Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is home to some of the best Atlantic salmon and game fishing in the world. In 2008 it had its best salmon fishing season for many years.
With crystal-clear, well-managed rivers and breathtaking scenery, it is no surprise that for generations, anglers have come to (and subsequently fallen in love with) Iceland. Fishing for salmon, sea trout, trout and Arctic char under the midnight sun is an experience no angler will ever forget.
The island landscape varies from barren lava fields and glacial plateaus to verdant farmland and provides a wealth of non-fishing activities for the family to enjoy whilst you fish.
Iceland is only a three hour flight from the UK and five hours from the East Coast of America with several airlines providing plenty of options.
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River Minnivallalaekur, home to some "big" brown trout. River Nordura, known as "the most beautiful river" in Iceland.
Atlantic Salmon Fishing in Iceland
With nearly 100 salmon fishing rivers in Iceland and most of those allowing between 4 and 20 rods to fish per day, there is a lot of fishing to be had in Iceland, but without the feeling of ever being cramped for space.
In common with many other parts of the world, Atlantic Salmon catches have been improving in Iceland in recent years and in 2008 approximately 82,000 were caught on rod and line.
Most of the fishing comes with accommodation included in the price and most of the accommodation is in "full service" or in self catering lodges, and these are both seriously equipped types of accommodation with kitchens, living rooms en-suite bathrooms, saunas etc.
The full service lodges normally include breakfast, lunch and dinner but anglers would be required to bring along their own after fishing beverages - though soft drinks, coffee and tea are included!! |
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Where to go fishing for Atlantic salmon in Iceland
The northern and eastern rivers are home to large multi-sea winter salmon and fish over twenty pounds are taken every year on most rivers. These salmon rivers are not for the faint hearted and require that anglers be competent and confident waders and be able to wield double handed Spey rods
The rivers of the west and south west benefit from the Gulf Stream currents and offer substantial runs of salmon, predominantly grilse. These rivers have very large runs of grilse during July and August, with many of the pools being full of bars of silver straight off the tide. |
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When to go fishing for Atlantic salmon in Iceland
Given Iceland's northerly location the salmon fishing season is a relatively short one.
The earliest rivers open on 1st June and the latest close in mid-October, it is also Icelandic law that no river can be open for salmon fishing for more than 3½ months. Hence the earliest opening Atlantic salmon rivers are closed by mid-September.
To get the best out of your visit it is imperative that where there are guides provided, their advice is taken as this will help all levels of anglers.
The guides know their waters intimately, the pools holding fish any given time or water height and which flies to use to eke out that salmon of a lifetime - priceless information.
Sea Trout Fishing in Iceland
Iceland's sea trout fishing is somewhat neglected and overlooked and the serious game angler does this at his peril as the sea trout fishing to be found in Iceland has no equal anywhere else in the world.
Until relatively recently, very few people have realised the great potential of the Icelandic rivers. As more people become aware of this great fishing, interest has gradually been increasing. Despite this, permits are still very reasonably priced. Self-catering accommodation in a fishing lodge is normally included in the price.
When to go fishing for sea trout in Iceland
Those, who have never landed a sea trout, should seriously consider this possibility for fishing in the late summer and early autumn. The sea trout season starts in April with September and October as the prime time.
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Vatnsa - 1000 sea trout & Arctic char were caught during the 2008 season
Where to go fishing for sea trout in Iceland |
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Sea trout occur in rivers all around Iceland, but are most common in the south east and west. The biggest fish are to be found in the south east, often up to 10 pounds and occasionally sea trout up to 20 pounds.
Among the best sea trout rivers one can mention are Tungulækur, Geirlandsá, Grenlækur, Tungufljót and Vatnamót. These rivers are primarily sea trout fishing rivers supporting small stocks of salmon and char.
Whilst Icelandic summers are generally warm by day, weather conditions can change quite rapidly. Therefore it is prudent to prepare for inclement weather and take warm clothing, rainwear and a wind proof jacket. And most importantly, please remember to disinfect your tackle before or upon your arrival into Iceland.
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Brown Trout Fishing in Iceland
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Iceland is known the world over for the quality of its salmon fishing; however, it is less well known that there are also outstanding angling opportunities for brown trout fly fishing. Some waters are the perfect habitat for some very large wild trout indeed.
Trout fishing permits are very reasonably priced and a day's trouting offers a pleasant alternative to salmon fishing. In many cases, self-catering accommodation is included in the price.
Trout fishing trips in Iceland might include:
• Dry fly fishing for brown trout
• Exclusive highland lake fishing
• Night fishing for trophy brown trout
• Inland rivers and lake fishing
• Private guide with 4x4 vehicle
• Winter and ice fishing
Where to fish for brown trout
The majority of the myriad of lakes in Iceland offer good trout fishing. The same can be said for the majority of the smaller and colder rivers.
