If you are planning to visit Russia during winter months, make sure you are well prepared for the bitter cold. However, as an ice fishing enthusiasts, not even the cold will keep you away. Many Russians love to get out and go to a nearby lake to indulge in ice fishing.
Ice fishing in Russia is a popular past time for many Russians and they have devised a way to stay warm while sitting on the ice for hours. The trick to stay warm during your attempt at ice fishing in Russia is to drink vodka. There is a saying in Russia when it comes to drinking vodka and it roughly translates to warm on the inside and cold on the outside. Though you may scorn at the time, but it genuinely works in keeping you warm.
Once you find a suitable lake to indulge in some hobby ice fishing, find an area on the lake where the ice is less thick. Then you can start sawing, pounding or hacking a hole in the ice. Once your hole is opened, you just need to bring your stool, bait and fishing line.
The prospect of catching fish during ice fishing depends on a number of factors. The first factor is the type of fish you catch is completely dependent on the lake you go to. The second factor and the most important is how long can you stand the cold. At 30 degrees below zero even drinking gallons of vodka will not keep you warm for ever. How long you can stand the cold and how long you can keep yourself warm ensures the success you have in ice fishing. If you have never done ice fishing, Russia might be a good place to experience it. But make sure you carry enough aspirins because you are going to need it after drinking the vodka to stay warm on the cold ice.
Throughout Russia there is risk of terrorism linked to Chechnya and other extremists from the Northern Caucasuses. These threats include bombings, hostage taking and suicide attacks in public places. Moscow is often a primary target. Recently a passenger train from Chechnya to Moscow was derailed by an explosion, a bomb was left on the metro in Moscow, another blew up at a Moscow bus stop and two Russian airliners on internal flights were destroyed by suicide bombers. In the past Moscow has seen other terrorist acts on metro trains, in a hotel, market and a theatre.
St Petersburg and Moscow have pick pockets and muggers especially in and near railway stations. These may involve children and women. Theft from hotel rooms and cars is a problem. Beware of strangers in bars and night clubs who may spike your drinks in order to rob you. Several tourists have been held up at knife point in St Petersburg and robbed on public transport. Bogus police officers operate in both cities. Racist attacks may also occur by skinheads on Asians and Afro Caribbeans. Moscow is the Capital of the largest geographical country in the world which has a population of over 145 million living in eleven time zones. 82 percent of the population are Russian with the other 18 percent being made up of more than one hundred nationalities. The official currency is the rouble, but American dollars are widely accepted.
Climate is moderate. The average temperature in July and August is 20 in December and January 10. The humidity is moderate. The Moscows winters are, as a rule, cold and snowy. Moscow is conveniently sited in the centre of Russias European part where the rivers Moskva and Yauza cross the Central Russian Plateau. Moscow is one of the biggest cities in the world. It occupies the area of 1035 square kilometres. Moscow has more than 5000 streets. The population is about 9 million people, plus more than three million tourists and guests coming annually.
Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and tremendous vitality. It is as if the cultural traditions of a century ago have re awakened with a newfound strength ancient cathedrals are being rebuilt and restored, colourful markets hum with activity once again and literature and the arts are quickly regaining the creative renown they enjoyed decades ago. A new Russia is now in full bloom.
