The Atlantic Salmon runs rivers of the land masses that meet the Atlantic Ocean on it's eastern and western peripheries. In the west, this great fish enters the rivers of the eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada. In the east, it runs the rivers of Britain, Scandinavia and Russia. In addition, therefore, to the excellent fishing available in our home waters, we have access to superb Atlantic Salmon fishing at a variety of locations overseas.

Russia

Russia's Kola peninsula has wild and remote Salmon rivers offering some of the best Atlantic Salmon fishing in the world. The Ponoi river offers spectacular fishing in Arctic Russia's tundra wilderness. Ian was head guide at the Frontiers Ryabaga camp, catering for up to 20 anglers, on the lower Ponoi for five years. The catch and release operation offers spectacular sport between June and September. Despite the cold water, the Ponoi fish are keen to chase the fly and are often taken on the dry fly and bomber. Being virtually uninhabited, this remote river allows the angler a unique opportunity to observe the behaviour of the Atlantic Salmon in its natural environment. The self-sufficient Ryabaga Camp facility provides first class accommodation that is rebuilt every Spring. This is quite remarkable when we consider that it is only accessible by helicopter!

Ian hosts a party of up to 12 anglers for a full weeks fishing in August every year on the Ponoi based at the Ryabaga Camp. This week includes catches of the spectacular Fall run of salmon often into double figures. These fish give a great account of themselves. See the fishing news page for the report for this week for each year. We are now taking inquiries and bookings for the 2008 season for our annual trip to the Ponoi, Kola Penninsula in August, 2008. Please contact ian@speycaster.net for further information on dates and prices.

Norway

Norway is a beautiful country which has a variety of excellent Salmon rivers offering superb fly fishing. It is famed for it's huge salmon. Norwegian rivers are big and powerful and anglers should take care when offering a fly into it's turbulent waters. Thirty and forty pounders are not uncommon but the angler has to be patient and equipped with appropriate tackle. Look at the rivers Alta, Gaula, Laerdal, Aaro Namsen and the latent Vosso. Norway offers the potential of a fish of a lifetime.

Norwegian flyfishers club Frontiers

Sweden

Sweden has a plethora of freshwater fishing which is largely undiscovered by the rest of the world. Although probably better known for it's huge Sea Trout Sweden has a number of excellent Salmon rivers. The river Em offers fishing for some of the biggest Sea Trout in the world.

Fishing in Sweden

Iceland

Iceland is a unique holiday destination. It is a fascinating country of diverse geology with a comfortable summer climate. The Icelanders are proud of their country and it's resources and they take great pride in the maintenance of the natural fish population. Icelandic rivers are clean, pure and remote. It's Salmon are as prolific as ever and the fishing can be spectacular. Icelandic hospitality is second to none. The fish on the whole are not big, but are aggressive in the chase and take and can offer unforgettable sport.

Icelandic fishing Frontiers

Tierra Del Fuego

In the early 1900's a man called John Goodall decided to transport, by boat, a population of sea trout eggs and fry from the UK to the virgin waters of the Rio Grande in Southern Argentina. He had remarkable insight. The idea was that the offspring would generate a run of Sea Trout into it's rivers so providing fishing for himself and guests that he would otherwise have missed whilst living away from his beloved UK. The result was better than he could ever have expected.

The Rio Grande now offers probably the best Sea Trout fishing in the world. The fish are big and aggressive and take freely. They can be caught in daylight and they average 10 to 11lbs in weight! All fish are returned to the water. In partnership with Frontiers, Kau Tapen Lodge on the Rio Grande was launched in 1985. The fly only fishing is truly spectacular. Fish over 20lbs are taken each year and the fishing attracts guests from all over the world. Please contact ian@speycaster.net for further information on dates and prices.

Costa Rica

FISHING IN COSTA RICA. Ian hooks his first sailfish on fly. July 2002.

I had always longed to try my hand at fly fishing for Sailfish and it was good fortune that I was introduced to Gene Watson, an American skipper originally from Montana, who now resides in Costa Rica with his wife Elizabeth. They have lived here for 8 years now and Gene takes people fishing in his 31 foot Laurel hulled Gamefisher boat. The Flamingo 11 is immaculately maintained and powered by a new very quiet 315hp Yanmar diesel engine. She has a comfortable cabin with head and is clean and fast, cruising at 22 knots with a top speed of 27. Gene is a quietly spoken former Rythym and blues guitarist, having backed many well known celebrities such as Al Green. His passion for Marlin and Sailfishing remains the joy of his life. He says, "You never lose that buzz, that adrenalin surge every time a Billfish appears behind the teasers- it's such a thrill." I liked this guy and knew we were going to be friends very quickly. Gene has a very able assistant by the name of Noe. These two work together as a team and remain cool and calm whenever the action gets started.

