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Kamchatka Peninsula

Russian Far East


Kamchatka is one of the world's last greatest wildernesses as well as the most interesting, unique, and beautiful venue to catch the rainbow trout of a lifetime. Gaining access to this wonderful resource is the most important development on the trout fishing scene in decades.

Long a place shrouded in secrecy, Kamchatka was until recently known to Westerners only as a closed military region or as a name on the Risk game board. With the fall of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union in 1990, the Kamchatka Peninsula was opened to the outside world. Adventurous anglers since that time have only begun to realize the potential. Out of the twelve hundred navigable rivers on the peninsula, only thirty have been explored or fished by western sportsman. Kamchatka is very sparsely populated, averaging less than one person per square kilometer with most of the inhabitants living in the regional capital of Petropavlosk. This is a place where there are more brown bears, reindeer, and moose than people, and more rivers than anglers.

Kamchatka, a peninsula comparable in size to Japan, is located directly across the Bering Sea from Alaska, only a few miles from the most westerly Aleutian Island. Today, as during the Cold War, Russia's entire Pacific fleet of nuclear submarines is based here. Even a decade after the Cold War's end, the Russian government continues to maintain a heavy military presence on the peninsula.

In many ways the Kamchatka Peninsula is very similar to Alaska, only without the crowds or the development. It is a place of breathtaking beauty and unique wildlife, mixing striking scenery of mountains, tundra, forests and rugged coastline. Russia's largest volcano belt made up of twenty-nine active craters stretches along its shore, many of which are seen and heard from each of the rivers fished. A third of the world's pacific salmon return to spawn here, as well as enormous populations of char and steelhead not to mention the planet's last known genetically pure strain of rainbow trout.

There is no question that Kamchatka is not a destination for everyone. Kamchatka is a beautiful place for the adventurous traveler who is looking for a totally unique endeavor abroad in a foreign land, as well as a wonderfully solitude fishing experience that rivals anything we have yet to encounter.


Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company operates four different programs on three unique drainages on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The programs we represent are listed as follows:


Zhupanova River Float Trip
Zendzur Lodge - Lower Zhupanova River
Sedanka Spring Creek Float Trip
Northerly Rivers Exploratory Trips

Please scroll to "The Fishing" for a detailed desription of each fishery and corresponding fishing program.

GENERAL FISHING INFORMATION

Each of Kamchatka’s rivers shares many similarities and differences; allowing us to match up your expectations, preferences, and angling style with the correct fishery. Some of the trips are float trips where anglers visit multiple camps, while some are jet boat camps where anglers spend the week in the same camp but cover miles of water using powerboats. Some rivers are giant freestones that are home to the biggest trout on the globe, some are smaller spring creeks that are more conducive to dry fly fishing for larger numbers. Each program only accommodates four - six anglers, which makes for a very intimate and private group setting. There is no doubt that this is a hard-core fishing trip, however the fishing schedule is actually quite civilized. Camps are very comfortable, there are no early morning wake up calls, and everyone enjoys a made to order breakfast and hot coffee before the day begins.

Based upon a few years of research and our personal experience on the peninsula the last six seasons, we strongly feel that the quality of the rainbow trout fishing in Kamchatka is unsurpassed anywhere on the planet. Anglers should expect to have the trout fishing adventure of a lifetime. Over the last five seasons, an average of only forty-five anglers fished each individual drainage throughout the three months of the season. This proves that each stretch of river is well rested when you arrive and the fish are very eager and cooperative. There is no other place on the planet where fly-rodders can expect to find such high numbers of quality, large, uneducated trout. Equally as unique is the bizarre fact that the trout in most fisheries of Kamchatka would rather eat a dry fly or a mouse pattern than they would a salmon egg pattern; despite the presence of enormous runs of all five species of pacific salmon. This is very refreshing to those who have fished Alaska and were disappointed with nymphing, swinging flies, or drifting an egg pattern as a mandatory technique in order to have success. Although trophy trout are the targeted species, in addition to an abundance of arctic grayling every river hosts huge runs of anadromous fishes such as all five species of salmon, char, dolly varden, steelhead, and khundza (an eastern Pacific species of char found only in Kamchatka) as well. Depending upon what time of the season you elect to visit Kamchatka, these species can all be taken in abundance on dry flies, mice, and streamer patterns. It is also important to mention that on every trip, jet boats and rafts are used exclusively for transportation - nearly all of the fishing in done wading very user-friendly terrain.

