How many fly-fishing spots do you know that have become mythical or legendary in the past decade? Rivers like the Ponoi in Russia have risen to greatness in the modern era but over the past 20+ years. Lake Thingvallavatn in Iceland has had a meteoric rise to fame for its extraordinary trout but there are not many… however Astove is …
The Tigers of Tanzania
Before we get into the details, warning: strap up your fingers for this adventure – stripping gloves do not cut it. Bring a roll of tape – the type that sticks to itself not to skin or hair – Vetrap is perfect. This is also good for saltwater flyfishing. You need a roll or two because it can start to …
What about Greenland?
Would Greenland be an excuse to go fishing or would fishing for arctic char be an excuse to go to Greenland? Either is possible and both are excellent excuses. I went to Greenland this summer because I am asked regularly ‘what about Greenland?’ So I thought it best to go and see for myself. I examined quite a few operations …
The Joy of Aaroy – 18th to 22nd June 2017
‘Such armaments were often found wanting on the Aaroy steeplechase, like the parade of defeated anglers that had fished its Platforms of Despair. The outbuildings behind the fishing house concealed an elephant’s graveyard of smashed rods and broken tackle.’ Ernest Schwiebert – ‘Extract from Platforms of Despair’ in the book Death of a Riverkeeper. I had read these words and …
Reflecting on the infamous Spring of 2017 on Russia’s Kola Peninsula
My visit to Ryabaga Camp on the Ponoi – 3rd to 10th June 2017. Atlantic salmon fishing in Russia has been a phenomenon that all those that have been lucky enough to enjoy it are thankful for. Let us cast our minds back to the early 1990s. Scotland was in dire straits with the north-east drift nets still active. Catch …
Providence Atoll, Seychelles, 4th to 11th April 2017
Let’s get some details straight before we start this adventure. We were a party of three, all paying our way. This was a business trip for me but there was no obligation to be complimentary and, to be honest, if somewhere I visit is poor, I simply do not write about it. Our first team member was Dom Quinlan, a …
Ten things you need to know about the Ryabaga Camp on the Ponoi
The Journey – Most important to note is that you need to be in Helsinki on the Friday night before going to Russia the next day. Occasionally, because the days of the week are Saturday to Saturday for your week’s fishing, some guests forget about the Friday. You can leave as early as a 7.30 am flight (3-hour duration) from …
Research and Adventure, British Columbia, Canada October 2016
The Source of Adventures The ‘Mayor’ of Smithers greeted me like a long lost friend. He had been on the Kispiox for the day with friends. They had left early (it is about a 2-hour drive from his house) and were on the water almost at dawn. Consequently they were back in reasonable time. I had got in from Seattle …
Spring Fishing from Ryabaga Camp, Ponoi River
This video was made during the first week of the 2016 season, 28th May to 4th June. The river was in perfect condition and guests enjoyed great floating line and skated fly fishing. Having warmed up from the long winter and come in to condition, the river fishes at its very best which is why the first week, sometimes considered …
ION Beats of Lake Thingvallavatn 2016
This was my third year visiting these now famous pieces of water. You can read about my first time here and my second time here with an in-depth explanation of the lake, the fish and how it all fits together as well as how this extraordinary fishing phenomenon exists. The purpose of this short blog is to really re-affirm …