The open winter fishing festival "Balyk. Nurlat 2026" was held in Nurlat.

      The traditional winter fishing festival, which began six years ago at the Tarn-Var reservoir under the name "Balyk-fest," was held with the participation of 107 anglers, including six women and eight children.

      Before the start they were greeted by the head of the Nurlat district, Damir Ishkineev. He congratulated the participants and fans on the New Year and voiced his good wishes.

      "We are glad that today there are more participants than last year and the year before. I wish you all a good catch, a good mood, and, of course, that friendship wins," he said.

      The festival's chief judge, Oleg Garipov, announced the main rules to be observed.

      While the anglers were drilling holes and getting down to fishing, those on the shore could take part in events prepared by cultural workers; the organizers were cooking ukha (fish soup) and pilaf over a fire, and the rural settlements set up tea tables. In short, the festival became a true family celebration.

      The anglers competed in various categories. Sponsors prepared prizes for them, which were presented after all stages of the competition.

      At the beginning of the awards ceremony Damir Ishkineev expressed his gratitude to the festival's organizers and sponsors — Ildar and Guzel Khasanzhanov, entrepreneurs Davlatjon Khuvaydullaev and Natalia Khurina — and presented them with letters of appreciation. Zinnur Mutagirov, head of the "Combat Brotherhood," which supported the festival, presented letters of appreciation to active volunteers. The anglers' awards began with the category "Oldest Angler," won by Valeriy Kulmetyev, who is 75 years old, and the youngest — Yan Erofeev, who is three years old.

      In the "Woman Angler" category Anastasia Maksimova won with a catch of 260 g. The "Smallest Fish Caught" belonged to Eduard Abrosimov; the "Largest Fish Caught" went to Aleksandr Maksimov.

      In the "First Fish Caught" category Rivkat Abdrakhmanov won. In "Largest Catch" — 1st place Aleksandr Maksimov (1.170 kg), 2nd — Maksim Emelyanov (1.105 kg), 3rd — Ravgat Galimov (1.080 kg).

      In the "Predator" category 1st place went to Aleksandr Maksimov, 2nd to Ravgat Galimov, 3rd to Valeriy Kulmetyev. In the "Bely" category 1st place was taken by Maksim Emelyanov, 2nd by Andrey Sotnikov, 3rd by Arkady Itrin. Winners and prize-winners received diplomas, medals, as well as substantial prizes and certificates from Ildar and Guzel Khasanzhanov, and the overall winner — Aleksandr Maksimov — was also awarded a motosobaka (motorized sled), the festival's grand prize.

      There was also a contest in the "Fastest Hole Drilling" category. The sponsor of this event was the Khurinykh farming enterprise (KFH Khurinykh). The most dexterous was Albert Yakupov, who won a bull, which he decided to give to volunteers to prepare food for the fighters of the special military operation (SVO); he was supported by Rasim Bakirov, who took 3rd place and received a certificate for 100 liters of milk; 2nd place went to Denis Azyapov.

      The festival ended with a group photo as a memento.

      Siren Samerkhanova

      More news about the event:

      An open winter fishing festival "Balyk. Nurlat 2026" was held in Nurlat

      The traditional winter fishing festival, which began six years ago at the Tarn-Var reservoir under the name "Balyk-fest," was held with the participation of 107 anglers, including six women and eight children. 17:12 05.01.2026 Nurlat District - Nurlat

      An open winter fishing festival "Balyk. Nurlat 2026" was held in Nurlat

      The traditional winter fishing festival, which began six years ago at the Tarn-Var reservoir under the name "Balyk-fest," was held with the participation of 107 anglers, including six women and eight children. 16:21 05.01.2026 Nurlat-Inform - Nurlat