It is often said that Kamchatka is Alaska one hundred years ago. Kamchatka is the last known place on the planet where you can find pure strain populations of several previously unidentified rainbow trout subspecies that have not suffered from the influence of man. Unlike the rest of the trout’s kingdom, there have been no hatchery fish introduced and very little poaching or pollution has had an effect on the trout populations. As a result Kamchatka provides a pristine environment for western anglers to catch huge fish that have never seen a fly, and is an ideal laboratory for scientists to learn about a species in its original condition and habitat. The average fish caught each season on some rivers has exceeded twenty-five inches, while other drainages consistently yield forty-fifty fish a day (or even more) in the 20-27 inch range - the majority of which are taken on mouse patterns and high floating dry flies. In all honesty, there really seems to be no small fish! But perhaps the most appealing aspect to a trip in Kamchatka is the solitude, remoteness and exclusively of this wonderful fishery. It is an eerie feeling to haul in a monster rainbow on a size #10 caddis pattern, all the while knowing that there is not another human (much less another angler) within a hundred miles!

The following is a list and description of the five tenured programs Tailwaters is currently booking in our Kamchatka program. Again, each program is differing in the style of fishing, character, accommodation, size and average numbers of fish typically taken, and distance from Petropavlovsk. Choosing the "right" river for you is not often an easy task, so please let us know how we can describe each fishery in detail to best match you preferences and expectations.

All of our programs operate on a Friday - Friday fishing schedule with six full days of fishing and two additional half days of fishing on arrival and departure days time permitting.



The Rivers

Zhupanova River Float Trip
The Zhupanova is perhaps the most beautiful and scenic river in Kamchatka. It's close proximity to Petropavlovsk (one hour by helicopter) and its huge Rainbows make it perhaps the most popular river on the peninsula. The average trout living in the Zhupanova is a solid twenty-five inches! Later in the season around the first week of August, huge white spotted char known as Khundza arrive which average around twenty-seven inches and some of these veracious critters easily bust thirty-five inches and are a rod breaking fight on a seven weight. Of course there is also enormous runs of all five species of salmon (particularly the silver or Coho), however most anglers soon discover that they are in search of the huge rainbows and do not pay any attention to the salmon. Also found in excessive numbers are aggressive dolly varden that are easy to catch, make for good photos, and will grab a mouse or flesh fly with abandon.

The Zhupanova is a river for those angers that are willing to trade in large numbers of fish and dry flies, for sheer size. Because this river is enormous freestone and the fish are huge, six and seven weight rods are mandatory (spey rods have become popular as well) and conditions often dictate exclusively fishing streamers and sinking lines. If you are a dry fly purist and need twenty-five fish days to make you happy, the Zhupanova is not for you. However, the majority of the season anglers do have excellent success skating large dry flies (steelhead style) and mouse patterns as well. The Zhupanova may be the best river on the planet to have a shot at a real trophy wild trout in a traditional freestone setting.

Our Zhupanova program takes six guests a week. Anglers float between six pre-established camps over nearly thirty miles of river. Similar to all of the trout programs we represent, all of the fishing is done wading. The huge inflatable rafts used carry two anglers and a guide per boat, and are purely for transportation between fishing spots and camps. Huge cottonwood, birch, and aspen trees, snowcapped mountains, and volcanoes line the river - not to mention the occasional brown bear doing a little fishing of his own.

Zendzur Lodge - Lower Zhupanova River
Zendzur Lodge on the lower Zhupanova River sits in the shadow of a snow-capped volcano, and is surrounded by a thick forest wilderness. Anglers at Zendzur utilize "Alaskan-style" jet-boats to access 25 miles of classic freestone riffles and runs. They average 24 - 26 inches and reach a JumBOW maximum somewhere in the 33-35 inch range. Like the rest of Kamchatkan trout, they regularly crush skated mouse patterns, swung streamers on sink-tip lines, and, in July and early August, traditional Western dry flies.

The river also has similar runs of huge Asiatic white-spotted char - or "kundzha” (30-40 inches long) as well as Dolly Varden and Silver Salmon starting in early August. Zendzur Lodge itself is a beautiful, traditional Russian wilderness outpost, hidden on the edge of a birch and cottonwood forest. Staffed with a combination of talented American and Russian professionals, lodge amenities are surprisingly deluxe, given the remote nature of the operation. They include double and triple rooms, each with a private bathroom, shower and sitting room. One of the highlights of Zendzur is the fabulous on-site natural hot-springs, enclosed in a banya house, just down from the Lodge on the riverbank. The style and quality of fishing accommodations at Zendzur Lodge is, by quite a wide margin the best in Kamchatka. This, combined with the trophy size of Zendzur trout, world-record kundzha char, and the variety of gamefish available, makes Zendzur Lodge an experience of a lifetime.

