Getting there

Kamchatka is possibly the most remote fishing area on Earth. Not only will you see no other humans except for your fishing companions, but you won’t see or hear any sign of humans either.

Getting to the Kamchatka Peninsula is normally accomplished by hopping a commercial direct flight to Moscow from any of several US or European points of departure, including Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Washington DC or New York. From Moscow you will connect directly to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka (PK). No overnights are required on your in-bound itinerary.

On arrival to PK it takes one to two hours to clear customs, collect baggage and transfer to the nearby heliport for departure to the river. The lift-off moment is significant; the first real feeling that you’re not in a familiar place, as the edge of PK disappears below and endless, pristine forests and mountains zoom by underneath.

After traveling around the world, capped by one and a half sensational helicopters-hours in the air, finally your river comes into view and the chopper descends for a landing. It’s all you can do to contain the excitement long enough to get on waders, string up your rod, and tie on a mouse.

At the end of the week your steps are reversed. A helicopter pickup in the afternoon at camp puts you back in PK by evening. One night is spent in PK before continuing to Moscow the following day. An overnight in Moscow is necessary to make safe international connections the following day and is easily accommodated at a convenient airport hotel.

SAMPLY ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Wednesday. Evening flight to Moscow. (approx. 10 hours en route)
Day 2 – Thursday. Afternoon arrival to Moscow, 6pm flight to Kamchatka (approx. 9 hours en route)
Day 3 – Friday. Arrive Kamchatka 12:35pm, connect by helicopter to river. Possible fishing depending on remaining daylight.
Day 4 – Saturday. Full fishing day.
Day 5 – Sunday. Full fishing day.
Day 6 – Monday. Full fishing day.
Day 7 – Tuesday. Full fishing day.
Day 8 – Wednesday. Full fishing day.
Day 9 – Thursday. Full fishing day.
Day 10 – Friday. Morning fishing and afternoon return to Petropavlovsk. Overnight.
Day 11 – Saturday. Afternoon departure for Moscow, arriving same day. Overnight.
Day 12 – Sunday. Late morning departure for USA or Europe, arriving same day. Continue home.

For those who have the time, a 1-3 day tour of Moscow is a wonderful complement to your remote fishing trip. This gives opportunities for soaking in modern Russian culture, and for acclimatizing and catching your breath between long flights.

Other possible routes to Kamchatka include transferring in Seoul, South Korea or Tokyo, Japan. There are also myriad options to connect to Moscow from major European cities.