Iceland; Hitará and Laxa I Kjos, Iceland July 2027 with Peter McLeod
Peter McLeod will be returning to Iceland’s famous Hitará and Laxa I Kjos rivers in July 2027.
The Hítará is among the country’s best-known salmon rivers. Though average sized, it has a long fishing history, dating back to when British gentry started fishing in Iceland. Hítará is a typical Icelandic river with complex currents, clear pools, small flies and technical fishing over its 29km. The river accommodates six rods on the main salmon section and is ideal for private parties. The proximity of the pools to the lodge offers a unique atmosphere for a close knit group. A single handed rod or a really light double handed rod is ideal and anglers are rewarded with quite a number of fish over the seven pound mark.
The upper stretch is quite wild, and apart from a good number of salmon caught here towards the end of July there is excellent Arctic char and brown trout fishing throughout the season.
Laxa I Kjos is an intimate river that can turn even the most passionate of trout anglers into a devout salmon hunter. Its fast pockets, alluring canyons and sweeping meadows create a fishing paradise. Using a single handed 7# to flick out a size 16 hitched Haugur to a pod of silver fish on the Laxá I Kjos is something truly special. The water is so clear it is often possible to see the fish in the river, see their behaviour towards the fly, and often the moment the fish commits to taking it.
The fishing is more akin to trout fishing for salmon and is hitchers’ dream. Small rock pockets, canyons and open meadows are perfect for single handed fishing with tiny flies and it offers some very exciting sight fishing and hitch fishing opportunities for salmon. The river also has some huge sea trout in the meadows which can be caught on dry fly and nymphs and adds an additional dimension. The lodge is just 30 minutes from Reykjavik and caters for six anglers in the early and late part of the season, and between eight anglers through mid-July and August.
Fly Fishing the Laxa I Kjos River for salmon and sea trout
Fly fishing for salmon on the Hitará
Why Peter wants to visit thest two rivers:
Peter has been hosting trips to Iceland for 22 years. He’s visited many destinations and targeted the country’s main fly-caught species. Why then, do Laxa I Kjos and Hitará feature on a list of those places he’s always keen to re-visit?
Lets take each river separately, starting with Laxa I Kjos, where the reasons are many and varied, but here are the main ones:
The Laxa I Kjos and Budga offer classic clear water sight fishing for Atlantic salmon with light tackle. You are often close enough to spot, and cast, to your target fish. Best yet, these fish are usually aggressive and will freely take a skated hitch fly or micro tube from the surface just a matter of yards from your feet.
As with most things in life, timing is everything. Peter hand picks his hosted trip dates to coincide with both the great runs of salmon and the fresh big sea trout entering the system. It is the unique approach of targeting big sea trout in the meadow section that really pulls Peter back each season.
The lodge at Kjos also boasts one of the most experienced and forward thinking guide teams in Iceland. The mix of Icelandic and international guides have pushed the boundaries of modern Icelandic salmon and sea trout tactics and continue to do so.
I particularly like to fish Hítará as it offers the kind of experience I really enjoy: a huge amount of water shared between just six rods, giving the fishing a wonderfully intimate feel and plenty of opportunities to find fresh fish. I’m also attracted by the higher proportion of multi-sea-wintered salmon and the chance to fish a switch rod with small flies, which makes for engaging and varied fishing.
Add excellent guides, a comfortable lodge overlooking the Home Pool, outstanding front-of-house service and incredible food, and it is an extremely appealing operation. With only six rods, I think Hítará is ideal for an intact group, allowing us to enjoy the river, lodge and fishing together in a private and personal atmosphere.
Trip Itinerary – It is possible to fish just one river or combine both into the longer trip
Friday 23rd July: Arrive in Iceland and transfer to Hitará. Fish the afternoon session.
Saturday 24to to Sunday 25th July: Two full days fishing the Hitará
Monday 26th July: Transfer to Laxa I Kjos. Fish the afternoon session
Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th July: Two full days fishing the Laxa I Kjos for salmon and sea trout.
Thursday 29th July: Fish the morning session. Transfer to Reykjavik and overnight
Wednesday 30th July: Depart Iceland.
This is a great week for all trout and salmon anglers looking to experience Iceland salmon and sea trout fishing.
For more information and an itinerary please contact Peter McLeod or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.