Iceland; Laxa I Kjos and Hitará July 2027 with Olly Thompson
Olly Thompson will be returning to Iceland’s famous Laxa I Kjos and Hitará rivers in July/August 2027.
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 Red Frances 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.
On this trip we are based at one lodge offering fishing on the whole Laxa I Kjos system including its main tributary, the Bugda.
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 which adds to the excitement. The lodge is just 30 minutes from Reykjavik and caters for 8 anglers in the early and late part of the season, and between 8 and 10 anglers through mid-July and August.
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.
Fly fishing for salmon on the Hitará
Fly Fishing the Laxa I Kjos River for salmon and sea trout
Why olly wants to visit thest two rivers:
Having previously worked as a guide in Iceland, Olly has now been hosting trips there for five years.
Laxá í Kjós and Hítará are two wonderful but very different rivers, each with its own character and style of fishing. Together, they make for an exceptionally interesting and varied combination.
Starting with Laxá í Kjós, there are many reasons why this river stands out, but for me here are the main ones:
The Laxá í Kjós and its tributary, the Bugða, offer clear-water sight fishing for Atlantic salmon on light tackle. It is easier to think of this as trout fishing for salmon rather than traditional salmon fishing. The approach is all about light tackle and clear water, with success often coming down to the finer details: positioning yourself correctly, casting at the right angle, choosing the right fly and, when necessary, mending at precisely the right moment.
This is not a game of chucking and chancing. It is a style of fishing that rewards careful, thoughtful and observant anglers. That is one of the things Olly finds particularly rewarding about the fishing here, as luck plays relatively little part. You are often close enough to see your target fish, judge its behaviour and make a precise cast to it. Best of all, these fish are typically aggressive and will readily take a skated hitch fly or micro tube from the surface, sometimes only a few yards from your feet.
The lodge at Kjós also boasts one of the most experienced and forward-thinking guide teams in Iceland. The combination of Icelandic and international guides has helped push the boundaries of modern Icelandic salmon and sea-trout tactics, and they continue to develop and refine their approach each season.
Hítará offers a very different experience. The fishing is less technical, but one of the great joys of the river is the amount of water shared between just six rods. This gives the fishing an intimate feel, while also providing plenty of opportunities to find fresh fish of all sizes, including multi-sea-winter salmon.
There is an enormous variety of water at Hítará, and that for me is a big part of the appeal. From rocky, boulder-strewn runs to long, slower-flowing glides, the river constantly changes character. For much of its length, it feels as though you are exploring new and uncharted water.
Add to this an excellent guide team and a comfortable lodge overlooking the Home Pool, and Hítará becomes a very special place to fish. Of all the lodges I have visited, the position of the Hítará lodge must rank among the very best. Sitting down with a refreshing lunchtime pint while watching salmon flash below you in one of the river’s finest holding lies is a pretty hard experience to beat.
The outstanding front-of-house service and exceptional food also deserve a mention. With just six rods, I think Hítará is particularly well suited to an intact group. It allows us to enjoy the river, the lodge and the fishing together, creating a genuinely private and personal atmosphere that is increasingly difficult to find.
Trip Itinerary – It is possible to fish just one river or combine both into the longer trip
Wednesday 28th July: Arrive in Iceland and transfer to hotel
Thursday 29th July: Transfer to Laxa I Kjos, fish afternoon session
Friday 30th and Saturday 31st July: Two full days fishing Laxa I Kjos for salmon and sea trout.
Sunday 1st August: Transfer to Hitará. Fish the afternoon session
Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd August: Two full days fishing the Hitará.
Wednesday 4th August: Fish the morning session. Transfer to Reykjavik and overnight
Thursday 5th August: Transfer to Keflavik. 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 Olly Thompson or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.