.

Ofcourse please do not forgett your visa / passport , your flight tickets and the Lax-a telephone numbers in case of emergency +354 5576100 or +354 8927146 or +354 8936110 or +354 8527522.


Accommodation


varzugakitza04Lower Varzuga has brand new fully equipped cabins which accommodate two rods in each cabin, in separate bedrooms. There are also separate showers and loo rooms each with basin and plenty of hot water. Large, tabled verandas look out over the old cabins and over the home pools of this wonderful beat and the main dining and sitting room also looks out over the home pools and has a large wood fire. There is also a Russian sauna, a ‘banya’ at Lower Varzuga camp.

Kitza camp has comfortable double cabins, each with a shower and a loo and has a lovely central dining and sitting room and a banya close to the river itself. In addition we have also built two brand new cabins at Kitza, very similar to those at Lower Varzuga and offering private rooms to rods in these two new cabins.
The staff in camp includes Russian guides, an English camp manager and an English cook. We attain the highest standards of cuisine in the camp, sourcing most of our supplies and all of our meat is flown directly from butchers in the UK.

varzugakitza01 varzugakitza02
varzugakitza05 varzugakitza06

 

For further information, please contact LAX-Á Staff :

LAX-Á Iceland : LAX-Á USA :
LAX-Á Spain : International Sales
LAX-Á Africa :
LAX-Á France    
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