Russian Landcruiser and rainbow trout pics

[DocB]

Dudes, in August I went on a fly fishing expedition on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Siberia, across the Bering Sea from Alaska. I was the expedition doctor. Spent two weeks rafting and fishing the upper Ozernaya River. Very very remote; we were the exploratory crew on this river and the very first group ever to fish this river. There are still hundreds of rivers to explore on Kamchatka; during the cold war it was sealed as a military reservation and was sparsely populated. Only one road between two towns, otherwise 800 miles of roadless wilderness peninsula. The only way to get around is by Russian Mi8 helicopter (pictured), a 1960s beast. This peninsula is actually in Asia and 2 hrs flight north of Japan. Landcruisers are, of course, popular given the terrain.
This is a picture of our outfitter's Landcruiser Wagon next to our helicopter before we left for the tundra. It is fairly new, four wheel LEAF SPRUNG, auto, and right hand drive. Strange.
This gives me a chance to show off a pic of myself with a very large Trophy 'Bow. These are all native fish, never stocked. Caught them on every type of fly you can imagine, including large mouse and lemming patterns. These fish eat mice crossing the river! Some of the largest river run bows in the world; I caught several 27 inchers. Also caught huge Grayling and Dolly Vardon Char by the hundreds. And saw grizzly bears almost every day.

 

[crucible]

Way cool-one day I'll get to fly fish in some place like that.

Cruc

 

[yooper]

WOW! A dream trip. What the heck kind of Cruiser is that? HZJ78?

 

[Grouseman]

DocB,

Well looks like a great trip. Only problem with it, you didn't chase Grouse while there. That is a great pic of the Bow.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

I don't know what model that is (a 70??) but it's from Japan. RHD is a giveaway + the little mirror on the front left wing - they are mandatory in Japan.

Nice Fish. Did it rain a lot?

 

[Landpimp]

very cool!

japanese spec hzj77

 

[Benji]

You are lucky guy. Thtat must have been one long orgasm. I bet that chopper was a bit shady. Were you scared to jump on that thing? Fish ON.

 

[NocalFJ60]

That sounds like a lot of fun. Nice pictures.

 

[PHBeerman]

(Wiping drool from face)

Sorry in advance guys


Screw the Cruiser give us more fish pics.

 

[DocB]

Well, if you insist. Here's a pic of my buddy Ray with a monster Russian Rainbow. This has convinced me to get into (digital) photography, that's why I ended up with this new computer and therefore on this forum.. Also me with a large Dolly Vardon Char; these are bigger than the Dollies in Alaska by far. And yours truly with an 8 weight fly rod bent in half. I had a fish snap a 7 weight, we broke several heavy rods on fish (lifetime warranty). If you know fly fishing, the largest rod generally needed in Montana and the lower 48 is a 5 weight. These were a fight on 7 and 8 weight rods; some fights lasted 15 minutes. We had Russian Leica dogs with us; they are trained to patrol the camp and give early warning about grizzlies; they are bred to hunt bear. They were very necessary on this trip; Kamchatka has the highest concentration of grizzlies on earth and they came into our camps every night. The dogs and guide's gunfire would run them off. They killed a 600 pounder in our camp after he got into the food. Yes, the trip of a lifetime. It rained some but you go prepared with all waterproof/breathable gear, waterproof luggage (from Watershed), and 100% DEET to be applied 5 times a day (clouds of man eating mosquitoes almost constantly). Heaven. ;p

 

[Grouseman]

DocB,

Got anymore?

SS

 

[VTCruiser]

NICE fish, sounds like an awesome trip

 

[PHBeerman]

Dude that sounds like a blast. Now you have ruined my whole weekend schedule. Fishing is in order.

 

[Grouseman]

Hey I might post fish pics soon. Going to U.P. in the morning to chase Grousers, and Salmon.

SS

 

[TOY350]

Very nice Doc, thanks for sharing. Sorry I don't fish, so I'm drooling over the Cruiser!

 

[kevin g]

Thanks for sharing your trip stories and pictures. That sounds like my dream vacation.

 

[Stone]

DocB: WOW!! Definitely large rainbows on a river. I'm always intrigued with stories and pictures of fish in places that I haven't been to before...thanks for sharing. You've insipired me to tie up some more flies for the coho salmon now starting to trickle into our rivers.

 

[Jman]

Also me with a large Dolly Vardon Char; these are bigger than the Dollies in Alaska by far. And yours truly with an 8 weight fly rod bent in half. I had a fish snap a 7 weight, we broke several heavy rods on fish (lifetime warranty).

Maybe you were fishing downstream from a nuclear reactor? J/K

Awesome trip. What was the pucker factor in the helicopter? Then again, it might shake less than my Cruiser and get better gas mileage.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

That's a fishing trip! Were there any brownies in those rivers or just rainbows?

The Russian Leica dogs - is that one in the chopper photo?

 

[DocB]

Pucker factor was high in the chopper. They are huge and old. They landed out on the tundra to perform maintenance. Popped the hood and looked like they were checking the oil or something! Despite their appearance and age, they supposedly have a good safety record. They loaded 25 guys, each with 100 lbs of gear plus food, rafts, dogs, and equipment and distributed us to the different rivers across the peninsula. I had to ride part of the time lying on top of the gear; ran out of seats. Flew right over the trees; four hour ride for me. Spectacular views out the windows of many volcanoes, including the largest on the Asian Continent. Unreal, like another planet. Here's a pic of a Leica Bear Dog. Mean as hell, you don't want to walk around by yourself or they'll pick you out (they don't like single "animals" walking around the camp) .