Air
Temp: 9C to 21C
Water
Temp: 13C to 14C to 13C
Water
height: +3cm to -12cm
Number
of rods: 17
Number
of fish caught: 187
Biggest fish: 32lbs John Bresnihan
No 30lb+: 2
No 20-29lbs: 22
No 8-19lbs: 131
Grilse: 32
Weather:
As
is ever the case on the north coast of the Kola Peninsula it was a mixed bag in
terms of weather. We had a warm day early on in the week but then a couple of
cool ones with winds swinging around at the end of the week.
 |
| Returning from fishing |
Manager’s Comments:
I
have been hosting this particular week for some years now and certainly the
final score of 187 is right up there among the best in recent years. The
timings of spring and the ice melt were consistent with what we remember as ‘normal’
from years gone by and consequently the Yokanga delivered.
 |
| Team photo on Sunday morning |
We
had a great start with some beautiful weather and very solid fishing. The cool
weather for the final two days of the week saw people scrambling for their
thermals but the best fishing of all was on the last day with some impressive
scores. Notably Bill W with seven to his own rod. Other than one grilse, his
fish weighed 14lbs, 16lbs, 17lbs, 19lbs, 21lbs and 23lbs. That is one
incredible day anywhere. It is always nice to finish on a high.
 |
| Typical June Yokanga salmon |
Looking
at the scores it was certainly noticeable that the colder weather was when we put
more big fish over 20lbs in the book. As ever there some seriously big fish
hooked which came unstuck. There were straightened hooks, fish that snagged on
rocks, knots that did not hold and some that simply got away for no particular
reason.
 |
| One that did not get away |
Despite
what I mention above, we had two terrific fish over 30lbs landed. One a 30lber
and personal best for Paulo H and a 32lber to John B, also his personal best. Congratulations to both of
you!
 |
| Paulo H's 30lber |
 |
| John B and his 32lber |
With
an additional 22 fish in the 20-29lb bracket that makes nearly 13% of fish caught
over 20lbs. What the figures do not show is the number of clean quality fish
caught in the high teens. Subject to where you hook them in a pool and how fresh
they are, these fish can go ballistic, jumping like crazy and tearing into your
backing. There were plenty of stories to attest to this statement.
 |
| Quality salmon that punch above their weight |
This
was my final week on the Yokanga. It is always a sadness to be leaving and I
would love to be there to see how the coming weeks pan out. Judging by the number
and quality of the fish we are seeing this season and the collective action
that people have had, I feel there will be plenty more good fishing to come
this season and no doubt some more big fish will be landed.
 |
| More of these to come |
I
am handing over to veteran Roxtons host, Bill Drury, and wish everyone tight
lines in the weeks to come.
 |
| Roxtons host, Bill Drury, taking over |
Henry
Mountain
