With a little over six months until the Icelandic salmon season gets under way, we have begun counting down the days until the first silver tourists begin reaching the northern shores once more. Prime space is in high demand once again but we have compiled a list of some of the best rivers and dates still available for the 2017 season below.
Langá
A river that can be fished with relative ease with good access to the pools and is fished well with single handed rods. It is much less susceptible to poor rainfall, unlike some of the other Icelandic salmon rivers, as it is lake fed. It has been extremely consistent even during very poor years and is the nearest you will get to a “Safe Bet”. The runs are predominantly grilse and larger fish are seen occasionally through the season. The lodge is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Reykjavik and caters for 12 anglers.
3 – 6 July: £4,910 per rod
9 – 12 July: £6,070 per rod – prime grilse runs
17 – 20 July: £6,410 per rod – prime grilse runs
26 – 29 July: £6,650 per rod – prime grilse runs
29 July – 1 August: £6,190 per rod – prime grilse runs
1 – 4 August: £5,670 per rod – last of the prime grilse runs
7 – 10 August: £4,990 per rod
Laxa I Kjos
The river has one of the prettiest and most comfortable lodges in Iceland and sits overlooking the lower section of the river. The river itself is intimate and the fishing is more akin to trout fishing for salmon, a true hitchers’ dream. Small rock pockets, canyons and open meadows are perfect for single handed fishing with tiny flies. The river also has some huge sea trout which run throughout August and add to the excitement, a small tributary called Bugda boasts good numbers of brown trout. Laxá I Kjos offers some very exciting sight fishing and hitch fishing opportunities for salmon.
19 – 24 June: £6,296 per rod – 5 days for the OPENING of the river
2 – 5 July: £4,550 per rod – multi-sea winter salmon and first of the grilse runs – SOLD
26 – 29 July: £5,690 per rod – prime grilse runs and start of the big sea trout
29 July – 2 August (4 days): £7,030 per rod – prime grilse runs and start of the big sea trout
14 – 17 August: £3,630 per rod – prime sea trout and good salmon
17 – 20 August: £3,630 per rod – prime sea trout and good salmon
Grímsá
The lodge at Grímsá is very comfortable, it overlooks one of the best pools on the river where you will often see fresh fish jumping. The fishing itself is limited to just eight. The fish here also tend to be slightly bigger and the river is certainly larger than the other rivers on the West Coast, although it is still best fished with a single handed rod it is certainly worth carrying a double hander for the larger pools. The Grímsá is definitely an option if you are looking for a more exclusive river with slightly larger fish.
2 – 4 August (2 days): £3,740 per rod – prime grilse runs
Hofsá
One of the two major Vopnafjordur rivers, the other being the famous Selá. The river has a long canyon on the top beats, a dramatic impassable falls and a string of challenging pools as the river thunders down the canyon. But once the canyon ends, the river turns into an almost endless string of long slow flowing pools, each one seeming more enticing and inviting than the last one. Hofsá is one of the best multi sea-winter fish rivers in Iceland and the average weight is excellent with good numbers over 20 lbs.
18 – 21 July: £8,120 per rod – prime salmon run
30 July – 2 August: £8,120 per rod – prime salmon run
Mýrarkvísl
A very interesting river offering traditional pool and riffle water in the upper section, a canyon through the middle and meandering slow flows at the bottom. You can target good numbers of trout averaging 2 lbs with a few between 4-6 lbs. Dry flies and traditional nymphs work well and as the season progresses the chances of encountering salmon increase. Along with the river you also have access to a lake that has a good head of Arctic char (delicious eating if you want to take one or two for dinner). The river is limited to just four anglers, and a new lodge is being built for the 2017 season to offer very comfortable accommodation with full service possible.
10 – 16 June (6 days): £4,295 per rod – good trout fishing, nymphs & dries
17 – 21 July (4 days): £3,610 per rod – fresh salmon and trout
21 – 25 July (4 days): £3,610 per rod – fresh salmon and trout
25 – 29 July (4 days): £3,610 per rod – fresh salmon and trout
5 – 9 August (4 days): £4,330 per rod – prime salmon and trout
9 – 13 August (4 days): £4,330 per rod – prime salmon and trout
3 – 7 September (4 days): £3,610 per rod – salmon and trout
7 – 11 September (4 days): £3,610 per rod – salmon and trout
Svalbarðsá & Hofsá
A fantastic opportunity to combine these two famous rivers for some back end fishing for large salmon.
4 – 10 September: £8,550 per rod
Miðfjarðará
One of Iceland’s top fly fishing rivers, it offers amazing sight fishing opportunities in gin clear water. The river is perfect for those that like to use single or small double-handed rods with floating line and small flies or hitch-tubes. The main run of the river is predominantly made up of grilse but in the early season the majority of fish tend to be multi-sea-winter fish in the 10 to 18 lb range. Maximum 10 rods per week, each enjoying single, en-suite rooms as standard in the newly renovated and comfortable lodge but early season weeks can be limited to 6 and 8 rods. Prime time is mid-July to early August.
Various availability in 2017, enquire for more details.
We are all fully aware that salmon fishing in Iceland is not cheap. It has always been one of the more expensive options worldwide, especially when looking at prime time on many of the rivers which commands a premium. What many don’t realise is that the lodges are all set up for anglers to share a rod. Learn more HERE.
Already going to Iceland and want to add an extra day or three days is too long? Why not take a day trip out of Reykjavik? We can offer various day trips for those looking to be based in the capital, Reykjavik for salmon, brown trout, Arctic char and sea trout. There are numerous hotels, guesthouses and apartments to provide the level of accommodation you are looking for. From this base you can be collected after breakfast and be out on the water in under an hour in many cases and return to your accommodation in time for dinner. For more information click HERE.
Missed our Iceland Brochure, view it online HERE.
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.