Fishing report 21 - 26 JUNE 2016

Second week of the season, and the Belousiha River lodge was visited by guests from France. The weather all week was ideal for fishing. Several days were summery, not so much cloud cover, but mainly for the week cloud cover was good, with frequent precipitation. The air temperature by the end of the week fell from 17 to 9 ° C. The water level dropped by one to two centimeters a day, but flows were maintained at a nice pace, enabling switch rods and fly presentation without too much stripping being required to incite takes. Wind was mostly southerly for the duration, and Water temperature ranged between 11 - 13 ° C.

 This week saw good numbers of Atlantic salmon enter the Belousiha. With good water levels, the fish accessed all areas of the river without problem, and were in super fine fitness. Fresh from the sea, everyone silver, and with good numbers of large female fish, as well as the first showing of the smaller males.

 On the first day trip organiser David made us very aware of his skills, taking no less than three good salmon of 81, 87 and 91 cm, all from the pool known as "Three steps". The latter fish turned out to be the biggest of the week. The fly “Black Francies” in tube form, with a size 8 double his preferred hook. Perhaps because of this excellent result, Black Francies became a very popular fly this week. Daniel, Jean-Jacques and Laurent also got in on the action, with fish coming from pools “Obkom”, “Big Stone” and again “Three Steps”. Fish of 84cm, 84cm and a cracking male of 75cm. A “Cascade” was responsible for his mistake.

 The second day brought five fish. Again David did very well. From the "Big Stone" he caught a hen of 82 and cock fish of 60 cm. Jean-Pierre also landed two Grilse of 49 and 57 cm from “Glinker” and “Inspector pool” respectively. Cascade and Blue charm doing the business for him. In the first step of of "Three steps" Pascal caught a female of 81 cm.

 The third day. “Three steps” again producing the goods, where Jean-Jacques and Christian successfully worked their Silver Stoat’s  and Black Frances. Result:. Three males 45, 65 and 82 cm. From “Glinker” on beat 3,  David continued to add to his tally, with a fish of 54 cm using the fly “ Red Butt”

 Day four. The heroes of the day were Dominique and Jean-Jacques and David again. On Beat 1, pools "Golden pool" and "two stones" produced two salmon of 68 and 75 cm. In the "Obkom" pool on beat 3, Black Frances was responsible for a fish of 70cm.

 Fifth day. Jean-Jacques acquired a new personal best salmon. Under the guidance of head guide Sergey, he caught a 85 cm female, again “black Frances” worked in pool “Obkom” on beat 3,  and later on "Glinker" he nearly beat it again, with a cracking 84 cm male fish on the fly “Cascade”. Pascal fishing on "Swedish table" up on Beat 1, managed a fish of 72 cm, again falling to a “Black Francies” Dominique managed a fish of 72cm from “Golden pool” on beat 1, with the fly “Green Butt” proving to be a good choice.

 Final days fishing, and  Jean-Pierre fishing Golden pool on beat 1 hooked a beast of a fish, perhaps over 1 meter, a fish noted earlier in the week on the same pool. After an epic battle, during which the fish made the sanctuary of a shallow scrape some hundred meters downstream, the fish looked beaten, on its side and without energy. However, during the battle, the fish had managed to roll up in the tippet, and as the fish was worked towards the waiting net, a final surge saw the hook come free. Some consulation came soon after, when he landed fish of 75 and 74 cm (both males) on a “Willigun”. Meanwhile, Laurent landed two fish, 64 and 74 cm on the Black Frances on "Glinker" and "Obkom."

 This was the first visit to the Belousiha for this group from France. And they delighted the whole camp with their charm and gallantry. We hope very much to see them again on a future visit.

Result of the week:

Eight fishermen

Caught: 26 Atlantic salmon

Lost: 16 Atlantic salmon

Record of the week - 91 cm Atlantic salmon was proyman rod switch # 7 fishing a fly-Black Francies.