The Sedanka Spring Creek Float Trip
The Sedanka is a classic Spring Creek and is without doubt Kamchatka's best dry fly river. If you are interested in fishing mouse patterns and dry flies, this is the river for you. The Sedanka is a perfect mixture of the Henry's Fork and the Madison classic spring creek slicks separated by a series of riffles and braided sections. The average depth of the stream is roughly to your knees, making the entire river easily wadeable and easy to fish.

Typically, anglers find themselves fishing a mouse pattern to eager fish all morning and switching to a dry fly after lunch once you started seeing rising fish. Again, despite the presence of a huge sockeye run in the Sedanka, anglers can expect to take high numbers of trout on very basic, high floating dry flies every day under normal conditions. The average trout on the Sedanka is a solid twenty inches, with several fish in the 25-26 inch range taken daily as well. Again, 100% of the fishing is done wading the shallow pools and riffles on the Sedanka. Anglers float between two fixed camps wading various stretches of river along the way.

The facilities on the Sedanka are the most developed and comfortable camps on our northern rivers. Spacious yurt tents, heated showers and dressing rooms, log cabin dining facilities, flushing toilets, and of course around the clock electricity provide all the creature comforts for the more high maintenance angler.

If you are a dry fly fishing purist, I would look no further than the Sedanka. The Sedanka is also the most user friendly of all the rivers in Kamchatka, very easy wading and casting, extremely comfortable camps, a less intensive float schedule, and typically yields the highest numbers of trout taken relative to the other rivers. The Sedanka is also our recommendation for those anglers who are a bit worried about their physical conditioning and don't want to work too hard. However, the more physically fit anglers will find the Sedanka alluring as well. Miles and miles of river remain untouched each week, and you can feel free to hike, explore, and fish as much water as you would like.

Exploratory Trips for 2010
We are organizing six exploratory trips for the 2010 season beginning July 16th and running until August 27th. These trips are a bit more rustic in nature than our established programs, however offer the most adventurous anglers with the opportunity to actually pioneer new rivers and streams. Every year new rivers are being "discovered" yielding phenomenal stories of even bigger fish and better fishing.
The bulk of our exploratory adventures this season will take place in the Pirozhnikova River system on two tributaries that have been partially explored in 2005 and again in 2008. We will conduct 4 exploratory float trips on two tributaries further upstream from the previously fished water. Before our exploratory trip in 2005, the Pirozhnikova had never been fished by any western or American fly-fishermen. One hundred fish days, trout literally fighting for your fly, and the occasional 25+ inch monster is a part of the Pirozhnikova experience.

Rainbow trout of the Pirozhnikova drainage are super abundant and are typically in the 17-21 inch range. However, on days when you hook in excess of 30 or 40 trout you will undoubtedly catch fish in the 22-25 inch range. The biggest fish we have measured on the Pirozhnikova is 27 inches.


Although simple, there really is no roughing it aspect to the facilities. Each individual camp varies from the next, however are all semi-permanent structures set up preceding the season. We were extremely surprised at the quality and comfort level of the accommodations. Each camp also runs full time electricity off of diesel burning generators, and all of the facilities in camp are heated with wood burning stoves. Sleeping quarters accommodate two anglers each, and consist of double walled sleeping huts or birch wood cabins appointed with comfortable framed cots, electric outlets, a plenty of room to store gear. The mess building is also heated with a full table setting for a very civilized and comfortable meal. Every camp has a separate heated showering facility complete with hot water and flushing toilets. A drying facility for waders and wet clothing is also a part of every camp - a warm and welcome place to slip on dry waders on a chilly morning. Common areas are paved with wooden planked walkways making barefoot walking comfortable. Each sleeping quarters is also connected by a riverstone or wooden pathway to the main fire pit.

Of course if you are at the Zendzur Lodge, you return each day from the river to a welcoming framed lodge and all the creature comforts of huge. The facility has double and triple occupancy rooms with private bathrooms and the amenities you expect from a wilderness fishing lodge. Accommodations are actually very plush considering the remoteness of the operation. The highlight of any trip to Zendzur is the natural hot springs and banya to soak in and warm up after a day on the river.

