The pools at Varzina Cliffhanger are both varied and spectacular with a great possibility of productive fishing.
To learn more about CLIFFHANGER phone or mail to Jorgen Berggren +46 70-350 6802 or jorgen@fishingnorth.com
The Varzina river stretches over approx. 20 miles from it´s source of lake Enozero north to the Barents sea. It´s location, far from roads and settlements insures a pristine wilderness second to none. The only way in is by helicopter. The camp is situated by the deepest canyon of the river right by the edege hence the name Cliffhanger. As an angler at the camp you have got a first row seat looking down at the salmon in the home pool. The different beats on both sides of the river are all reached on foot. You will need to be in reasonable shape to fish all the spots in the river. The rise of Atlantic salmon in Varzina is among the best in the Kola peninsula. You will have every chance to land a trophy fish over 20 lb.
The helicopter transfer flies out of the town of Lovozero southeast of Murmansk. To get there you will need to get a flight via Moscow or St. Petersburg to Murmansk and a busstransfer to Lovozero. A stayover in a hotel is needed on the way in and out of Murmansk. To enter in to Russia you will need a visa.
Itinerary from Saturday – Saturday as follows:
Day 0: Arrival to Murmansk airport overnight and minibus to Lovozero +1.
Day 1: Departure to Varzina Cliffhanger from Lovozero by helicopter, approx.45 min flight time. Arrival camp, meet and greet, information, diner and evening fishing.
Day 2-7: Full fishing days on designated beat.
Day 8: Departure to Lovozero by helicopter at approx. 11.30. Transfer to Murmansk and overnight. Flight international +1.
The Cliffhanger camp is built for 8 anglers and is made out of sturdy Russian army style tents with two beds a heater and plenty of room for gear and clothing. Bring your own sleeping kit if you like but the camp provides for that as well. Breakfast and dinner are served in a nearby cabin, shower and sauna is nearby. Ok, it´s not the Hilton but it works. A generator provides a possibility to charge whatever you need and there is a small hut for drying your waders overnight. Food is served 3 times daily (lunch as a takeaway from breakfast) and are surprisingly good. Robust Russian style soups, good fish and meat dishes and mouthwatering desserts are things to look forward to. A camp manager and 3-4 staff will look after you in a nice way. In the lodge there are also some lines, tippets and flies for sale..
The Cliffhanger stretches varies from slow flowing pools to faster rapids and there are an endless row of hotspots to fish! The river is divided in to sections/beats and fished in groups of two anglers that rotate during the week. This ensures that everyone has the option to fish all the best spots. The beats are available for 24 hours for each group from 9.am each day. Fishing will be done in a traditional fashion swinging the fly with a floating or sinktip line but there are also good chances to fish with surface flies as bombers, foamflies or hitchflies.
Here is a description of the pools accessible by foot from the camp
HORN JACK POOL: A series of good spots that stretches 2 km downstream the outflow of Nizkiy on top of the stretch. This part is not fished a lot and is particularly productive during later in the season. SWEEP: A wonderful, classic salmon pool with a steady stream of water, fishable even on low water conditions. BIG FALLS POOL: Place for the biggest waterfall in the Varzina system and the home for some really big trofé salmon. Good fishing from mid July. FILIPPOV OUTFLOW: Here is the camp, the outflow from lake Filippow forms the homepool for the lodge. This pool will hold fish from late June. CLIFFHANGER CAMP POOL: Situated about 10 minutes walk downstream from the camp. Here starts the deep canyon, held as the most scenic part of the river. LONG WALK POOL: This is the end of the canyon and a highly productive pool throughout the season. BOULDERS POOL: As the name suggest it is filled with big rocks, tricky to fish but very productive. FINNPOOL: One of the best pools in the river, deep and often the home of really big fish.
Fishing the Varzina river for Atlantic salmon you will need the following gear: Doublehanded rod 13-15 feet not less than #8-9 + spare rod. Medium size reel with a good break containing 30-50 lb backing min. 150 m. Floating line + Sinktip lines (Type Rio Variotip / int – s3, s6, s8).Leader 5-15 feet 20 -40 lbs. Vaders + vadingboots (remember that they need to be good to walk in, felt soles can be very slippery). A Simms Vapor boot with rubber-sole and cleats is ideal. Wading stick. Rain jacket.Warm jacket. Polarized glasses. Warm underwear. Mosquito repellent (also bring a mosquito net/hat).
For full equipment list see pdf below:
Flies; Bombers/Foamflies in size 2-6, Sunrays, Golden Killer, Phatakorva type tubes. The river is very clear, most flies should be thin and with less material ( There are some flies for sale at the camp).
FLIES FOR CLIFFHANGER.pdf
Program from beginning of July to the beginning of September from Saturday – Saturday. Price 2020 from 2900 + 300 (Campfee) Euro /person.
Included in the price: Reception at Murmansk airport, transfer Murmansk – Lovozero round trip. Helicopter transfer Lovozero-Cliffhanger round trip. Accommodation 7 nights at lodge in shared tented room. All meals incl. beverage (no alcohol). Fishinglicense. Campfee – incl evacuationfee for helitransport in case of illness
Not included in the price:: International flight to Murmansk. Alcohol at lodge. Cost for Visa. Travel insurance. Additional tip to guides and staff