We set off from Flamingo Marina a little after 7.30 am on another glorious day here in paradise, on the North Western shores of Costa Rica.
As we motored offshore into the deep Pacific Ocean we passed huge turtles basking in the early morning sun and flying fish and an assortment of sea birds came to give us a closer inspection. I was by now becoming truly excited but slightly nervous at the prospects of action that lay ahead of me. We had only been travelling some thirty minutes when Noe set out two teasers to the stern of the boat, leaving my side of the boat clear to cast a fly. The teasers are large plastic lures that bounce enticingly over the water and attract the billfish up to the surface. My fly rod was an #18 single handed Fisher, with upper cork handle for extra leverage when playing a fish. The reel was a Billy Pate saltwater reel, with #18 fly line and what seemed like a half mile of backing! Gene called down to me from his high steering seat that it would be good time to get used to the rod and line and suggested some practice casts while it was quiet. Little did I know what was just about to happen!

The routine is really quite easy. Noe began pulling in the teasers and called out to me "Cast, cast, cast!" I obeyed his every command and began to cast the line and enormous pink feathered fly with buoyant popper attached at the head. Looked as though I was casting half a chicken! Anyway, I was soon getting the idea and after only a couple of practice chucks Gene said "Well done, try again." Then suddenly his voice changed and he was pointing to the furthest teaser, "Sail up now Ian, this is for real !" Noe pulled the teasers in and I suddenly caught sight of this huge sailfish nosing it's bill on the surface. "CAST CAST CAST" came my instruction from above. I made one good cast right onto his nose, when Gene called to me "Let him bite it Ian." I watched in disbelief as this Sail turned and took hold of the fly. "Hit him hard Ian." said Gene again. I hit as hard as I could, two solid pulls to set the hook and then all hell let loose as I tried to hold on. The rod bent into a vicious arc as I laughed aloud at the fun of it all. Soon it was up on it's tail walking across the surface when it threw the hook! Couldn't believe it! Adrenalin was flowing and legs were shaking as I reeled in the slack line. Even though my fish was off, it had been a dream come true, just to hook one. It was 8-30 a.m. and I was dripping with sweat. "It's no good guys, I need a cold beer." With knees wobbling and heart racing I sat back and reflected on my experience. Gene indicated the fish was of average to big size, with Sails averaging 80lbs in these waters.

It can be a bit of a waiting game as the boat prowls the deep blue ocean for the Billfish. Nevertheless, the first incident happened so quickly. Before long another appeared at the teasers and I was up and ready to cast. Awaiting my instructions from Noe, I made a perfect cast right onto its'snout. Up he came and the fly disappeared in a huge swirl. This time I really made sure to set the hook as the action started again. It took off, about the same size as before, but just electric! I kept this fish on for quite a while and felt happy that I was getting it under control when again suddenly the hook came out! This time it was not my fault, the hook had straightened- such is life! Gene said that I had done everything perfectly, just a bad hook! But it was fun anyway.

Now it was the turn of my partner Rick. This time, a combination of teasers and lures were trailed from the stern of the boat, as he is not a fly fisher. The tackle now was Gold Penn and Shimano TDL reels on custom wrapped Calstar rods of 12, 20, 30, 50 and 80lb class. We cruised over the Ocean swell for quite some time searching for new quarry. This time I joined Gene up in his high steering platform as we watched for movement behind the teasers. Other boats in the area were reporting some hook ups on Marlin and Gene was sure we were going to encounter one soon. The water temp was 85 degrees and looking so very blue with ideal conditions for fishing. As we waited I took a short nap under the canopy. Soon Rick found himself playing a large Tuna of about 60lb. After a long tussle it threw the hook right by the boat. Would have kept us in Tuna sandwiches for six months! Then, all of a sudden, there were four Sails up to the teasers at one time. What a sight that was! Rick and I were then fighting two Sails side by side. This was great fun, even though they were hooked on the heavier gear. Both fish were safely landed by Noe, quickly photographed and carefully released to the sea. They were each around the 90-100 lb mark. We had another fish to the boat a little later, which was again swiftly released. Gene is a great conservationist and he uses only circle hooks, which ensure a clean release of the Billfish unharmed.

Despite trying once more with the fly, there were no more takers to be found that day and we reluctantly headed for home. It had been the thrill of a lifetime with 2 Sailfish hooked on fly, a Tuna hooked and lost and another 3 Sails to the boat. I had never experienced anythinh like this before. I intend to go back again soon and get my Sail on the fly, this time to the boat!

Please do get in touch if anyone is interested in a week's fishing here in this wonderful paradise. I am planning several Costa Rica fishing parties for next year and I will put a weekly package together, very soon. We will be staying in a very fine comfortable Hotel close to Flamingo or during the Winter months (January to April) we will be based further South at Playa Carillo. I can be contacted as always on: ian@speycaster.net

Ian Neale.