The food and drink on the float are very good considering the remoteness. Lunches are usually sandwiches with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, and breads. Dinners are always warm and fresh with lots of soups, noodles, pork, salmon, caviar, vegetables, fresh fruit, good coffee, fresh Russian beer and lots of vodka. Some of the happiest times are had with the Russian staff around the campfire sharing stories and passing the bottle.

Again, the camp schedule is very laid back and civilized. Your camp woodsman arrives in your tent or cabin early in the morning to light the fire in your stove and deliver coffee. Once everyone starts moving, anglers converge on the main dining facility for breakfast. Lunch is taken in the field and there is always time for a shower and a cocktail before dinner.

We prefer to stress that although the accommodations have been labeled as camping out, please know that give the remoteness, the facilities are a nice and comfortable as possible. If you are reluctant to book a trip to Kamchatka for fear of being uncomfortable in camp, or are curious whether your spouse would enjoy the experience, I would love to go into more detail discussing the accommodations. Personally, I feel that once managed with the right expectations, the most high maintenance people should be comfortable and happy in camp.




6 Anglers Per Week


Anglers making the trip to Kamchatka in 2009 will make the trip to from Petropavlovsk via Moscow as follows:

Pleaserefer to the following Sample Itinerary Below for details


WEDNESDAY
Travel commercially from home city to Chicago.

Depart Chicago (ORD) on American Airlines #158 @ 5:25PM

THURSDAY
Arrive Moscow (DME) @ 12:35PM

Connect onward to Petropavlovsk (PKC) with Transaero Airlines on evening flight.

Depart Moscow (DME) on Transaero #117 @ 6:15PM

FRIDAY
Arrive Petropavlovsk (PKC) @ 12:25PM

Anglers arrive into "P.K", clear customs, and are taken immidiately to the heli-port for the helicopter transfer to the river of your choice.

NOTE: Helicopter flights are approximately 1 hour for Zhupanova programs and approximately 3 hours for Sedanka and Pirozhnikova programs.

Upon arrival at camp, anglers will have a half day of fishing time permitting.

SATURDAY - THURSDAY
Six full days of guided fishing.

FRIDAY
Following a half day of fishing, anglers are returned via helicopter to Petropavlovsk where ovenight accommodations are provided at the Purga Hotel.

SATURDAY
Depart Petropavlovsk (PKC) on Transaero Airlines #118 @ 3:30PM
Arrive Moscow (DME) @ 3:50PM (same day)

Overnight in Moscow.

SUNDAY
Depart Moscow on American Airlines #159 @ 2:40PM
Arrive Chicago (ORD) @ 4:30PM (same day)

Connect onward to home city


The Season
We are running weeklong trips from July 16 – August 27, 2010. The weeklong trips are based on a Friday – Friday schedule with six full days of fishing and two proper half days on arrival and departure day. Identical to last season, anglers will travel via Moscow en route to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka. American Airlines is now running non-stop flights from Chicago to Moscow with a seamless and reliable connection onward to Kamchatka.

11 Night / 10 Day Trips:
During the first and last weeks of the season (July 6-16 & August 27-September 6) we will be operating eleven night / ten day trips on the Sedanka Spring Creek for the same cost as the standard 7 night / 6 day package.


There is no "best" time to visit Kamchatka. Because so much is still being learned about all these fisheries, we have not yet discovered any rhyme or reason to when certain rivers fish best. A few of the rivers we represent were only fished for the first time last year, there is simply not enough experience to evaluate any trends in the quality of the fishing.

When salmon arrive later in the season, a trout's behavior is altered somewhat, however this does not adversely affect the overall quality of the fishing. Fish hold in different runs and the guides may mix up the areas fished to accommodate the evolution of the river once the salmon show up. This should not be a consideration when planning a trip because the numbers of fish taken remains fairly consistent no matter the time of year.

The weather in late June and mid-July, and again in September is typically a little cooler than in the month of August. Guests who fish early and late season should expect lows in the mid thirties with the occasional frost, and highs in the sixties - seventies in a typical week. August has a little warmer and drier conditions as well, however any type of weather can occur on any given week.

