Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a visa to enter Russia? Yes, it runs $130-250 or more depending on your lead time and we will get you the proper forms and "sponsorship" you will need.
Are there other fishermen on your river(s)? Just plain no is the answer, nada, zip, zero the big goose egg
How do we get there? Vladivostok Air lines will fly from Anchorage to Kamchatka every Monday starting July 7 and ending September 15 with an additional flight on Thursdays from July 17 to August 21. This is a Japanese airline that has the ability to do this right.
You can also fly through Moscow to get there which gives you daily options. Please be forewarned that Russian Airlines will cancel flights often and un-announced, you must build a couple days of extra time to fly through Moscow. The flight from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk is around $1900 and from the flight through Moscow from New York City it is about $1800.
How many fish do you catch each day? an average day for most people is 30-40 fish. Numbers as high as a hundred a day are possible on the streams with lots of medium fish. It takes some dedication to hit those figures but the fish are that cooperative. Average bow is18- 22" with some 27-31" hooked each day.
Are the helicopters safe? The answer is yes. Air travel by helicopter is not without risk and it would be misleading to indicate that an accident is not possible. The helicopters are maintained to very high standards and the government regulates them. There has not been an accident with these helicopters since they have been running the fishing trips. They have a better safety record than the Alaska float planes .
When is the best time to go? The trout and char fishing is spectacular all season, but if you want Kings come early, silvers come in August and Khundza come in September ( see the fish seasons in the detail links after closing this overlay window)for more info.
When is the dry fly fly fishing good ? It is best in July but still very good in August and September. Like Alaska the salmon eggs can influence the fish. The more eggs in the river the more they key in on them. There are a lot more insects for them in these rivers as they are further south than Alaska. Dry flies are a big part of their diet throughout the year and a large skated caddis will draw attention all season long. Did you know that a big insect has just a much fat as a salmon egg?
You talk about rainbow trout a lot, is the salmon fishing good? Yes, the salmon fishing is great as well but it is not the reason to go that far as the salmon runs in Alaska are at least equal if not better. Remember Pacific Salmon die after spawning so they don't get smart like rainbows! Alaska salmon are just as stupid as Kamchatka salmon.
The rainbows are far more fun to catch anyway! people do not believe they will tire of catching 1o pound sockeyes that fight great, somehow it is so predictable and the fish are so similar that almost everyone will fish for salmon for an hour here or there but will leave it in search of that trophy rainbow.
Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page
PO BOX 180446 BOSTON MA 02118
Phone: 888-857-6700
Fax: 617-427-7890
ed@flyfishingheaven.com