Anglers can expect to catch brown trout to 6lb almost everywhere and most seasons 15 pound fish get hooked - though not always landed!
Trout fishing methods
The traditional Icelandic method of fly fishing is with large traditional streamers such as Black ghost, Muddler minnow etc. In the early part of the season these flies are fished down and across stream and as the season progresses tactics change and anglers move to fishing with small weighted nymphs fished upstream, with the use of a strike indicator when fishing deep. Whilst Iceland has no tradition with dry fly fishing many fish, are taken on dry fly or on small gold head nymphs.
Icelandic brown trout fishing can be very challenging as these big trout are easily spooked. Most waters are gin-clear with high banks and very little cover for the angler. Occasionally one can see anglers on all fours, crawling to the bank and spotting fish, rather like fishing for big trout in New Zealand.
The most common fly rods are 6 - 8 feet long matched with 6 - 8 weight forward floating fly lines. Slow sinking or sink-tip is frequently used in high water conditions. The most commonly used flies are all kinds of Streamers and Nobblers as previously mentioned and small traditional wet flies such as Peter Ross, Black Zulu and Alder. Effective dry flies are Zulu, Adams, Black Gnat and Royal Wulff.
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Arctic Char Fishing in Iceland
Arctic char are the most common freshwater fish in Iceland. They are found in rivers and lakes all over the island. The average weight of the char ranges from a half to two pounds, but fish up to four pounds are not rare. The largest recorded char caught in Iceland was 22lbs, taken in Skorradalsvatn.
Sea-run char are also widely distributed in Iceland but predominately in the north. It is the dominant fish species in some cold rivers like Eyjafjardará and Hörgá and very prolific in the slower flowing sections of rivers like Vatnsdalsá and Vídidalsá. There are good populations of sea-running char in the eastern fjords and also on the west coast too. |
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Arctic char angling trips in Iceland might include:
• Nymphing for Arctic char
• Inland lake and/or river fishing
• Exclusive highland lake fishing
• Winter and ice fishing for Arctic char
• Private guide with 4x4 vehicle
• Pick up & drop off, fishing permits, fishing equipment, lunch and light refreshments are usually included
When to fish for Arctic Char
The sea char season starts in May with late July and August as the prime time.
The sea char runs start to increase steadily from the beginning of July in Iceland. Ever bigger schools head upstream from the beginning of July until the end of August. By September the rivers are teeming with them. The size of the sea char is different to the non-sea char. Two pound fish are very common and 3-6 pound fish are frequently caught and sometimes even bigger fish feature in the catches.
Fishing methods
A common method of angling for sea char is to use a simple pattern such as a pink Gammarus type shrimp, tied on small hooks. A short cast is made towards land from a standing position in the middle of the river and fished Czech nymph style on a short line dead drift.
These larger sea char are powerful fish, and it is usual to find that within a few seconds of the take, your reel will screaming and you will soon be well into your backing. It pays to check all knots prior to and during a session fishing for sea char!
Whilst Icelandic summers are generally warm by day, weather conditions can change quite rapidly. Therefore it is prudent to prepare for inclement weather and take warm clothing, rainwear and a wind proof jacket. And most importantly, please remember to disinfect your tackle before or upon your arrival into Iceland.
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Wild brown trout and Arctic char fishing
Region: North
River: Laxa in Adaldalur – Dry Fly Heaven
Location: 60km east of Akureyri
Beats: Hraun and other beats
Rods: 5
Fish: Wild brown trout
Dates: May 20 to August 31
Prime time: mid-June to mid-July
Lodge: Accommodation in country-inn or self catering lodge
Prices:
May: €100 per rod per day with accommodation
June 1-14: €120 per rod per day with accommodation
June 15-July 31: €150 per rod per day with accommodation
August: €120 per rod per day with accommodation
Click here for more Information
Region: South
Location: 100km east of Reykjavik
River: Bruara (Sel beat)
Rods: 4
Fish: Arctic char and brown trout
Dates: May 20 to August 31
Prime time: July and August
Lodge: Accommodation in two self catering lodges (sleeps 4 & 3)
Prices from €75-90 per rod per day with accommodation
Prices from €160-190 per rod per day with accommodation and three meals a day
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Region: South
Lake: Heidarvatn
Rods: 4
Fish: Wild brown trout, Arctic char and sea trout
Dates: June 1 to Sep 30
Prime time: June-July, but August-Sept for sea trout
Lodge included during June-July (sleeps 6)
Lodge not included in August & September
Price June-July: €120 per rod per day with selfcatering accommodation
Price Aug-Sept: €90 per rod per day (no accommodation included)
Click here for more information
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For more information and current price contact anglingclassics@aol.com
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