Atlantic Salmon fishing in Umba River

The pools of the Umba River and Krivetz River

The scenic Umba River flows out of Kanozero Lake and down into the White Sea. It is considered one of the finest rivers in the world for Atlantic Salmon. The hottest salmon fishing spots:

• Golden Run: A 300 meters stretch from Lake Poncho down to Golden Pool; it is fished from both sides.
• Golden Pool: This pool is 8 minutes walk downstream from the Krivetz camp. It is very easily waded and fished. Then follows a one-and-a-half mile stretch of river with fish throughout.
• The Bar:  This pool is just a few hundred yards upstream from the lodge and is reached by boat. It is fished from the boat in early June and by wading later on.
• Doctor's Pool: This is the first holding pool on the river. It is fished either from the boat or from the cape.
• Home Pool: This pool is fished well from both banks. Access to the right bank is by wading the by-pass just in front of the lodge; access to the other bank is by boat; either with guides during fishing hours or later by rowing across on your own. Excellent fishing during the whole season and with all water levels. One of the best available pools.
• Long Pool: This is the largest pool on the Krivetz river, about 500 meters long, and situated about twenty five minutes walk downstream from the tent camp. It is fished from both banks, quite easily to wade, and it has a great place for riverside lunch.
• Little Red Pool: A 40 meters stretch of water in 10 minutes walking distance upstream from the Island Pool.
• Island Pool: Situated 25 minutes walk upstream from Junction Pool. A very good pool with 150 meters of fishable water. The Island is reached by wading or by rubber boat.
• Office Pool: This pool is the first pool after a long hard rapid and is truly one of the very best Atlantic Salmon Pools in the world. Its 15 minutes walking from the Junction Pool.
• Junction Pool: This is the last pool on the lower Umba river and is situated 3 miles upstream from the lodge. The fish has rest here before running on up the Krivetz river. Only fishable by boat.
• Rat Pool: This pool is accessible by boat about 400 meters above Lower Rat Pool. It is fished equally well either from bank or from the boat.
• Lower Rat Pool: Situated 2 miles upstream from the lodge and accessed by boat.
• Brad's Pool: Access is by boat or on foot about a mile upstream from the lodge. The wading is very easy and the stream only moderate. It is fished equally well from both banks.
• Lohkinka:  A beautiful fast pool for big fish.

Fishing recommendations

• All fishing is based on Catch&Release rules.
• Only barbless single or double hooks are allowed.
• Fishing-tackle has to be suitable for catching Salmon!
• For spinning we advise: reel: Shimano, line: 0.35 - 0.40, blinker type: crocodile, Kyasamo 20-30 grams and the use of wobblers.
• Rusty Rat and small Sunray Shadow-Tubes. Use bigger flies at the beginning and end of the season. During summer dry flies also work very well. Try a Bomber!

Fly rods and lines

Both single- and double-handed rods are fine.

• Single handed of 9 to 10 ft in line classes 6-10.
• Double handed of 12 to 15 ft in line classes 9-12.

Clothes

• Neoprene or Gore-Tex waders with corkers/cleats. Wading staff for the Krivetz fishing.
• Fishing jacket and mittens.
• Warm clothes and cap for cold evenings or for early or late season.
• Rain clothes.

Three basic flies

• Green Highlander
• Red Butt
• Silver Doctor

The Billy Butt.

An essential fly for Umba river
Hook: single or double 2-8
Tag: oval copper tinsel
Tip: red antron
Tail: red antron
But: yellow hackle
Body: flat copper tinsel
Ribbing: oval copper tinsel
Wing: black foxtail with some copper flash
Front hackle: black
Head: black
Cheeks optional