Iceland - The Essence of Iceland
Salmon and sea trout fishing hold a particular spell for the majority of fishermen in Britain. It is this form of fishing that many of us were raised upon, its long heritage steeped in tradition.
Iceland is very much a part of this heritage as numerous fishermen from the UK flocked to its shores from the turn of last century. The prolific rivers and lack of pressure become an annual pilgrimage, one which greatly influenced the Icelandic population and in some ways was responsible for their adoption of salmon fishing as a national pastime. What is fascinating is to see how traditional techniques introduced have then evolved overtime into something quite unique. I would go so far as to draw a comparison between Icelandic fishermen and Florida Keys’ guides in saltwater. The Keys’ guides are very much at the cutting edge of the saltwater arena in terms of tackle and technique development as their fish are highly educated and spooky. The fishermen in Iceland are very much their freshwater equivalent. Unlike rivers in Scotland, Russia or Norway, Icelandic rivers have a tendency to run crystal clear. The fish can see you as well as you can see them. This has to be adapted to.
During the time I guided in Norway some time ago I really had the opportunity to learn the cutting edge of salmon fishing techniques of the time. Compounding on what I had learnt in Scotland, in addition to input from my Scandinavian counterparts, I had great faith in big mobile flies tied with lots of arctic fox. The big water and heavy currents often associated with the Norwegian rivers dictated that this style of fishing was necessary to present a fly at the correct depth and speed to encourage a salmon to take. Although the use of shooting heads, short leaders, and large temple dog flies were the methods we employed, they were not very far removed in terms of fishing characteristics from my early years fishing across Scotland.
These principals also served me well in Russia where the sheer size of the rivers required heavy gear. Much of this was merely differentiation on a theme though. It was only when I first fished in Iceland that I realised that there was in fact far more to it. Here I learned to fish light, and it was also where I learnt that salmon will take very small flies. It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that salmon could not only see these flies but it was far more effective; and seriously good fun!
You can very easily fish standard techniques of two handed rods, sink tip lines and medium sized doubles in Iceland and have great success, especially on such rivers as the East and West Ranga that are perfect for this style of fishing. However, for me that is not what the essence of fishing in Iceland is. Icelandic fishing is about hunting. Not dissimilar to targeting fish on a bonefish flat, it is possible to target salmon and sea trout on single handed rods in crystal clear water, and most rivers in Iceland lend themselves well to this. Seasoned Icelandic fishermen fish with floating lines, reasonably long leaders and size 10 – 16 flies. Often salmon can be seen clearly in their lies, and with the help of a good guide you can swing a fly over their lie and actually watch the take as the fish raises in the current and sips down your hitched sunray like a trout rising to a dry fly. As the water is very clear stealth is required. You will often peer over the lip of a bluff to spot the fish in their lies, before retreating to a suitable position from which to present the fly. The reaction of the fish to the drifting fly is often witnessed, and gives an otherwise unknown insight into the world of a salmon that I find fascinating.
Fishing the “Hitch” is also very much part of this experience. This extremely successful technique developed many years ago can produce takes which will often have your heart in your mouth. A half hitch is put in the leader just above the fly and tightened over the head, whether it be a tube, single or small treble. This means the fly then travels on the surface of the water. The secret is in the speed the fly comes across the glide. The fisherman is trying to achieve that perfect silky v-wake behind the fly. If it sinks it is travelling too slowly and is adjusted by a gentle raising of the rod. If it produces white water it is travelling to fast. This gliding V has an intoxicating effect that many salmon find hard to resist. You will also find that even though you might not hook fish at the same rate as traditional methods it does not disturb the pool allowing the fish to be marked and then often picked up with a sub-surface fly on the next drift.
For those who have not tried it I would highly encourage trying Icelandic fishing. I know many who having fished extensively globally find it the most rewarding they have done. As Iceland is only three hours away, and most of the lodges and rivers are run very much to a traditional British format, the myriad of rivers available can easily be tailor made to suit your needs.
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Location:
Nordura
Freshwater:
River and stream fishing
Country:
Iceland
Capacity:
12 per week
Season:
Early June to Early September
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