The Tuloma River is one of the major rivers of the Kola Peninsula and the Murmansk Region. It flows into the Barents Sea. Has a mixed diet. At the end of December it freezes. The movement of ice occurs from April to early June. Partly the upper reaches of the river belong to the territory of Finland. There are two hydroelectric power stations on the river that form reservoirs. Tuloma is a favorite place for fishermen.
The economic role of the river
In ancient times, an important trade route connecting Finland and the Arctic Ocean passed through Tuloma. For these purposes, a bridge over the Tuloma River was used. Now its main function is to serve as a resting place for residents of the Murmansk region and a source of clean electricity. People are attracted by picturesque natural landscapes with rocky shores and forests, clear waters and a large number of fish. Despite the severity associated with latitude, the river is still quite comfortable.
Channel Features
The Tuloma River flows in the west of the Murmansk Region and flows into the Kola Bay of the Barents Sea. The river is only 64 kilometers long. In its basin, a huge number (over 5 thousand) of lakes. On the river there are 2 reservoirs built back in the 30s of the 20th century.
Two large hydroelectric power stations were built on Tuloma: Verkhnetulomskaya and Nizhnetulomskaya. They form reservoirs with the same names. The Nizhnetulomskoe reservoir is very elongated and occupies a significant part of the length of the river. The water in it is running and is quickly updated due to the significant flow. The regulated flow allows it to be used in accordance with the needs of the hydroelectric power station.
The river has rapids and waterfalls.
There are tourist camps along the shores. The most popular holiday destination is fishing. They catch fish even in the harsh northern winter. In the waters of the river, you can catch pink salmon, smelt, brown trout, whitefish, burbot, pike. And at the bottom there is a chance to even find river pearls.
At recreation centers you can rent a boat or become a member of a river excursion.
Weather on the river
Climatic conditions are generally harsh, but milder than in Siberia and the Far East. This is due to the relative proximity of the Atlantic and warm currents. Summer is short and cool. Winter is long and moderately cold. Continentality is relatively weak. Winter lasts from November to April. January and February are the coldest months of the year.
The greatest cold snap occurs during Arctic invasions, and warming is most often associated with the penetration of soft Atlantic cyclones into the region.
River geography
The river flows through hilly, and in some places - rocky terrain. The nature of the Tuloma River is diverse, but more often it is clearly visible. Tundra, peat-bog and podzolic soils are characteristic. Along the banks grow birch, pine, shrubs. They form forests and woodlands. Marshes are mainly of a moss type. There is little green in the waters of the river. A significant part of the channel is the Nizhnetulomskoe reservoir.
At the bottom of the river springs are found in abundance. Therefore, the water is cold even in summer. But in winter it is warmer, which does not allow it to freeze much. The bottom is mostly rocky, rarely muddy. Large stones and driftwood may come across. There are springs with clear water along the river.
Fishing on the Tuloma River
For classic and quiet fishing, you should choose the warm season, which begins here only in the second half of May. You should look for places with a minimum flow rate. For fishing on this river, fishermen are advised to take odorous lures, such as anise or oilcake.
In Tuloma, very large specimens of aggressive fish species are found that can tear fishing tackle. To reduce the risk of such events, it is recommended to fish closer to shore. The maximum distance for fishing in Tuloma is 5 meters from the coast. The maximum chances of a good catch will be if you choose a sunny, quiet day. In 3-4 hours, you can catch up to 5 kg of chub and / or roach.
Conclusion
The Tuloma River is one of the picturesque rivers of Russia. It attracts, first of all, fishing lovers. Fishermen can enjoy the clean taiga air and watch the clear waters. The species composition of fish is very diverse, and the size of some specimens is simply huge. The fish are found in this wild river and are quite aggressive, living primarily at a sufficient depth. Therefore, fishing should only be on the coast, not further than 5 meters from it. Also on Tuloma there are 2 hydroelectric power stations, which significantly changed the nature and speed of its flow.