Russia

Kamchatka Outfitters

Fly Fishing Trip or Lodge Details:

Benson Expeditions became one of the first western guide services to operate in Kamchatka. They were looking for great salmon runs but couldn't keep the gigantic Rainbow Trout off their hooks. No one complained and the rest is history. Today Kamchatka is famous for it's huge Rainbow Trout. Benson introduced catch and release angling to Kamchatka and the use of Russian helicopters to access it's beautiful rivers for fly fishing. Exploratory trips are run each year (join us on one, if you're this kind of adventurer).

THE FISHING: Kamchatka's fishing for huge Rainbow Trout is excellent. They have been caught up to 33 1/2 inches! There are 6 species of Pacific Salmon. Arctic Char are present all summer. Kundzha (east Siberian Char) are great fighters! Salmon arrival times vary from stream to stream but generally arrive the same time in Kamchatka as Alaska. Fish for King Salmon from mid June through early July. Silvers arrive mid August and run through October. Chum run all season long. Sockeye Salmon arrive in July and August. Pinks run early August through September, but are only strong on even numbered years.

On going studies with Kamchatka Fish & Game have discovered Kamchatka's "special" sea run Rainbow Trout populations. These Rainbows go out to sea at age 2 or 3, remain there for 3, 4 or 5 years and then return to fresh water for the rest of their lives. Many of the big fish are 7 to 9 year old. The biggest sea run Rainbows were 10 years old! These fish remain in freshwater for many years so they are not Steelhead. In Alaska and the lower 48 most Rainbows die of old age at 6 or 7 years. These Coastal Rainbow Trout run from 5 to 15 pounds and enter the river from spring on.

Season Information

June to October

Rate Information

RATES: $4,900 per person, plus $150 Visa Invitation fee. 8 days (Friday to Friday ), 6 full days of fishing. Or, $8,500 for two different rivers, two weeks. Effective through November 2010.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND CAPACITY: The tent camps are totally mobile. With helicopters, these float trips take you to the best fishing river during your trip. A staff of 6 do the work while you fish and relax. You don't have to set up camp.

A large dining tent affords shade and shelter. Folding director chairs double as seats in the rafts and around the large dining table. Camps are right at the best fishing holes. What a wonderful way to see the country and wildlife as you fish and enjoy the wilderness. There is lots of time for fishing; you're on the river the whole time! There are even hot showers!

The Russian guides have experience from the past 15 years. They are expert oarsmen, expert woodsmen and great people to be around! An Alaskan fishing guide is also on each trip.

INCLUSIONS: Pretty much everything. Helicopter flights, highly experienced guides (client to guide ratio is 2:1), licenses, complete camps, all transportation in Kamchatka, full time interpreter, fully guided fishing, and fishing licenses. We even provide sleeping bags, sleeping pads and waterproof bags if you need them. While on the river local Russians will cook all meals. The traditional Russian meals are plentiful and delicious! One nights hotel and meals at trip's end in Petropavlovsk is included in the package price should it be needed.

EXCLUSIONS: Flights to Russia are additional. Visa support costs $150. There are no other costs. No mandatory trip insurance or mandatory medical evacuation insurance costs, however we highly suggest trip insurance because it covers evacuation and medical insurance. Gratuities, telephone calls (when available!), items of a personal nature, etc.

General Information

LOCATION: Kamchatka, Russia

HOW TO GET THERE: Fly to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka, Russia (PKC). We prefer to help with flight reservations and find that flights from Anchorage (ANC) offer the best flight connections for these trips. Please call us.

HOST: Jim Benson