77cm in length, 38cm in girth, estimated at 5kg - a fine fish by anyone's book, certainly mine!

All my effort the past 3years - most painfully, learning Russian - for the sole purpose of travelling in its far flung extremities and catch a wild Russian beauty, was rewarded. Oh God, - of Russian orthodox in this context - слава богу！

Day5. The last full day to fish. I woke up early and went to check out the home pool. Two hours' pre-breakfast exercise.

4 hours trip back, through the damp marshland which we were privileged to live to see once, and most probably never again.

A big trip it was. From planning to implementation it took a lot of time, research and paper work. Apart from the good arrangement of Arctic tours, I must thank Sayuri and Misa who came along without complaining (not ostensibly at least) and survived in the cold marshland which, to most Japanese ladies, not a most fashionable holiday venue.

Fair to say we have had the summer 2018 done.
Dream on, for an even more challenging next.

- Back

We flew back in a helicopter from Amderma the next day. Back in Naryan Mar we were blessed with a fine, summerly weather for a change.

I finished covering the usual stretch, with not an action as usual. 8am, breakfast time. As I was about to quit to head back to the camp, I felt a soft thud at the end the line.

Then a powerful looooong charge began! The line got pulled out then a good deal of backing before the fish finally stopped - just because she had reached the opposite bank!

It was hard to control myself as I knew this was not a fish I could lose without tears. I summoned up all my courage and dealt with it for the next 15minutes with utmost care. For once, I won.

For 5 long days I ferried little Misa countless times across. Good exercise which I would gladly give up as soon as I find a wader small enough.

It was a fun full week of camping. Not of the highest living standard but the time in the wild nature was exactly what I came here for.

The team - Andrey, Nastcha, Dima did everything great. Not just being competent hands but they were good company. Our trip was made possible only by them, not forgetting the logistics team who transported us in a soviet tank!

After breakfast we walked down the river to see the point #2, where the sandy bank meets the tidal water. Fishing is hot when fresh school arrives, Dima explains, but the river kept running low entire our stay, we did not see much action on this day.

I suggested to go check the point #1, to welcome the fresh runs right on the seashore, but Dima says that's out of question without a rifle, which he did not have with him the day.