Laxa I Kjos, Iceland July 2023
Peter McLeod and Olly Thompson will be returning to Iceland’s famous Laxa I Kjos river, hosting late July/early August 2023. This intimate river 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.
This package based from 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.
Why Peter wants to visit this destination:
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, does Laxa I Kjos always feature on a list of those places he’s always keen to re-visit?
The reasons are many and varied, but here are the main ones:
Having grown up guiding in Norway a salmon fly to him was not a real salmon fly unless it was 3 inches long, was made from arctic fox and thrown off a 15’ two hander with a shooting head system. Laxa I Kjos changed all that in the early 2000’s, and over the last eight years he has barely lifted a two hander to fish for salmon. He became obsessed with the hitch. 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.
Trip Itinerary: Peter McLeod
Wednesday 26th July: Arrive in Iceland and transfer to the Laxa I Kjos Lodge. Fish the afternoon session.
Thursday 27th July to Friday 28th July: Two full days fishing the Laxa I Kjos for salmon and sea trout.
Saturday 29th July: Fish the morning session. Transfer to Reykjavik and overnight
Sunday 30th July: Depart Iceland.
Trip Itinerary: Olly Thompson
Sunday 29th July: Arrive in Iceland and transfer to the Laxa I Kjos Lodge. Fish the afternoon session.
Monday 30th July and Tuesday 31st July: Two full days fishing the Laxa I Kjos for salmon and sea trout.
Wednesday 1st August: Fish the morning session. Transfer to Reykjavik and overnight
Thursday 2nd August: Depart Iceland.
This is a great three day slot at the end of July for salmon, but also for the big sea trout which are running in the meadows at this time.
For more information and an itinerary please contact Peter McLeod or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.