Situated near Borgarfjörður in West Iceland, approximately 2 1/2 hours drive from Reykjavík, the Thverá is one of the country’s most sought-after salmon rivers, with rods normally secured well in advance and passed down from season to season. The Thverá forms the lower 26km of the famous Thverá /Kjarrá system, which has enjoyed a remarkable season, producing just shy of 2,800 salmon and finishing as the highest-producing natural river system in Iceland this year. Despite the scale and productivity of the system, the Thverá is limited to just seven rods, offering a wonderful sense of space as it flows through a stunning open valley of meadows and farmland. Space on the Thverá very rarely becomes available, particularly during the prime weeks of the Icelandic salmon season with many of its regulars having fished it for 20 years or more.
One of the features that makes the Thverá /Kjarrá system so unusual is that there are no waterfalls or significant natural barriers anywhere along its length. From the moment salmon enter the Thverá they have an uninterrupted passage upstream, allowing them to spread remarkably quickly throughout the entire system and reach the upper Kjarrá in a relatively short space of time. Unlike many Icelandic rivers, where waterfalls can hold fish in the lower reaches until water conditions allow them to move upstream, here the run can distribute itself across the whole river almost immediately. This means fresh fish are constantly pushing through the Thverá while salmon can be found throughout the Kjarrá remarkably early in the season, effectively turning the whole system into one long, uninterrupted salmon river.
There are more than 100 named pools on the Thverá and the character of the river changes considerably as you work downstream. The upper reaches begin with faster water and a shallow canyon before the river opens out into the broad meadows of the lower valley, eventually joining the glacial Hvítá. The water is beautifully clear and most pools are straightforward to access and wade, making this classic Icelandic salmon fishing. Floating lines, small flies and hitch tubes are particularly effective, and during settled summer conditions there are plenty of opportunities to see fish and watch them react to the fly. Later in July the lower river also receives a run of sea trout, providing an interesting addition to the salmon fishing.
The lodge is every bit the match of the fishing and has recently been extensively renovated. Set overlooking the river and surrounding valley, it combines a large sitting room and dining room with a spacious terrace from which to enjoy the views. Accommodation includes seven new suites alongside seven private en-suite rooms for only seven rods (meaning all rod shares get a single room), while outside there is a Jacuzzi and Finnish sauna – particularly welcome after a long day on the river. Food has always been an important part of the Thverá experience, with excellent chefs, attentive service and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere making this one of the complete salmon fishing experiences in Iceland.
As mentioned before space very rarely becomes available on the Thvera, but we can offer:
18 – 21 August: 7 rods – £6,700 per rod
Price is based on single room and shared guide including transfer from Reykjavik.
For more details on fishing in Iceland please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