Although weather is extremely variable and always changing, in general the summer climate in Kamchatka is less harsh than what is typically found in Alaska and in more northerly climates. On any given week anglers should expect to fish in a tee shirt one day, and be piling on the layers and rain jacket the following. No-see-ums, white socks, and Mosquitoes are found in greater numbers during July and August, and are usually completely gone by September.


Because there are daily connecting flights from Moscow to PK and back, a layover in Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Petropavlovsk (or all three) is possible. We would be happy to assist coordinate additional touring and exploring in both Kamchatka as well as Western Russia in conjunction with your fishing vacation. Moscow is one of the great cities of the world. As a center of the "new" Russia, Moscow is very cosmopolitan and vibrates with bustle and energy. Its sheer urban beauty and awesome historical legacy as a center of art, learning, and culture, will take your breath away. And the capitol, St. Petersburg, home to Peter the Great's winter palace, Catherine the Great's summer palace, and the Hermitage Art Gallery, is worth a trip to Russia all by itself.

Kamchatka itself is also of interest. Its natural wonders are at least as diverse and breathtaking as those found in Alaska, maybe more so. The famous Valley of the Geysers, Nalichevsky National Park, Timonovskye Hot Springs, Avacha Bay, and Kurilskoe Lake Brown Bear Preserve are easily accessible day-trips, based out of Petropavlovsk.




A Word About Helicopters:

The helicopters used to access the remote wilderness of Kamchatka are known as the Russian made Mi-8. Although cosmetically these choppers can use some work, they are actually very solid aircraft with flawless maintenance records. They are used by over fifty United Nations countries worldwide, and have proven themselves with millions of hours flown in both military and civilian usage.

The Mi-8 is to Kamchatka what the floatplane is to Alaska. There are over eight hundred on the peninsula performing numerous tasks including hauling Americans and their gear to the most remote corners of Kamchatka. Nearly all of our clients commented on how smooth, powerful, and stable these workhorses feel while in flight. With two jet engines and an 18,000-pound payload, the Mi-8 rarely operates at half its capacity. The Russians are extremely cautious about flying in poor weather, and unlike an airplane if you run into poor visibility, the pilots can simply turn around.

Russian and American Staff:
We have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the staff in Russia. There are dozens of service-oriented personnel who ensure that these trips function as planned, and that anglers are happy and comfortable. From the moment you arrive in Petropavlovsk you are met by competent English speaking escorts who transport anglers to the heli-port for the flight to the river. Each program consists of the following staff: American head guide, Russian guides, translator, cook, and two "woodsman". These "woodsman" are there to ensure that fires are always lit, the generators are running, the shower is always warm, and that guests are comfortable. The Russian guides are intimately familiar with the rivers fished, and do an excellent job of finding fish, reading water, assisting with casting instruction, rigging equipment, etc.

The Russians are also extremely safe, friendly, and knowledgeable, in addition to excellent guides. Fishing and socializing with the Russians is a very interesting experience and one of the most memorable aspects of the entire trip. They are a delight to talk with, are great hosts, and are very forthcoming with tales of their life in the Soviet Union, Russia, and in Kamchatka. The Russian staff is well educated, well traveled, and add a wonderful uniqueness to the adventure.

Each program also has an American representative who acts as your liaison and head guide. Every program has a staff that has been well trained in providing the creature comforts and quality service that we Americans expect.

It is also important to note that every camp has a host of dogs on camp known as Laicas. These ancestors to the American Husky are used to scare away bears and make nice companions.



Sedanka Spring Creek & Exploratory Trips:
$5950 - $6400 Per Person

Zhupanova Float and Zendzur Lodge Programs:
$5950 Per Person




All lodge/camp accommodations; Daily guided fishing (2 anglers per guide); Meals; Airport reception & transfers in Kamchatka; Helicopter flights



Fishing License ($100 USD); Alcoholic beverages; Use of fishing equipment and flies; Gratuities (8-10% of trip cost); Use of satellite phone; Misc Travel expenses

Additional Travel Expenses – Approximately $2500-$2800 US ***
Other expenses involved include the following and are subject to change:

- Russian Visa
- Mandatory Evacuation Insurance
- Roundtrip Airfare to/from Petropavlovsk, Russia and U.S.A.
- Hotel stay in Moscow on Saturday Night of return
- Optional Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance (Recommended)

*** We will provide all Kamchatka participants with detailed information on how to obtain the aforementioned travel requisites upon booking.


A non-refundable 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to hold all reservations. Final balance is due May 1, 2009. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation /refund and responsibility clauses.

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