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In the European part of Russia, and indeed the entire continent, feeder fishing is gaining popularity every year, claiming the title of the most popular fishing method. But that's in Europe, where all the gear can be transported by car to almost any body of water, allowing you to comfortably settle down on the shore in a comfortable chair or platform. In the Siberian taiga and mountains, however, there are no roads, and the nearest store where you can buy even salt and grains, let alone bait and lures, is often hundreds of kilometers away. When rafting on Siberian rivers, the most important characteristics of fishing gear are light weight, compactness, and mobility. And by these criteria, fly fishing and spinning rods are unrivaled.
What gear to choose for fishing on the Putorana Plateau.
When it comes to a fishing trip, getting by with just one rod is unlikely. The rivers of the Putorana Plateau are changeable, and their inhabitants are not only numerous but also diverse, requiring different gear for different conditions. The ideal set of spinning rods would consist of three: Medium-heavy (MH) or Heavy (H) for pike and taimen, Ultra-Light (UL) for whitefish and grayling, and Medium-Light (ML) or Medium (M) for other species ( brown trout, lenok, Arctic char, etc.). For a trip along the rivers of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, you can take two fly rods: a class 7-8 for larger fish such as brown trout or lenok, and a class 3-5 for grayling and whitefish.
Fly fishing on the Putorana Plateau.
Fly fishing in the northern Krasnoyarsk region is most successful in July, during the mass insect flight period. At this time, many fish species switch almost entirely to insect feeding, and artificial flies become, if not the only, then the primary lure for anglers. The most effective flies are those imitating the most abundant insects at the moment. However, there are always bestsellers, such as the gadfly imitation. However, a real gadfly, or paut, as it's known locally, is every bit as effective as its replica.
In midsummer, a fly fisherman can catch virtually any fish in these waters. However, the ubiquitous grayling still makes up the lion's share of the catch. Attacks on the fly can follow one after another, with every cast, and in such situations, it's important to remember the "catch and release" principle, releasing only the fish needed for food.
Spinning fishing on the Putorana Plateau.
Even a novice angler picking up a spinning rod for the first time never returns from a rafting trip along the Putorana Plateau rivers without a catch. Experienced anglers, however, set specific goals for the trip and begin working toward them as early as the route selection stage. Some anglers strive to expand their catch list, others dream of a bite with every cast, still others crave large trophies, and almost all hope to catch a trophy taimen.
Tackle for catching taimen.
Even small taimen, weighing three to five kilograms, can give anglers a real fight and provide a storm of excitement. But when it comes to specimens weighing over a pood, the chances of success without a special approach to tackle and bait are negligible.
A good, powerful rod is equipped with a high-quality, expensive reel of the appropriate size, and brand-name line with a breaking strain of 70-100lbs. However, after a big taimen bites, the euphoria of a catch is not followed by the disappointment of losing the trophy. A common mistake most anglers make when hunting taimen is using standard lures. The result: broken swivels, torn split rings, and bent hooks. All hardware on lures designed for this fish must withstand a load of 40-60 kilograms, and if it doesn't, it must be replaced before the fishing begins. Then, instead of telling tales of the "monster" on the hook, you can show skeptics a photo of the trophy fish and the happy angler.
Ultra-light spinning rod for Siberian rivers.
While there's no such thing as too much strength when fishing for taimen, the opposite is true when fishing for whitefish: the thinner and more elegant, the better. The same can be said for grayling, although this fish rarely pays attention to the coarseness of its tackle; catching it with ultra-light tackle brings incomparable pleasure.
Lures for fishing on the Putorana Plateau.
In Siberian rivers, the most effective spinning lures are spoons, both spinners and oscillating lures. The size and weight of the spoon are selected based on the fishing conditions and the fish it's intended for. When fishing for whitefish, spinners in sizes from two zeros to one and spoons weighing 3-5 grams are most popular. Meanwhile, for taimen, spinners in sizes five to six and spoons weighing at least twenty grams are recommended. Regardless of size, copper and brass-colored lures are preferred; brightly colored ("acid") lures work well, as do black ones (especially when fishing for whitefish). However, shiny silver lures are best left at home, as they're useless ballast. In the crystal-clear waters of northern reservoirs, their shine is more likely to alert than attract fish.
When rafting on the rivers of the Putorana Plateau, a box of wobblers is also a useful tool. And it's impossible not to mention surface lures, commonly known as "mouses." Bites on "mouses" are extremely spectacular, and the fishing is thrilling. The best times for this type of fishing are windless nights, as well as evenings and mornings. Having seen fish emerge and bite on "mouses" at least once, most anglers, while camping, prefer fishing with this lure to resting. It's a northern fishing experience that will long remain in the memory, and upon returning home, will be replayed again and again in happy and pleasant dreams.
