Scroll down to see more
Mikhail Mordasov
Fishing in soymas (authentic sailing boats) is exotic activity that is practiced at the Ilmen Lake in Novgorod Region.
Mikhail Mordasov
Soymas go out into the lake using a motor, and proceed that way to the fishing place.
Mikhail Mordasov
Soyma was one of the most common vessel types in ancient Novgorod.
Mikhail Mordasov
Fishing soymas should be in close proximity to each other at lowering the nets.
Mikhail Mordasov
Soymas are swift to move under sail, easy to row, of good tack and are able to hold against the wind.
(The boat is in the lake during a storm).
Mikhail Mordasov
The lightest boat of this type is up to 6 m long and was called "soyminka".
Mikhail Mordasov
They converge at a distance of spreading the net, raise the sails and interlock the nets. After that they move apart and go with the wind under full sail for several hours. Then they pool out the net with the catch.
Mikhail Mordasov
According to the brigadier Aleksey, the soyma fishing while going under sail is practiced in Russia at the Ilmen Lake only.
Mikhail Mordasov
Previously, it was considered normal to catch some 6-10 tons of fish. Now, 5-6 tons is the limit. This time, we have caught just a dozen of kilograms.
(A walleye pike that was caught in the net).
Mikhail Mordasov
The fishes' population has been greatly reduced because they were fished by means of electric current for several years.
Mikhail Mordasov
Fishing at the Ilmen Lake and the rivers flowing into it, you can catch the following fish species – pike, perch, walleye pike, catfish, bream, burbot, ide, roach, and ruff.
Mikhail Mordasov
Of course, the most interesting fishing tours in Novgorod Region are associated with the Ilmen Lake. More than 50 rivers flowing into the Ilmen Lake, numerous inland lakes communicating with the rivers by channels are natural spawning grounds for the underwater inhabitants of Ilmen.
(Before coming to the dock, the boats are fixed together, and so they go to the shore).
